Iqaluit rain 'just won't stop,' causes flooding in parts of city

The persistent rainfall in Iqaluitthis month, whichis already double the average for July, is now causing closures and floodingin some areas.

The City ofIqaluitissued an emergency closure Friday morning of the Bypass Road in Apex. It'sshut downuntil further notice, due to overflow fromthe Apex River.The road is only open foremergency vehicles.

Iqaluithad no rainfor the first week ofJuly, but since July 9 the rainfall has been persistent, save for two days, says Environment Canada'ssenior climatologist DavePhillips.

And the rainfall this weekis breaking records.

From Thursday afternoon to Friday morning, approximately 72 millimetres of rain has fallen,says Phillips. The entire month of July typically seesabout 52 millimetres.

"So you've had in one day what you see in one month," saidPhillips.

The total amount for the month so far is 117 millimetres, and the rain isexpected to keep falling.

"It's a weather system that's just hanging out like an unwanted house guest and just won't leave," saidPhillips.

"It just keeps on raining and raining and just won't stop."

Phillips says the rain is not accompanied by thunderstorms.

"It's stationary, it's sluggish, it's slow moving," saidPhillips, who addedthat the heat and humidity from the southeast and southwestis helping to feed the moisture.