Changes in weather persistence: Insight from Inuit knowledge

Mapping Human Dimensions of Climate Change Research in the Canadian Arctic

“…In particular, aspects of TK that relate to ecosystems and human interactions with the environment have been utilized to document and examine changes in environmental conditions (Laidler and Ikummaq 2008;Laidler and Elee 2008;Gearheard et al 2010;Weatherhead et al 2010). Other studies have conducted theoretical examinations of how knowledge systems evolve in light of a changing climate (Laidler 2006;Bravo 2009); and used TK to examine how human-environmental interactions have changed over time and identify opportunities for adaptation intervention (Laidler 2006;Mallory et al 2006;Meier et al 2006;Ford 2008Ford , 2009bFord et al 2006aFord et al , b, 2008aFord et al , b, 2009Laidler and Elee 2008;Mahoney et al 2009;Pearce et al 2009).…”

Culture, law, risk and governance: contexts of traditional knowledge in climate change adaptation

“…The hunters used multiple traditional observations (lack of formation of seasonal ice crusts, changes in snow forms used as navigational aids, animal behavior and sea-ice conditions to conclude that the wind was becoming less persistent and predictable. These observations were not supported by the research station, which recorded no significant changes in wind direction or wind persistence in northeast winds (Weatherhead et al 2010).…”

“…In one study from the Clyde River, in Nunavut in the Canadian Arctic, scientists spent years collecting weather data (Weatherhead et al 2010). Inuit hunters had reported significant changes in wind persistence (likelihood that wind conditions 1 day are followed by similar conditions the following day).…”

“…A significant difference was in what was that hourly measurements of mean wind intensity were limited compared to the needs of hunters who were most interested in changes in snow conditions and wind, any shift in which can mean the difference between life and death if the weather signs are misinterpreted (Weatherhead et al 2010). Ranges of wind direction and associated sea and ice phenomena matter much more to hunters than means.…”

Detection and Attribution of Observed Impacts

“…To test Inuit observations, scientists analyzing hourly temperature data over a 50-year period confirmed that afternoon temperatures fluctuated much more during springtime during the last 20 years-precisely when Inuit forecasters noted unpredictability-than they had during the previous 30 years (Weatherhead et al, 2010).…”