Wildfire activity in the American West is likely to get worse in coming years. A new study out in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences points to the lack of precipitation in the summer as the major driving factor when it comes to increasing fire severity.
Weather
Nearly a year after Maria, Puerto Rico officials claim power is totally restored
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority says all homes without power from the devastating hurricane now have electricity. Other reports say some residents are still waiting.
Wind power will soon heat the homes of Pilot Point residents
Pilot Point is a part of a growing number of rural Alaska communities turning to wind to help heat homes because the cost of diesel is so expensive, especially in the winter.
Juneau residents experienced the warmest July ever recorded
The average July temperature of 61.2 degrees beat out the normal average temperature of 56.9 degrees. Also, it was only the third time ever that an average high temperature for July of over 70 degrees was recorded at the Juneau airport.
When the weather is extreme, is climate change to blame?
While it’s difficult to attribute individual events to climate change, scientists say global warming makes extreme weather more common.
Siberian smoke likely the cause of Southeast Alaska’s hazy skies
National Weather Service meteorologist David Levin says they tracked the source of the smoky haze, which is coming from thousands of miles away — in Siberia.
Flooding changes the course of the Mendenhall River near Brotherhood Bridge
The oxbow bend in the river has been eroding for years, until floodwaters broke through the river bank.
Officials watch for flooding as Suicide Basin reservoir drains
Water began draining Monday from Suicide Basin into Mendenhall River, but officials don’t yet know if it will cause flooding.
Haines, Yukon forecasters work together to build weather station in Haines Pass
A new weather station is being developed to collect data for the Haines Pass.
The Yukon Avalanche Association recently secured funding from the Yukon Government for the project and will partner with the Haines Avalanche Center to install the equipment by fall.
Calving likely triggered Suicide Basin water level change; flood watch still on
A flood watch from the National Weather Service in Juneau for Mendenhall Lake and Mendenhall River area has been canceled.