Alaska needs their cold back

A record warm air mass over Alaska has resulted in some long term stations breaking all-time January high temperatures the past several days. Temperatures have soared into the 40's and 50's across the state with a few locations breaking the 60 degree mark. January records were likely set at other locations, but we can only speculate that the all-time January high temperatures were achieved either due to the lack of a long period of record or observed temperature data.

At Nome, the temperature has soared to 51 degrees this afternoon. This is warmest temperature ever observed in January at Nome since records began in 1906. The previous record high temperature for the month was 46 degrees set on January 7th 1942. For reference, 51 degrees is the normal high temperature in early June at Nome. The normal high for January 27th is 13 degrees above zero.

Additional records may be tied or broken today before a slight cooling in temperatures occurs over the next few days.

For the latest forecasts for Alaska visit: www.arh.noaa.gov