Replies

Here is the actual response on the ACRC website. While the temperature change is not as large as the NYT reported, there is a clear change, especially in the northernmost point, Barrows.

In response to the New York Times Article of 16 June 2002

The article "Alaska, No Longer So Frigid, Starts to Crack, Burn, and Sag" written by Timothy Egan, stated that the average temperature has risen seven degrees in the last 30 years. This statement was repeated in an editorial by Bob Herbert of 24 June 2002. This statement is incorrect. The correct warming for Alaska is about 1/3 of the quoted amount for the last climatological mean 1971 to 2000 (see table below). It should be pointed out that the table presents data from first class weather stations, which are professionaly maintained and generate high quality data. The three stations, Barrow, Fairbanks, and Anchorage, represent a cross section of Alaska from north to south. Further, Barrow, situated in Northern Alaska, which gave the largest temperature increase, is the only long-term first class meteorological weather station in Northern Alaska. All changes are based upon the time period 1971 to 2000 and are compiled from a linear trend.

Station	Barrow	Fairbanks	Anchorage	Nome
Latitude/Longitude	71 degrees 18' N, 156 degrees 47' W	64 degrees 49' N, 147 degrees 52' W	61 degrees 10' N, 150 degrees 1' W	64 degrees 30' N, 165 degrees 26' W
Change in Mean Annual Temp.	+4.16°F	+1.07°F	+2.26°F	+2.28°F

Compiled by Brian Hartmann and Gerd Wendler

24 June 2002

If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Gerd Wendler at gerd@gi.alaska.edu

Return to the Alaska Climate Research Center