Climate Watch
Much of mainland Alaska had one of the coldest winters in decades, capped off by the coldest March ever in some places.
The Bering Strait region from about Golovin westward was spared the sustained...
The big story for Climate Watch this week is sea ice extent in the Bering Sea. While not at the high levels seen in spring 1976 and 2012 (there's less ice this winter in Russian waters), in the past...
Following a cold and dry March, NOAA's climate outlook for April slightly favors above normal temperatures and above normal precipitation for western Alaska.
The only regional exception is St....
This month NOAA began using a new index to track El Niño and La Niña in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. These names describe distinct patterns of tropical Pacific rainfall and winds are a factor in...
By Rick Thoman
Alaska Climate Specialist
Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness
International Arctic Research Center/University of Alaska Fairbanks
During the fall and winter we...
By Rick Thoman
Alaska Climate Specialist
Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness
International Arctic Research Center/University of Alaska Fairbanks
January was unusually dry in...
Last week on Climate Watch we looked at a snapshot of Bering Sea ice extent. This week we look at the elevation of the ice extent so far this season.
Autumn ice extent was characteristically low,...
Lower temperatures and sustained north winds have pushed sea ice southward on the Alaska side of the Bering Sea, while mild temperatures for mid-winter and frequent south winds have kept ice extent...
Many parts of Alaska were hit with high impact weather in 2025, but Nome and most of western Alaska were comparatively spared.
Early in the year, the break-off of shore fast ice in front of Nome...
By Rick Thoman
Alaska Climate Specialist
Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness
International Arctic Research Center/University of Alaska Fairbanks
“How is storminess changing in...