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://alaskaclimate.substack.com/
Alaska and Arctic Climate Newsletter: https://alaskaclimate.substack.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
In December 2025, the #SeaIce global extent was 9% below 1991-2020 mean. Since the beginning of records (1978):
- #Arctic, 1st lowest monthly mean, with 9% less extent (-1,130,503km²)
- #Antarctic, 7th lowest monthly mean, with 10% less exent (-1,090,481km²)
more: osi-saf.eumetsat.int/sea-ice-index
- #Arctic, 1st lowest monthly mean, with 9% less extent (-1,130,503km²)
- #Antarctic, 7th lowest monthly mean, with 10% less exent (-1,090,481km²)
more: osi-saf.eumetsat.int/sea-ice-index
January 6, 2026 at 1:50 PM
In December 2025, the #SeaIce global extent was 9% below 1991-2020 mean. Since the beginning of records (1978):
- #Arctic, 1st lowest monthly mean, with 9% less extent (-1,130,503km²)
- #Antarctic, 7th lowest monthly mean, with 10% less exent (-1,090,481km²)
more: osi-saf.eumetsat.int/sea-ice-index
- #Arctic, 1st lowest monthly mean, with 9% less extent (-1,130,503km²)
- #Antarctic, 7th lowest monthly mean, with 10% less exent (-1,090,481km²)
more: osi-saf.eumetsat.int/sea-ice-index
Reposted by Rick Thoman
So far today, and it is still snowing, Anchorage received more snow than last Dec, Jan, and Feb combined (4.6")! @alaskawx.bsky.social
January 6, 2026 at 3:06 AM
So far today, and it is still snowing, Anchorage received more snow than last Dec, Jan, and Feb combined (4.6")! @alaskawx.bsky.social
Reposted by Rick Thoman
How has the Arctic sea-ice extent changed since 1979?
* large intraannual variabilities
* large interannual variabilities
* however, a clear long-term negative trend is evident for any day of the year.
* large intraannual variabilities
* large interannual variabilities
* however, a clear long-term negative trend is evident for any day of the year.
January 5, 2026 at 9:27 PM
How has the Arctic sea-ice extent changed since 1979?
* large intraannual variabilities
* large interannual variabilities
* however, a clear long-term negative trend is evident for any day of the year.
* large intraannual variabilities
* large interannual variabilities
* however, a clear long-term negative trend is evident for any day of the year.
Reposted by Rick Thoman
December 2025 around the Arctic featured very large departures from normal in both directions in ERA5 courtesy @copernicusecmwf.bsky.social. Much of Alaska/NW Canada were quite cold, while far northeast Russia, Greenland and Svalbard areas were far warmer than normal. #Arctic #Climate #Winter2026
January 5, 2026 at 3:32 AM
December 2025 around the Arctic featured very large departures from normal in both directions in ERA5 courtesy @copernicusecmwf.bsky.social. Much of Alaska/NW Canada were quite cold, while far northeast Russia, Greenland and Svalbard areas were far warmer than normal. #Arctic #Climate #Winter2026
Reposted by Rick Thoman
Today is the 10th straight day with a low of -45F or colder in Fairbanks (will end today). This ties for 6th longest streak on record. 8 days in a row with a high of -36F or lower is also good for a 6th place tie (ended yesterday). @alaskawx.bsky.social
January 5, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Today is the 10th straight day with a low of -45F or colder in Fairbanks (will end today). This ties for 6th longest streak on record. 8 days in a row with a high of -36F or lower is also good for a 6th place tie (ended yesterday). @alaskawx.bsky.social
High and low temperatures (ºF) in and around Alaska on Sunday. While most areas were very cold, the lower Alaska Peninsula and Aleutians/Pribilofs were mild, including a daily record high at Cold Bay. No daily record lows set at any long term climate site. #akwx #weather @climatologist49.bsky.social
January 5, 2026 at 4:22 PM
High and low temperatures (ºF) in and around Alaska on Sunday. While most areas were very cold, the lower Alaska Peninsula and Aleutians/Pribilofs were mild, including a daily record high at Cold Bay. No daily record lows set at any long term climate site. #akwx #weather @climatologist49.bsky.social
Low temperatures (ºC) in and around Alaska on Sunday. Really cold except for the lower Alaska Peninsula and Aleutians/Pribilofs. #akwx #ytwx #weather @explorenorth.bsky.social @jkanadisk.bsky.social
January 5, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Low temperatures (ºC) in and around Alaska on Sunday. Really cold except for the lower Alaska Peninsula and Aleutians/Pribilofs. #akwx #ytwx #weather @explorenorth.bsky.social @jkanadisk.bsky.social
Reposted by Rick Thoman
As harrowing as it is to drive through the snow maze, it’s very whimsical to walk through…
January 5, 2026 at 2:45 AM
As harrowing as it is to drive through the snow maze, it’s very whimsical to walk through…
Eight Alaska upper air soundings missed Sunday afternoon. 😡 #weather #akwx @climatologist49.bsky.social @wxmanms1.bsky.social
January 5, 2026 at 6:08 AM
Eight Alaska upper air soundings missed Sunday afternoon. 😡 #weather #akwx @climatologist49.bsky.social @wxmanms1.bsky.social
Reposted by Rick Thoman
December 2025 precipitation percentage of normal.
