Blizzards in Iqaluit, Nuuk delay Arctic Winter Games travel

Stormy weatherhas led to closures throughout Iqaluit, and will delay travel for athletes heading to the Arctic Winter Games in Nuuk, Greenland.

Environment Canada is forecasting ongoing blizzard conditionsinto Friday evening in Iqaluit with an additional five to 10 centimetres of snowfall expected and winds gusting to 80 km/h.

The storm eased in the early afternoon, prompting Government of Nunavut to reopen its offices. However,hours laterconditionsworsenedand by 4 p.m. the territory'soffices shut downfor the day and theCity of Iqaluitremoved itsvehicles from the roads. Municipal services will resume at 6 a.m. Saturday.

The weather has forced organizers to delay travel to theArctic Winter Games inNuuk, Greenland which is also expecting harsh weather today.

"It was a tough decision with the host society," saidNunavutchef de missionMarieleDePeuter, "to push back the arrive of teamNunavutby 24 hours."

The team will now be leaving March 5, saidDePeuter, who's already inNuuk.

The first flight will leave Yellowknife at 8 a.m. Saturday, then 11:20 fromRankinInlet. They'll meet up in the Baffin to start heading toNuukon Saturday afternoon.

"Because most of the teams have had to push back their arrivals as well, opening ceremonies have been pushed back until Sunday evening,"DePeutersaid.

Team Alberta North and TeamN.W.T. have alsodelayed departures by 24 hours.

All Team Yukon flights leaving Whitehorse remain as scheduled,"chedde mission TrevorTwardochlebconfirmed Friday.

However, the hockey team will not be going toNuukfor the opening ceremonies as originally planned. Instead, the teamswill head straight toIqaluitto prepare for competition, and will be flown toNuuklater.

Twardochlebsuggestsathletes pack carry-on items they may want if there are delays inKangerlussuaq, an air hub in Greenland north ofNuuk.

Iqaluit schools, daycares closed

All Iqaluit schools were closed this morning.Qikiqtani Inuit Associationand Nunavut Tunngavik offices were also closed butreopened at 1 p.m. Services at the Nunavut Court of Justice reopened after it was closed in the morning,however court appearances are adjourned until Monday. The Nunvaut Legislative Assembly reopened, but MLAs are not sitting.

Other closures include:

• All daycares
• Iqaluit Housing Authority
• IndigenousAffairs and Northern Development
• The hospital is open only for emergencies

Iqaluit airport expected to be busy

Even without weather delays, theIqaluit airport is expected to be busy this weekend and next as athletes arrive and depart for the Games, and the Government of Nunavut is warning passengers to be prepared for the congestion.

It saysscheduled passengers will have access to the terminal and airport parking lot, but space will be limited. Athletic teams will receive priority.

On March 11,when athletes return to Canada from Greenland, it says the entire terminal will be required to clear them through customs.

The Arctic Winter Games opening ceremony is Sunday.