Annie Feidt, Alaska’s Energy Desk

The weather has been beautiful in Southeast Alaska for two weeks straight. And that is very unusual. Sept. and Oct. are normally the rainiest months in the region.

For the first time since February, the statewide temperature index for Alaska dipped below normal earlier this week.

Residents across the Kenai Peninsula will soon vote on whether Homer Electric Association can operate without rate oversight from the Regulatory Commission of Alaska.

The blob is back. The term was coined a few years ago to describe a warm patch of water in the Gulf of Alaska and Northern Pacific Ocean that can turn the weather warm and dry in the state.

Residents of a tiny Kenai Peninsula subdivision near Anchor Point thought they had a little slice of peace and quiet. But a tract of homestead land to the south held an oil test well. And now it’s home to 38 acres of an active oil well, processing train, natural gas flare, workers’ camp, truck filling station and a five-story rig that is about to start drilling 30 more wells.

Arctic Sea ice retreated to it’s second lowest level on record this summer. Scientists announced today the ice likely reached its lowest extent on Sept. 10.

Tuesday marked the 200th day in a row of above normal temperatures for Alaska. Even in a string of unusually warm years for the state, that’s a remarkable run.

From underneath the roads to inside our homes, insulation is everywhere in Alaska. But traditional foam board is energy intensive to produce and often ends up as plastic litter in oceans and waterways. A group of researchers at the University of Alaska Anchorage are working to develop an environmentally friendly alternative.

Nine communities around the state broke daily high temperature records Tuesday, including Kenai at 71 degrees, Bethel at 72 degrees and Anchorage at 74.

Around the world, twice a day, everyday, more than 700 weather balloons launch into the air. 14 of those balloons are released across Alaska, tracking things like temperature, humidity and wind speed.