epic storm

According to the forecasts, this is going to be one deadly. serious storm

It sounds like this one's going to be a doozie!

According to DD2 who is currently living in Anchorage (morning temp today, 16F) towns near the water, like her former town of Cordova on Prince William Sound, got absolutely hammered. I'll pass on details if I get some. But having spent some time up there I would not want to be in places like that or Emmonak or Aniak in the western part of Alaska.

Alaska is a challenging place to live in fair weather much less in horrible conditions of high wind and storm surge.

I was reading that 1974 was the last such storm to hit Alaska. However, one major change since then is a tremendous loss of "shore fast ice" that helps absorb/deflect the energy of the waves and storm surge before finally reaching shore. I guess it's analogous to how the wetlands south of New Orleans used to dampen the force of incoming hurricanes before it actually reached the city, but not much of that buffer is left anymore either.

So, if we're going to get more extreme weather due to climate change, it would be smart to think about how to shore up natural buffers to such weather that we may have allowed to degrade.

My thoughts & prayers for those in the affected areas.

Living up there is a dream of mine.

Finn

Alaska is a very big place, with a complicated topography. We sometimes joke that we could divide the state in half, and then Texas would be the third largest state. (It is true!)

It sounds like the Bering Sea coast has been badly hammered. It is tough living out there, even in normal conditions. Besides the lack of sea ice protecting the coast, the permafrost has been thawing somewhat in recent years, making some coastal areas more subject to erosion in these big storms. My wife talked to a friend who lives out in one of the coastal villages, her area was doing OK, but others are not.

On the other hand, here in Anchorage we have had a good early season snow. Only a few blocks from my house, I have access to an excellent municipal trai system. It hasn't been groomed yet, but last night after work I cross country skied a bit over 5 miles (2 1/2 out and back). My dog went with me, and she loved it too.

Sweet!

HJ

suddenly, the climate of the whole world is so messed up. maybe doomsday is really coming soon! creepy.... O.O



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