January Temps In Alaska As High As 40F Above Norm; Rivers Ran Heavy With Melt & Sediment

[hatrack]

Temperatures in Alaska from January 23-30, 2014 as compared to same period average from 2001-2010. Image by: NASA.

Alaska got California weather at the end of January, as displayed by a new map based on data by NASA's Terra satellite's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). The U.S. state experiences one of its warmest winter periods on record during the second half of January, including some temperatures that ran 40 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius) above average. According to the EPA, temperatures in Alaska have risen an average of 3.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 degrees Celsius) in just the last 50 years due to climate change.

Alaska's warm spell was caused by high pressure conditions in the Pacific Ocean, which pushed the warm air and precipitation that usually ends up in California this time of year into the 49th state. The abnormal temperatures brought plenty of rain to Alaska, instead of the normal snow.

"The combination of heat and rain has caused Alaska's rivers to swell and brighten with sediment, creating satellite views reminiscent of spring and summer runoff," writes NASA. Avalanches blocked Richardson Highway while some ski places shut down due to lack of snow.

Alaska has warmed twice as fast as the rest of the U.S. under climate change, and temperatures in winter are rising even more rapidly. According to the EPA, winter temperatures have gone up by 6.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3.5 degrees Celsius) over the last half century.

EDIT

http://news.mongabay.com/2014/0205-hance-alaska-heatwave.html

[notemason]

1. And the permafrost

becomes not so perma and the methane keeps bubbling.

[GliderGuider]

2. "winter temperatures have gone up by 3.5 degrees Celsius over the last half century"

A harbinger for the rest of the planet. We have fucked up the polar jet stream, woe unto us.

[bravenak]

3. A Native lady told me that there's a myth that Alaska is going to become tropical.

While the rest of the world us all messed up. I believe her.