Iqaluit (Jun 19/06) - Environment Canada's temperature report confirms what hunters in Nunavut already know.

"Holy smokes man, really weird weather," said Kugluktuk hunter Owen Avakana.

A mild winter and warm spring caused ice around Kugluktuk to break up a month earlier than normal. It also meant birds and caribou were out earlier, and hunters, too.

Spring temperatures were up an average 4.2C above normal in the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot according to Environment Canada's weather office. The previous record was 3.5C above normal set in 1953.

"When you get to 0.7C that's a significant increase," said Bob Whitewood, a climatologist with Environment Canada.

Temperatures across the country are up 1.5C in the last 60 years, Whitewood said, due in part to warming oceans but also because of climate change.

All told, it's no surprise Nunavummiut saw early signs of spring, including the early break-up of sea ice, Whitewood said.

The warm weather has continued, with temperatures last week reaching a balmy 22C in Baker Lake and 21C in Kugluktuk.

Of course the warm weather brings something else.

"The bugs are early, too," Avakana said.