By Ned Rozell

For many Alaskans, January 1989 is a month that still numbs the mind, because of the cold snap that gripped much of the state for two weeks. In Fairbanks, fan belts under the hoods of cars snapped like pretzels; the ice fog was thick and smothering, and the city came as close as it ever comes to a halt, with many people opting to stay home after their vehicles succumbed to the monster cold.

Atmospheric Sciences Professor Nicole Mölders was re-elected as a member of the Membership Committee for UCAR -- the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. Additionally, the membership of the University of Alaska Fairbanks in UCAR was renewed for the next eight years.

UCAR serves as a hub for research, education and public outreach for the atmospheric and related Earth sciences community. For more information, visit http://www2.ucar.edu/.

A scientific book by GI Professor Nicole Mölders titled "Land-Use and Land-Cover Changes: Impact on Climate and Air Quality" was published by Springer as 
Volume 44 of the Atmospheric and Oceanographic Sciences Library.

Barbara Day, the administrative assistant for Atmospheric Sciences, was chosen as the 2011 recipient of the William R. Cashen Service Award by the UAF Alumni Association.

The Cashen Service Award was created to recognize and perpetuate the example set by its namesake for service to the university and its alumni association.

For most of Alaska, temperatures were below normal this August. Large negative deviations greater than minus 2 degrees Fahrenheit were observed in Juneau (minus 2.8 degrees Fahrenheit), King Salmon (minus 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit) and Nome (minus 2.1 degrees Fahrenheit). Like the previous month, Barrow reported the largest positive deviation with plus 3.2 degrees Fahrenheit. The only other positive deviation of our eight-city summary was Fairbanks with plus 1.1 degree Fahrenheit. 

Despite a minimal population and vast terrain, air quality is a challenge in some Alaska communities. During the winter months, the Interior city of Fairbanks traditionally exceeds the 24 hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard, or the NAAQS. Professor Nicole Mölders of the Geophysical Institute’s Atmospheric Sciences group and doctoral candidate Huy Tran are investigating what causes elevated particulate levels in the community.