Summary of Yukon Geological Survey permafrost monitoring network results, 2008-2013

Up to six years of data have been collected at seven stations within Yukon Geological Survey’s permafrost monitoring network between 2008 and 2013. Warm permafrost conditions (>-0.5°C) governed by latent heat effects exist at the Whitehorse, Watson Lake, Ross River School and Dawson School monitoring stations, while average permafrost temperatures in Faro are only marginally cooler at -0.6°C. Mean annual ground temperatures at the Beaver Creek and the Dawson dump forest monitoring stations are much colder at -2.9 and -2.0°C respectively. Most sites show either insignificant or very slight short term permafrost warming trends, although slight cooling is apparent at Ross River School, and rapid warming has occurred at Beaver Creek over the monitoring period. Opportunities to expand the network and collaborate with external parties operating similar monitoring stations should be further explored to facilitate more complete and representative reporting on the thermal state of permafrost in Yukon.

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Last Updated April 17, 2026, 20:53 (UTC)
Created April 17, 2026, 20:53 (UTC)
contact_email eservices@gov.yk.ca
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open_canada_date_published 2015-01-23 00:00:00
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