Rick Thoman
@alaskawx.bsky.social
Climate specialist with ACCAP/IARC at UAF, highlighting Alaska and Arctic climate, environment & Indigenous cultures. Opinions are my own.
Alaska and Arctic Climate Newsletter: https://alaska-arctic-climate.beehiiv.com
Alaska and Arctic Climate Newsletter: https://alaska-arctic-climate.beehiiv.com
Pinned
Rick Thoman
@alaskawx.bsky.social
· Dec 3
Hot off the digital press: Alaska’s Changing Environment 2.0 is now online! Focused on observations and impacts to Alaskans. From warming air & ocean, ice & snow to salmon & berries. Please check it out. #akwx #Alaska #Climate #ClimateChange @climatologist49.bsky.social
uaf-accap.org/alaskas-chan...
uaf-accap.org/alaskas-chan...
Reposted by Rick Thoman
Dance groups from across the Bering Strait region gathered in Wales last weekend for the Kingikmiut Dance Festival, a three-day event centered on sharing songs and dances that leaders say were absent from some communities for decades.
This year marked the event’s 25th anniversary.
This year marked the event’s 25th anniversary.
'It heals my heart': Dance groups gather in Wales to keep traditions alive
"It feels good to be dancing again," Frank Komonaseak said. "I grew up doing it, and I'm proud of who I am."
www.ktoo.org
September 16, 2026 at 12:10 AM
Dance groups from across the Bering Strait region gathered in Wales last weekend for the Kingikmiut Dance Festival, a three-day event centered on sharing songs and dances that leaders say were absent from some communities for decades.
This year marked the event’s 25th anniversary.
This year marked the event’s 25th anniversary.
Reposted by Rick Thoman
Meanwhile, the driest first 2 week of September for Anchorage since 2018 and the 15th driest overall.
September 15, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Meanwhile, the driest first 2 week of September for Anchorage since 2018 and the 15th driest overall.
Fairbanks Airport as of 1pm AKDT Tuesday up to 2.64 inches (67.1 mm) of rain so far in September, making this the highest precipitation during the first half of September in 101 years (2.95 inches Sep 1-15, 1925). #akwx #Climate @arcticgoddess.bsky.social @leepetersen.bsky.social
September 15, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Fairbanks Airport as of 1pm AKDT Tuesday up to 2.64 inches (67.1 mm) of rain so far in September, making this the highest precipitation during the first half of September in 101 years (2.95 inches Sep 1-15, 1925). #akwx #Climate @arcticgoddess.bsky.social @leepetersen.bsky.social
Flooding in low lying areas in Bethel being reported Tuesday late morning with south winds gusting over 50 mph. Graphic courtesy NWS Alaska-Pacific RFC. #akwx #Autumn2026 @markspringer.bsky.social
September 15, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Flooding in low lying areas in Bethel being reported Tuesday late morning with south winds gusting over 50 mph. Graphic courtesy NWS Alaska-Pacific RFC. #akwx #Autumn2026 @markspringer.bsky.social
Coastal flooding in the Kuskokwim delta Tuesday morning. Forecast for moderate flooding at Kipnuk with this afternoon's high tide. Same region devastated by ex-typhoon Halong last October (but this is not nearly as extreme). #akwx #weather #Flooding @markspringer.bsky.social
September 15, 2026 at 3:29 PM
Coastal flooding in the Kuskokwim delta Tuesday morning. Forecast for moderate flooding at Kipnuk with this afternoon's high tide. Same region devastated by ex-typhoon Halong last October (but this is not nearly as extreme). #akwx #weather #Flooding @markspringer.bsky.social
High temperatures (ºF) in and around Alaska on Monday. Still warm in northern Southeast Alaska and mild for the season in Southcentral and southwest Alaska. Chilly on the North Slope coast, but then again 'tis the season. #akwx #weather @climatologist49.bsky.social
September 15, 2026 at 3:16 PM
High temperatures (ºF) in and around Alaska on Monday. Still warm in northern Southeast Alaska and mild for the season in Southcentral and southwest Alaska. Chilly on the North Slope coast, but then again 'tis the season. #akwx #weather @climatologist49.bsky.social
Reposted by Rick Thoman
St. Paul, AK, airport had 0.50" in 2 hours and 1.06" in 6 hours. Both have about a 10-year recurrence interval. @alaskawx.bsky.social
September 15, 2026 at 1:08 AM
St. Paul, AK, airport had 0.50" in 2 hours and 1.06" in 6 hours. Both have about a 10-year recurrence interval. @alaskawx.bsky.social
Reposted by Rick Thoman
Monday ice update - #Arctic sea ice extent is currently the 10th lowest on record (JAXA data)
• about 90,000 km² above the 2010s mean
• about 1,030,000 km² below the 2000s mean
• about 2,100,000 km² below the 1990s mean
• about 2,780,000 km² below the 1980s mean
More: zacklabe.com/arctic-sea-i...
