June 2013 in Fairbanks was third warmest on record
June in Fairbanks was warmer than normal, with a monthly mean temperature of 66.8 degrees Fahrenheit or 6.4 degrees above the long-term mean for the month. Only four days had a negative deviation from the normal. The highest temperature occurred the 25th and 26th, a sweltering 92 degrees was observed on both days. A new daily maximum record was set on the 25th, which broke the 1983 record by one degree.
Where do climate projections come from?
Down scaling marries high-resolution data from local weather stations on temperature and precipitation (left) with coarse data on global climate change (right) to make more precise predictions for a certain area.
Photo Credit: The Program for Climate Model Diagnosis and Intercomparison (PCMDI); the WCRP's Working Group on Coupled Modeling
In Alaska, our lives revolve around the weather. When it comes to predicting conditions like temperature, snow and rain, the best glimpse into the future comes from climate models.
But standard climate models are very broad—looking at how global climate will be affected by things like escalating carbon dioxide emissions.
In a land of permafrost, icefields, massive mountain ranges and rainforest, a more nuanced prediction is helpful. For example, will it get rainier in the North Slope over the next few decades? When might Southcentral’s epic snow dumps turn to rain?
Alaska Science Forum: Predicting the future: where do climate projections come from?
By molly [dot] rettig [at] gi [dot] alaska [dot] edu (Molly Rettig)
In Alaska, our lives revolve around the weather. When it comes to predicting conditions like temperature, snow and rain, the best glimpse into the future comes from climate models.
Science and service: GI's Freymueller and Cahill named 2013 Usibelli winners
The University of Alaska Fairbanks has announced recipients of the 2013 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching, Research and Public Service Awards.
UNITE US showcased at 2013 National Science Teacher Association Conference
Teachers and staff participating in UNITE US, a U.S. Department of Education funded program developed by staff at the Geophysical Institute, attended the 2013 National Science Teachers Association Conference in San Antonio, Texas last week.
Alaska Science Forum: The year without a summer
By nrozell [at] gi [dot] alaska [dot] edu (Ned Rozell)
An April snowstorm whirling outside my window today seems to be announcing the postponement of spring. As I sit here watching the show, it makes me think back to the shortest summer ever.
