Summer heat that is fairly typical in other parts of Canada is a rare phenomenon in Iqaluit, which is in the middle of an Arctic heat wave.

Residents say daytime temperatures consistently above 20 C have never been felt before in the Baffin Island region, where the Nunavut capital is located.

Wednesday's daytime temperatures peaked at 23 C around 1 p.m. ET Wednesday, followed by light rain in the late afternoon. Thursday's forecast calls for clear skies and a temperature of 18 C.

On Monday, the mercury went up to a sizzling 26.8 C, which is the warmest reading on record for the city, Environment Canada said. It broke the previous record for July 21 by about 4 C.

"It's been very interesting and very warm for the last week or so," said Brian Proctor, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.

"We have set record records in Iqaluit on Saturday, Sunday and Monday."

The previous heat record was set on July 29, 2003, when the temperature went up to 26.1 C.

Normal temperatures for this time of year are 12 C during the day and 4 C at night.

Proctor said the soaring temperatures are due to high pressure systems in Ontario and Quebec, and wind blowing from the northwest.

Unlike in the winter months, Proctor said, winds from the northwest blow in hot air in the summer.

Environment Canada is expecting similar temperatures to continue into the weekend.