On thin ice: the brutal cold of Canada’s Arctic was once a defence, but a warming climate has changed that

The Arctic's extreme cold has left Canadian military aircraft unable to find suitable ice for transport in early February, despite reports of unusually warm weather. Meanwhile, climate change is reshaping the region, making it harder for northern communities and troops alike to adapt. The harsh winter has also strengthened the tundra as a natural barrier, while fluctuating temperatures are threatening fragile Indigenous settlements and throwing off travel routes. Lessons learned from these challenges highlight the need for resilience in extreme conditions.