The Northern Climate Observer

The Northern
Climate Observer

Each month we analyze posts submitted to LEO Network from areas above 54 degrees north latitude. It is our way of reading the tea leaves, trying to understand signals from recent environmental events across the circumpolar north. Some of the articles are sentinel events that stand alone as a novel occurrence, while others have resonance and may contribute to our understanding about larger trends. We look at the category stats assigned to each post, to help qualify the stronger signals. It is a small sample, and Alaska weighted, but hopefully our ability to gather, share and interpret events from all around the north will improve in the months ahead. For August, there are a few stand out events in Alaska we are featuring. The first provides an indication of the changes in the seasonality, frequency and intensity of ocean storms that are increasingly impacting Western Alaska. Storms in August are unusual. Three consecutive bringing high water, flooding and record winds is unprecedented. The summer flooding and rain sets the stage for more extreme river and coastal erosion in the weeks ahead. Also of special note is the fatal Ketchikan landslide. See in the 'related articles' more on the landslides that have occurred across Southeast Alaska in recent years. The puzzler is that this landslide occurred not after an extreme rain or wind event, but instead at the tail end of a relatively dry period, raising new questions about the drivers for landslides and community vulnerability. Finally, please see article by Seth Kantner about the failure of the Kotzebue Sound chum salmon fishery. Kotzebue has reported changes in the timing of the chum salmon runs in years past, but with less than a 10% return, the change is unexpected and the impact on fisheries and subsistence, unprecedented. See also articles about the August events from Nunavut, NWT, Iceland and Finland. Mike Brubaker, Editor

	Third consecutive Bering Sea storm touches down on Alaska's west coast Nome, Alaska, United States Evan Erickson, KYUK - Bethel / Alaska Public Media / August 21, 2024 Meteorologists say the brunt of the storm is likely headed for the southern edge of the Seward Peninsula. Read article on Alaska Public Media
	1 person killed in Ketchikan landslide, multiple homes destroyed Ketchikan, Alaska, United States Jack Darrell, KRBD - Ketchikan / Alaska Public Media / August 26, 2024 A landslide in Ketchikan resulted in one fatality, multiple destroyed homes, and ongoing emergency responses, following heavy rainfall. Read article on Alaska Public Media
	Wondering where the fish have gone Kotzebue, Alaska, United States Seth Kantner / Anchorage Daily News / September 7, 2024 With a bleak salmon return this year in Northwest Alaska, a lifelong fisherman reflects on a season marked by empty nets and big questions. Read article on Anchorage Daily News
	Heatwave hits Nunavut with ‘astounding’ temperatures Baker Lake, Nunavut, Canada Nunatsiaq News / Nunatsiaq News / August 8, 2024 A heatwave is hitting Kitikmeot and Kivalliq communities this week bringing temperatures above 30 C (86 F), twice as high as the average temperature for these regions at this time of year. Read article on Nunatsiaq News
	Blue-green algae bloom found in Yellowknife not toxic, government says Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada CBC / September 3, 2024 The N.W.T.'s Department of Environment and Climate Change and the Canadian Coast Guard tested samples from various locations in the area. The results showed no toxins present. Read article on CBC
	Concern Over Plummeting Ptarmigan Population Northern Iceland Yelena / Iceland Review / August 19, 2024 This breeding season for ptarmigans has been the fourth worst on record in northern Iceland, due in part to a June snowstorm. Read article on Iceland Review
	Red skies over Finland as Canadian wildfire smoke arrives Finland Yle / August 20, 2024 The smoke particles have already reached high into the atmosphere, so they won't cause health problems or unusual odours. The most colourful sunset is expected on Tuesday evening. Read article on Yle

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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Northern Climate Observer

The Northern
Climate Observer