• about 90,000 km² above the 2010s mean
• about 1,030,000 km² below the 2000s mean
• about 2,100,000 km² below the 1990s mean
• about 2,780,000 km² below the 1980s mean
More: zacklabe.com/arctic-sea-i...
September 14, 2026 at 9:29 PM
Monday ice update - #Arctic sea ice extent is currently the 10th lowest on record (JAXA data)
• about 90,000 km² above the 2010s mean
• about 1,030,000 km² below the 2000s mean
• about 2,100,000 km² below the 1990s mean
• about 2,780,000 km² below the 1980s mean
More: zacklabe.com/arctic-sea-i...
• about 90,000 km² above the 2010s mean
• about 1,030,000 km² below the 2000s mean
• about 2,100,000 km² below the 1990s mean
• about 2,780,000 km² below the 1980s mean
More: zacklabe.com/arctic-sea-i...
Monday morning 855am AKDT view from the top of Sresr Ddhela’ (Ester Dome) looking southeast across Fairbanks and the Tanana Flats beyond. Fog in the Fairbanks bowl is quite dense (quarter mile visibility in places). #akwx #Autumn2026 @leahwrenn.bsky.social @carrieinfbx.bsky.social
September 14, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Monday morning 855am AKDT view from the top of Sresr Ddhela’ (Ester Dome) looking southeast across Fairbanks and the Tanana Flats beyond. Fog in the Fairbanks bowl is quite dense (quarter mile visibility in places). #akwx #Autumn2026 @leahwrenn.bsky.social @carrieinfbx.bsky.social
High temperatures (ºF) in and around Alaska on Sunday. Cooler across the North Slope and Brooks Range. Still warm for mid-September south of the Alaska Range. #akwx #weather @climatologist49.bsky.social
September 14, 2026 at 3:13 PM
High temperatures (ºF) in and around Alaska on Sunday. Cooler across the North Slope and Brooks Range. Still warm for mid-September south of the Alaska Range. #akwx #weather @climatologist49.bsky.social
Reposted by Rick Thoman
A visitor to Nome.. a re-creation of the Amundsen traverse of the NW passage. The Alma af Froya, a pretty close replica of Roald's ship. More here: amundsenadventure.com/alma-af-froya/
September 14, 2026 at 6:04 AM
A visitor to Nome.. a re-creation of the Amundsen traverse of the NW passage. The Alma af Froya, a pretty close replica of Roald's ship. More here: amundsenadventure.com/alma-af-froya/
Reposted by Rick Thoman
The warmth over western Siberia extending into the Kara Sea basin has been very persistent this summer, with temperature anomalies easily more than 5°C above the 1981-2010 average. This is one of the fast changing parts of the #Arctic during the boreal summer season.
Data from ERA5 reanalysis.
Data from ERA5 reanalysis.
September 14, 2026 at 12:05 PM
The warmth over western Siberia extending into the Kara Sea basin has been very persistent this summer, with temperature anomalies easily more than 5°C above the 1981-2010 average. This is one of the fast changing parts of the #Arctic during the boreal summer season.
Data from ERA5 reanalysis.
Data from ERA5 reanalysis.
Sea ice extent in both the Chukchi and Beaufort seas is at the lowest of the season, though it's still the highest for September 12 since 2018 in NSIDC data. The ongoing stormy weather is likely to increase the open water area at least a bit in the next few days. #akwx #Arctic #SeaIce
September 13, 2026 at 5:02 PM
High temperatures (ºF) in and around Alaska on Saturday. Mild for mid-September in most areas. Stormy across northwest Alaska. #akwx #weather @climatologist49.bsky.social
September 13, 2026 at 4:32 PM
High temperatures (ºF) in and around Alaska on Saturday. Mild for mid-September in most areas. Stormy across northwest Alaska. #akwx #weather @climatologist49.bsky.social
Coastal flooding at Utqiaġvik since Saturday evening has closed roads around town. West to southwest winds gusted to almost 60 mph late Saturday but are now diminishing as the storm moved eastward. #akwx #Autumn2026 @climatologist49
September 13, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Coastal flooding at Utqiaġvik since Saturday evening has closed roads around town. West to southwest winds gusted to almost 60 mph late Saturday but are now diminishing as the storm moved eastward. #akwx #Autumn2026 @climatologist49
Reposted by Rick Thoman
In the better late than never department, the Alaska climate summary for August from the Alaska and Arctic Climate Newsletter is now posted: Warm and wet…or dry. On Beehiiv and Substack. #akwx #Climate
alaska-arctic-climate.beehiiv.com/p/alaska-aug...
alaskaclimate.substack.com/p/alaska-aug...
alaska-arctic-climate.beehiiv.com/p/alaska-aug...
alaskaclimate.substack.com/p/alaska-aug...
