Alaska Issued With First Ever Heat Advisory
Alaska has been issued its first ever heat advisory by the National Weather Service (NWS) as an unusual surge of high temperatures grips parts of the state.
This weekend, parts of The Lost Frontier State-including areas around Fairbanks-are expected to climb into the mid-80s, with some locations potentially nearing 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
"We have issued a Heat Advisory for the Fairbanks Area this Sunday afternoon/evening. Temperatures are expected to reach as high as 86F, so be sure to take extra precautions if outdoors," NWS Fairbanks wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday afternoon.
The advisory underscores the intensifying impacts of climate change in even the most traditionally cold parts of the United States. Alaska's infrastructure, wildlife, and communities are not built to withstand prolonged heat, raising concerns about public health, wildfires, and ecosystem disruption.
Heat stress is the leading weather-related cause of death, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Temperatures will be pushed into the mid-to-upper 80s by Sunday. This is around 10 to 15 degrees above average for the region where normal highs in Fairbanks sit around 72 degrees.
This is officially the first heat advisory ever issued in Alaska, but there's a reason why it hasn't happened until now. As of June 2, the NWS offices in Fairbanks and Juneau were granted the authority to issue heat advisories, a change aimed at better communicating the risks posed by extreme heat in a state more familiar with subzero temperatures than sweltering afternoons.
According to the new criteria, a heat advisory can be issued when temperatures are expected to reach at least 85 degrees in the interior, 80 degrees in the southeast, and 75 degrees on the North Slope. Sunday's forecast for Fairbanks and its surrounding areas barely clears that threshold, but meteorologists say that doesn't make it any less significant.
Experts have warned that the state's buildings, designed to retain warmth in harsh winters, lack air conditioning and ventilation, making even moderate heat potentially dangerous.
Climatologist Brian Brettschneider noted on Bluesky that these design choices, critical in winter, can pose some risks when the mercury rises.
The advisory goes into effect from 1 to 7 p.m. local time on Sunday.
NWS Fairbanks wrote in a post on X earlier this week: "Summer-like temperatures are expected to continue for much of Interior AK this weekend, with most areas seeing temperatures in the upper 70s & low 80s. There's a chance for some isolated showers & thunderstorms this weekend, but mainly for the eastern Interior. Enjoy AK!"
Alaskans are being urged to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity, and check on vulnerable individuals. The risk is particularly acute for older adults, young children, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
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