The Northern Climate Observer

The Northern
Climate Observer

Snow or Ice The low snowfall this month has been a disappointment in many areas. But in the north if you cannot travel by snow, you travel by ice. The conditions in Kilpisjärvi, Finland (see feature article) are ideal for long distance skating. This story reminded me of another from February of 2018. The 'Sounds of Skating' video features a Swedish mathematician that applies science and local knowledge to determine the ideal ice conditions for skating on thin ice and for making the river sing. Enjoy! Mike Brubaker, Editor

	Watch: Skaters glide on mirror-like ice Kilpisjärvi, Lapland, Finland Yle Uutiset / December 12, 2020 Scientists measured 16 centimeters of snow in Kilpisjärvi on Thursday, which is far less than the average depth of 39 centimeters for this time of year, according to Siiskonen. Less of the white stuff than usual, creating unusual opportunities for long-distance skating enthusiasts. Read article on Yle Uutiset
	Sounds of Skating on Thin Ice Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden Marten Ajne / National Geographic / February 9, 2018 This small lake outside Stockholm, Sweden, emits otherworldly sounds as Mårten Ajne skates over its precariously thin, black ice. Read article on National Geographic
	The Northern Sea Route saw a record number of ships transit in 2020 Jonathan Saul / ArcticToday / December 9, 2020 Ships sailing through the Arctic region's busiest lane along the Siberian coast made the highest number of trips on record this year as a quicker-than-expected melting of ice enabled more traffic. Read article on ArcticToday
	How tall tundra shrubs reveal the hidden presence of permanently thawed tundra soil Yereth Rosen / ArcticToday / December 14, 2020 Talik is ground that is thawed year-round. Now some Alaska scientists have found that were there are tall shrubs above the ground, there is likely to be talik below ground. Read article on ArcticToday
	Changing climate means more landslides in future, scientists say in wake of Haines disaster Haines, Alaska, United States Chilkat Valley News / Chilkat Valley News / December 3, 2020 The region is prime landslide territory and a changing climate - trending toward warmer, rainier winters - is likely to increase the frequency of slides in the future. Read article on Chilkat Valley News
	Russia Investigates Mystery Seal Die-off Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia AFP - Agence France Presse / Barrons / December 11, 2020 Russian authorities are investigating the mysterious death of nearly 300 endangered seals that had been discovered washed up on the shores of the Caspian Sea. 272 dead Caspian seals have been found at a number of locations in the southern region of Dagestan. Read article on Barrons

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.

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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.

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The NorthernClimate Observer

Northern Climate Observer

The Northern
Climate Observer