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December 30,2021

Anna Murray 

In the midst of an exceptional winter warm spell, Alaska, the coldest state in the United States, has recorded its hottest December day ever. On December 26, temperatures on the island of Kodiak reached a new high of 19.4°C (67°F), over seven degrees higher than the previous high.

Over Christmas, the central city of Fairbanks was hit by the worst mid-winter storm since 1937, dumping more than 25.4cm (10in) of snow. On the afternoon of December 28, Anchorage had brief freezing rain, but temperatures rose above freezing and most of the precipitation fell as regular rain. Temperatures in the southeastern town of Ketchikan dipped to -18°C (-0.4°F) on December 25, making it one of the coldest Christmas Days in the town's history. Extreme heat and cold spells over the last two decades have been an indicator of climate change.

Heavy snowfall was followed by torrential rain, which immediately froze and blanketed the region in ice, resulting in extensive power outages, road closures, and office closures. Because of severe weather and ill-equipped airports, hundreds of people, mainly from coastal settlements, were stranded in the Alaskan town of Bethel over the holidays.