Posted on 05/15/2013 10:06:25 PM PDT by Jack Hydrazine
Reader Psalmon writes:
"Nenana River ice breakup nears top three latest dates in 97 years of contest."
It may have escaped notice, but this last Saturday the locals in Nanana, AK hooked up the clock to determine the breakup and winner of the annual Nenana Ice Classic. Further ice measurements were apparently suspended last Thursday with the last measurement of 40 inches (just).
If you think May 11 seems late for starting the countdown, it is.
After the fourth earliest breakup in 2012 (April 23), as of this afternoon on May 14th, the tripod still stands, making 2013 the fourth latest breakup in the 97 years of the contest. Only 1935 (May 15), 1945 (May 16), and 1964 (May 21) still rate longer.
It’s hard to forget geophysicist Martin Jeffries at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks saying in 2009,
"The Nenana Ice Classic is a pretty good proxy for climate change in the 20th century."
Sage insight.
Have ya ever seen an ice out of a big river where the ice is 5-6 feet thick? If it has been a cold late winter, then warms up too fast, the ice moves, gets stuck in bends and water back s up. Ice chunks the size of houses float on top of water and take everything in their way out, snaps tele poles like match sticks; crushes houses, vehicles, on and on. I’d never want water front property, I like dry land for high water. Ice chunks on the Yukon float in from river 1/4 mile; pretty much denudes the place. We haven’t had a big flood since 1930’s, had one 5 years back and again this year. My only problem is that they have to let the 40 foot high ice chunks melt, takes until mid July even with 80 degree temps, my road to the outside is closed, unless I want to ride a 4 wheeler 800 miles round trip to Fairbanks.
Wow!
Where are those AGWers today screaming that the breaking of the record on May 20th indicates more warming?!?!?
I’m going to bet that the ice doesn’t break until May 31!
Winter returning to Alaska – Record lows and heavy snow
http://iceagenow.info/2013/05/winter-returning-alaska-%E2%80%93-record-lows-heavy-snow/
(excerpt)
A VERY STRONG COLD FRONT NOW IN THE WESTERN INTERIOR OF ALASKA WILL MOVE EAST THROUGH FAIRBANKS FRIDAY AND CONTINUE EAST TO THE CANADIAN BORDER BY SATURDAY AFTERNOON.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT… NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK… MAY 16 2013
…WINTER RETURNING TO THE INTERIOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY…
SNOW…WINDS AND RECORD COLD TEMPERATURES WILL ACCOMPANY THE COLD FRONT. AFTERNOON
I thought the tripod was going to go this weekend. It doesn’t look like it now.
Got hit with 6” of snow in Wasilla, more up towards Hatcher Pass, and even now most of it is melting fast.
Much more normal warmer temps are predicted starting even as early as tomorrow, may break 50 degrees, lots of sunshine. 60+ degree days the rest of the week, possibly our real first week of some form of summer.
By some standards Alaska may have a two year winter, I’m just saying....
Then it’s going to be a nail biter for the record breaker!
My prediction, next thursday around 7pm.
One day to go for the record to be tied with the webcam showing no signs of ice break up at all. And the quadpod is still in the same place as it was several days ago.
Don’t forget that the previous record was set in 1964, which was a leap year. Therefore May 20th that year was one day later in the year than it is this year, on account of being after the extra Feb 29th. Tomorrow we celebrate.Record gets broken if it's still up tomorrow.
The city (the people running the ice classic up in Alaska) have declared it is a record late breakup.
If you measure from the solar year (days-minutes-hours after the spring equinox, for example) it is also a record late ice breakup.
Gone - Ice has broken up.
When do we place our bets for next year?
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