Alaska breaks temperature record for December

Sunrise in Anchorage, Alaska. Photo: National Weather Service

KODIAK, Alaska — The National Weather Service (NWS) Alaska Region announced that on December 26, the state set a new temperature record for December at 67 degrees Fahrenheit.

It broke the previous record high by nine degrees.

In addition to breaking the monthly record, Kodiak beat the previous daily high mark by 20 degrees. “It is the warmest temperature on record for any time between October 5 and April 21,” NWS Anchorage said.

“In late December. I would not have thought such a thing possible,” tweeted Alaska climate scientist Rick Thoman.

“This is exactly what we expect in a warming environment. When all the ingredients come together, the unprecedented happens,” he said.

For the third consecutive day, Kodiak and Cold Bay both set daily record highs.

We’re feeling like a broken record telling you about broken records. #ColdBay and #Kodiak both had their third consecutive day of record highs yesterday.#AKwx pic.twitter.com/ZdtB7KncTd

— NWS Anchorage (@NWSAnchorage) December 29, 2021