Inuvik (Aug 07/06) - Residents around the Beaufort-Delta region are feeling the heat this summer.

Mabel Chicksi, a grandmother from Tuktoyaktuk, said she can't remember the last time it was this hot.

"I've been here since I was a girl, and I've never seen a summer like this," she said.

She said she's been sitting in a sweltering apartment, waiting for the end of August when she hopes things will cool down.

Mabel's granddaughter, Charlene, agreed it has been warmer than usual, but added that's fine by her.

"It's alright once you go outside because there is wind," she said.

Environment Canada reported temperatures have been higher than usual across much of the North this year.

In Tuktoyaktuk, the average temperature for the past month was higher than the historical average by several degrees.

Last Tuesday, for example, the mercury in Tuk climbed all of the way to 24C.

This was 10 degrees hotter than the same day in 2005, when it was just 14C.

"I think it's the first time we have a summer like that," Mabel said.

Temperatures have also been high in Aklavik where residents have been finding some creative ways to stay comfortable.

Last Monday, Trudy Kogiak said her friends Brittany Koe and Dariel Bonnetpoume caught her by surprise with a liquid ambush.

"They attacked me with water!" she said, adding the relief from the heat was appreciated.

On that day, the sun was shining and it was 24C.