The Northern Climate Observer

The Northern
Climate Observer

Off to a Stormy Start February has continued the string of impressive weather that has so far defined 2022. In early February, blizzards and hurricane winds had residents hunkering down from Alaska to Iceland. In Nome the wind picked up and did not let off for days. On February 1st, the shore ice broke and sailed away bringing open water to the Bering Sea coast. In Clyde River, officials made an emergency declaration after days of blizzard conditions buried the town and interrupted critical services such as water delivery. No wonder our stats show "Snow and Ice Change" as the most common event. Meanwhile in Iceland, hurricane winds caused power outages across the country and delivered amazing ocean waves along the south coast. The largest measuring 40 meters! Speaking of smooth sailing, see story on the first full scale hydrogen powered ferry to operate in Norway. With any luck passengers will cross the water between Bodø and Lofoten as early as 2025! Mike Brubaker, Editor

	Uncommonly consistent, strong winds rip through Western Alaska Nome, Alaska, United States KNOM Radio Mission / February 4, 2022 These windy conditions have started to negatively impact sea ice coverage in the Bering Strait. Based on satellite imagery and observations from residents across the region, more open water has started to appear along coastlines and thicker ice has been pushed around, climatologist Rick Thoman said. He noted that sea ice conditions are drastically different in the Bering Strait than they were five days ago. Read article on KNOM Radio Mission
	Ongoing blizzards prompt state of emergency in Clyde River, Nunavut Clyde River, Nunavut, Canada CBC / February 11, 2022 A buildup of snow is hampering the hamlet's ability to deliver municipal services, like snow clearing and trucked water. Read article on CBC
	Extreme Weather Across Iceland Causes Power Outages and Damage Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland Iceland Review / February 7, 2022 A winter storm caused power outages and property damage across Iceland. Winds reached speeds of 40 meters per second (89 mph) in the Southwest region, though precipitation was less than forecasted. See related article: A total of ten waves of 25 meters high and four waves over 30 meters high were recorded. A 40 m wave was the highest recorded since 1990. Read article on Iceland Review
	Kotzebue weather swings wildly between cold snap, snow Kotzebue, Alaska, United States Alena Naiden / Arctic Sounder / January 27, 2022 With cold air, light winds, and clear skies, Kotzebue weather dropped to 44 degrees below zero on Jan. 19 - the lowest temperature in nearly 10 years. The low temperature was followed by a late evening high of 6 above zero. The only greater calendar day increase in the city happened on Feb 18, 2009. Read article on Arctic Sounder
	High winds cause Alaska Airlines jet to slide on icy Dillingham runway Dillingham, Alaska, United States Isabelle Ross / Bristol Bay Times / January 27, 2022 On Sunday, a gust of wind unexpectedly hit an Alaska Airlines jet on the Dillingham runway as it was preparing to taxi from the terminal, causing it to slide on the icy tarmac. Read article on Bristol Bay Times
	How a single winter rainstorm in Interior Alaska could wreak havoc on animals and their habitats Anchorage Daily News / January 15, 2022 An inch of rain in late December left a sheet of ice around Fairbanks that is altering life for a bevy of species. Read article on Anchorage Daily News
	Signed Contract Worth Billions for Operating Hydrogen Ferries between Bodø and Lofoten: “World Class Climate Project” Bodø, Nordland, Norway TRINE JONASSEN / High North News / The Norwegian Public Roads Administration and Torghatten Nord have signed an agreement on Norway’s first full-scale hydrogen ferry which allows for CO2 emission cuts equaling 13,000 diesel-fueled cars per year. Read article on High North News

The Northern Climate Observer is published by the Center for Climate and Health. We track news coverage from across the circumpolar north and provide readers with a curated roundup of climate change related events. Thank you for reading our newsletter and for paying attention to our changing world.

Please forward this newsletter or share it on social media. Join the LEO Network to share your own stories of environmental change.

You may subscribe or unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking here.

Northern Climate Observer

The Northern Climate Observer is published weekly by the Center for Climate and Health. We track news from across the circumpolar north and provide readers with a curated roundup of climate change related events.

Explore Posts

Submit a Post

Directory

About

My LEO

The NorthernClimate Observer

Northern Climate Observer

The Northern
Climate Observer