January 5, 2026 at 5:47 AM
December 2025 precipitation percentage of normal.
December 2025 in the Yukon Territory was the easily the coldest December since 1980, 9ºC below the 1991-2020 baseline average. Coldest any month since Jan 1996. ERA5 data courtesy @copernicusecmwf.bsky.social. #ytwx #Canada @explorenorth.bsky.social @jkanadisk.bsky.social @evaholland.bsky.social
January 5, 2026 at 4:06 AM
December 2025 in the Yukon Territory was the easily the coldest December since 1980, 9ºC below the 1991-2020 baseline average. Coldest any month since Jan 1996. ERA5 data courtesy @copernicusecmwf.bsky.social. #ytwx #Canada @explorenorth.bsky.social @jkanadisk.bsky.social @evaholland.bsky.social
December 2025 around the Arctic featured very large departures from normal in both directions in ERA5 courtesy @copernicusecmwf.bsky.social. Much of Alaska/NW Canada were quite cold, while far northeast Russia, Greenland and Svalbard areas were far warmer than normal. #Arctic #Climate #Winter2026
January 5, 2026 at 3:32 AM
December 2025 around the Arctic featured very large departures from normal in both directions in ERA5 courtesy @copernicusecmwf.bsky.social. Much of Alaska/NW Canada were quite cold, while far northeast Russia, Greenland and Svalbard areas were far warmer than normal. #Arctic #Climate #Winter2026
Through 3pm AKST Sunday, the daily high temperature at Fairbanks airport has been -46F (-43.3C). IF this hold until midnight, it would be the lowest daily high temperature since December 1977. #akwx #weather #Cold @leahwrenn.bsky.social @carrieinfbx.bsky.social @themattphelps.bsky.social
January 5, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Through 3pm AKST Sunday, the daily high temperature at Fairbanks airport has been -46F (-43.3C). IF this hold until midnight, it would be the lowest daily high temperature since December 1977. #akwx #weather #Cold @leahwrenn.bsky.social @carrieinfbx.bsky.social @themattphelps.bsky.social
Reposted by Rick Thoman
Some clips from this summer on the Gulkana Glacier in the Eastern Alaska Range. Such a beautiful area!
Info about the area in my Alaska Guide: www.lwpetersen.com/alaska-guide...
#Alaska #hiking #glacier
Info about the area in my Alaska Guide: www.lwpetersen.com/alaska-guide...
#Alaska #hiking #glacier
January 4, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Some clips from this summer on the Gulkana Glacier in the Eastern Alaska Range. Such a beautiful area!
Info about the area in my Alaska Guide: www.lwpetersen.com/alaska-guide...
#Alaska #hiking #glacier
Info about the area in my Alaska Guide: www.lwpetersen.com/alaska-guide...
