Welcome to the Climate Change News Roundup for 15 May 2011. My upfront diary tonight will be an update on Arctic sea ice and some comments on short-term observed climate. Note that I started this series as a result of work done by the late Johnny Rook. We honor him here.
Inspired by the late Johnny Rook's Climaticide Chronicles, this is an occasional series on the state of Arctic sea ice.
I've not written on the Arctic for quite awhile. Admittedly, it's sometimes more interesting to write when there's something that appears to be newsworthy in that region ... and sometimes increased stress in one's life gets in the way as well. So it is with me these days ... but I'm working on it and working it out, with some help. I'll summarize what's gone on since January 2011 below.
What's it like up there now? Here's a picture at one of many points on the Arctic Coast: Barrow AK, where at 5 p.m. Alaska time on 14 May 2011 it was 26°F and cloudy, with light winds. There's still 9" of snow on the ground there. In case you're wondering what would be "normal" at Barrow: High 24°F, Low 14°F.