Warm conditions in Yukon delays ice road, affecting travel

DAWSON CITY, Yukon – Residents of West Dawson who depend on an ice road to cross a section of the Yukon River are still waiting for the water to freeze.

Thinner ice in some areas and open water have made it impossible to cross the barely 400-metre stretch of river in the community, more than 500 kilometres north of Whitehorse.

Local resident Jesse Cook says drivers can cross a few kilometres away at Sunnydale, or they can go by foot, all-terrain vehicle, snowmobile or even dog team.

The average daytime temperature is usually around -20, but Environment Canada predicts the mercury will remain above freezing this week.

Conditions are expected to become more seasonal soon, as a daytime temperature of -21 is forecast Sunday.