Background Articles

A new study from Kodiak’s NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center links ocean acidification to a significant decline in red king crab populations in the Bering Sea, challenging the view that warming is the primary stressor.

New research indicates that the increasing penetration of warm Atlantic waters is accelerating sea ice loss in the Siberian Arctic, with significant implications for the region’s ecosystem and climate.

Warm Atlantic waters are rapidly reshaping the Siberian Arctic, sparking an era of unprecedented sea ice loss—something that will have ongoing implications for the region’s ecosystem and climate, says new research.

Anchorage is on track to finish February with the least snowfall on record as mild temperatures prevail without measurable snow. Chief Meteorologist Melissa Frey explains the unusual winter pattern with far less snowfall than expected.

An OU scientist explains how powerful Arctic cyclones are breaking up thin sea ice in rapid bursts, a phenomenon that challenges existing climate models.

A new study finds that mountain glaciers are melting at more than twice the rate observed in the early 2000s, with over 6.5 trillion tonnes of ice lost since 2000 and record losses in 2023.

Research from the University of Alaska Fairbanks indicates that early snowmelt, driven by climate change, could lead to more extreme wildfire seasons in Alaska, with the southern regions experiencing earlier fire starts than usual.

A mass marine heat wave, known as 'the Blob', decimated the food supply for common murres, leading to an estimated 4 million bird deaths, according to biologist Heather Renner.

Despite the decline of sled dog racing elsewhere, the Kuskokwim Delta in Alaska is experiencing a resurgence, with increased sponsorships, substantial prize money, and strong community support sustaining the sport amid challenging climate conditions.

Communities in Southeast Alaska, especially in Haines, are employing new landslide risk maps to guide future development decisions after recent deadly events and extreme weather. The science-backed tool aims to help residents and local authorities gauge areas more prone to landslides.

In Kotzebue, residents queued in freezing conditions to receive 5-pound bags of sockeye salmon distributed by Maniilaq Association in collaboration with SeaShare, following a dismal commercial salmon season.

A series of heavy snowfall events and enduring sub-freezing temperatures have brought back the charm of a traditional Maine winter, delighting snow sports enthusiasts and winter festival organizers.

Mount Churchill in Alaska has a history of explosive eruptions that sent ash across continents, and experts warn that a similar event today could disrupt air travel and regional life.

A study by the Alfred Wegener Institute reveals that the dramatic melting of older, multiyear sea ice is leading to a significant decline in the frequency and size of vital pressure ridges in the Arctic.

A new study by University of Alaska Fairbanks researchers found that microplastics are transferred from mother Alaska spotted seals to their fetuses, with widespread contamination detected in various tissues.

New UAF research reveals that microplastics are transferred from pregnant spotted seals to their fetuses, raising concerns about plastic pollution in remote Arctic marine mammals.

A new study reveals that climate change has shifted large parts of the Arctic from a carbon sink to a net carbon emitter, with up to 40% of tundra, boreal forests, and wetlands releasing more CO2 than they absorb.

The article explains how a severe decline in wild salmon, driven by climate change, is forcing Alaska mushers to abandon traditional subsistence feeding practices in favor of costly commercial dog food. This shift is altering both the practice and culture of dog mushing in the region.

Gardening columnist Jeff Lowenfels explains how trees are built to survive extreme high winds.

The Finnish Meteorological Institute reports that Finland’s average temperature in the first quarter of the 21st century was 1.4°C higher than during 1975–1999, with January in the south and central regions being unusually mild.