September 12, 2026 at 7:52 PM
In the better late than never department, the Alaska climate summary for August from the Alaska and Arctic Climate Newsletter is now posted: Warm and wet…or dry. On Beehiiv and Substack. #akwx #Climate
alaska-arctic-climate.beehiiv.com/p/alaska-aug...
alaskaclimate.substack.com/p/alaska-aug...
alaska-arctic-climate.beehiiv.com/p/alaska-aug...
alaskaclimate.substack.com/p/alaska-aug...
Reposted by Rick Thoman
September 12, 2026 at 9:50 PM
Reposted by Rick Thoman
Ship Lake surround by alpine tundra fall colors.
September 12, 2026 at 9:55 PM
Ship Lake surround by alpine tundra fall colors.
The Chukchi Sea at Utqiaġvik cranking up early Saturday afternoon with southwest winds gusting to almost 50 mph. Webcam image from the top of the Bank Building looking north courtesy of the Sea Ice Group at UAF. #akwx #Autumn2026 @climatologist49.bsky.social
September 12, 2026 at 9:09 PM
The Chukchi Sea at Utqiaġvik cranking up early Saturday afternoon with southwest winds gusting to almost 50 mph. Webcam image from the top of the Bank Building looking north courtesy of the Sea Ice Group at UAF. #akwx #Autumn2026 @climatologist49.bsky.social
In the better late than never department, the Alaska climate summary for August from the Alaska and Arctic Climate Newsletter is now posted: Warm and wet…or dry. On Beehiiv and Substack. #akwx #Climate
alaska-arctic-climate.beehiiv.com/p/alaska-aug...
alaskaclimate.substack.com/p/alaska-aug...
alaska-arctic-climate.beehiiv.com/p/alaska-aug...
alaskaclimate.substack.com/p/alaska-aug...
September 12, 2026 at 7:52 PM
In the better late than never department, the Alaska climate summary for August from the Alaska and Arctic Climate Newsletter is now posted: Warm and wet…or dry. On Beehiiv and Substack. #akwx #Climate
alaska-arctic-climate.beehiiv.com/p/alaska-aug...
alaskaclimate.substack.com/p/alaska-aug...
alaska-arctic-climate.beehiiv.com/p/alaska-aug...
alaskaclimate.substack.com/p/alaska-aug...
Reposted by Rick Thoman
High temperatures (ºF) in and around Alaska on Friday. Nearly all of the region had above normal temps for this time of year, with the warmest weather across the Panhandle and southeast mainland Alaska. Rainy in some areas north/west of the Alaska Range. #akwx #weather @climatologist49.bsky.social
September 12, 2026 at 4:34 PM
High temperatures (ºF) in and around Alaska on Friday. Nearly all of the region had above normal temps for this time of year, with the warmest weather across the Panhandle and southeast mainland Alaska. Rainy in some areas north/west of the Alaska Range. #akwx #weather @climatologist49.bsky.social
Reposted by Rick Thoman
The textbook fingerprint of El Niño is now visible in last month's sea surface temperature anomalies. El Niño is not a storm, but a natural pattern of climate variability. This redistribution of heat can influence weather worldwide, but is still hard to clearly disentangle.
Data from OISSTv2.1 🌊
Data from OISSTv2.1 🌊
September 12, 2026 at 2:16 PM
The textbook fingerprint of El Niño is now visible in last month's sea surface temperature anomalies. El Niño is not a storm, but a natural pattern of climate variability. This redistribution of heat can influence weather worldwide, but is still hard to clearly disentangle.
Data from OISSTv2.1 🌊
Data from OISSTv2.1 🌊
Reposted by Rick Thoman
wow what a sunset… and no cruise ships tomorrow
📍sheet’ká, lingít aaní
📍sheet’ká, lingít aaní
September 11, 2026 at 3:25 AM
wow what a sunset… and no cruise ships tomorrow
📍sheet’ká, lingít aaní
📍sheet’ká, lingít aaní
Reposted by Rick Thoman
Fall has hit Alaska interior. Love this time of year but it is far too brief.
September 11, 2026 at 10:59 PM
Fall has hit Alaska interior. Love this time of year but it is far too brief.