#Alaska #hiking #glacier
Sea ice extent in the Bering Sea increased during the past week but remains below the 1991-2020 median in NSIDC data. Ice extent on the Russian side of the northern Bering Sea is especially low. #akwx #Arctic #SeaIce @hanners64n.bsky.social
January 4, 2026 at 6:35 PM
Sea ice extent in the Bering Sea increased during the past week but remains below the 1991-2020 median in NSIDC data. Ice extent on the Russian side of the northern Bering Sea is especially low. #akwx #Arctic #SeaIce @hanners64n.bsky.social
Sunday morning low temperatures through 9am AKST:
Chicken: -63F (-52.8C)
Tok: -60F (-51.1C)
Northway: -59F (-50.6C)
Beaver Crk, YT: -57F (-49.7C)
Eagle Airport: -56F (-48.9C)
Dawson, YT: -56F (-48.7C)
Ft. Yukon: -55F (-48.3C)
Nenana: -54F (-47.8C)
Fairbanks Airport: -50F (-50.6C)
#Cold #akwx #ytwx
Chicken: -63F (-52.8C)
Tok: -60F (-51.1C)
Northway: -59F (-50.6C)
Beaver Crk, YT: -57F (-49.7C)
Eagle Airport: -56F (-48.9C)
Dawson, YT: -56F (-48.7C)
Ft. Yukon: -55F (-48.3C)
Nenana: -54F (-47.8C)
Fairbanks Airport: -50F (-50.6C)
#Cold #akwx #ytwx
January 4, 2026 at 6:09 PM
January 4, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Reposted by Rick Thoman
Low temperatures in Anchorage this morning. Only early Feb 2024 was colder in the last 15 years. @alaskawx.bsky.social
January 4, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Low temperatures in Anchorage this morning. Only early Feb 2024 was colder in the last 15 years. @alaskawx.bsky.social
High temperatures (ºF) in and around Alaska on Saturday. Very cold except for the lower Alaska Peninsula and Aleutians. No daily record lows but statewide likely the coldest day since late January 2012. #akwx #weather @climatologist49.bsky.social
January 4, 2026 at 4:55 PM
High temperatures (ºF) in and around Alaska on Saturday. Very cold except for the lower Alaska Peninsula and Aleutians. No daily record lows but statewide likely the coldest day since late January 2012. #akwx #weather @climatologist49.bsky.social
Reposted by Rick Thoman
The average temperature at the Fairbanks Intl Airport the last 7 days is -43.7F. This is the coldest week in Fairbanks since Dec, 1975 (-47.1). Also, it hit -50F this morning for the first time this season. @alaskawx.bsky.social
January 4, 2026 at 4:03 PM
The average temperature at the Fairbanks Intl Airport the last 7 days is -43.7F. This is the coldest week in Fairbanks since Dec, 1975 (-47.1). Also, it hit -50F this morning for the first time this season. @alaskawx.bsky.social
Reposted by Rick Thoman
Reposted by Rick Thoman
The coldest December of the 21st century (so far) for Alaska is in the rearview mirror. I've got an early look at the month posted in the Alaska and Arctic Climate Outlook newsletter. #akwx #Climate #Winter2026 #Cold @climatologist49.bsky.social
alaskaclimate.substack.com/p/alaska-dec...
alaskaclimate.substack.com/p/alaska-dec...
January 4, 2026 at 4:13 AM
The coldest December of the 21st century (so far) for Alaska is in the rearview mirror. I've got an early look at the month posted in the Alaska and Arctic Climate Outlook newsletter. #akwx #Climate #Winter2026 #Cold @climatologist49.bsky.social
alaskaclimate.substack.com/p/alaska-dec...
alaskaclimate.substack.com/p/alaska-dec...
The coldest December of the 21st century (so far) for Alaska is in the rearview mirror. I've got an early look at the month posted in the Alaska and Arctic Climate Outlook newsletter. #akwx #Climate #Winter2026 #Cold @climatologist49.bsky.social
alaskaclimate.substack.com/p/alaska-dec...
alaskaclimate.substack.com/p/alaska-dec...
January 4, 2026 at 4:13 AM
The coldest December of the 21st century (so far) for Alaska is in the rearview mirror. I've got an early look at the month posted in the Alaska and Arctic Climate Outlook newsletter. #akwx #Climate #Winter2026 #Cold @climatologist49.bsky.social
alaskaclimate.substack.com/p/alaska-dec...
alaskaclimate.substack.com/p/alaska-dec...
Reposted by Rick Thoman
For two full minutes at 11:42, the orb of the sun returned in the notch between Polar Bear and Eagle Peaks. #GrowingDays
#AlaskaSky
#Greatland
#AlaskaSky
#Greatland
January 3, 2026 at 8:58 PM
For two full minutes at 11:42, the orb of the sun returned in the notch between Polar Bear and Eagle Peaks. #GrowingDays
#AlaskaSky
#Greatland
#AlaskaSky
#Greatland
Reposted by Rick Thoman
Kind of weird to be thinking about buying seeds for spring when this is the current temperature. Thankfully it should warm up in a few days. #DawsonCity #Yukon
January 4, 2026 at 3:05 AM
Kind of weird to be thinking about buying seeds for spring when this is the current temperature. Thankfully it should warm up in a few days. #DawsonCity #Yukon