Record heat, poor sea ice define ‘weird’ western Alaska winter - KNOM Radio Mission

Record heat, poor sea ice define ‘weird’ western Alaska winter - KNOM Radio Mission

Western Alaska experienced a particularly unusual winter marked by record heat, poor sea ice, persistent open water, and unusually low snowfall — conditions climate specialist Rick Thoman described in one word as “weird.” The venerable climatologist says Nome’s all-time record high of 44 degrees on December 11 stood out to him. The December heatwave was followed by a dry spell that extended through the New Year, leaving large swaths of bare tund…