An early exit of Alaska’s spring snow means more acreage could burn during the coming wildfire season, which begins when the snow melts off, says new research from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
An early exit of Alaska’s spring snow means more acreage could burn during the coming wildfire season, which begins when the snow melts off, says new research from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
“The most significant finding is that during many of the largest, most extreme fire seasons, we had early snowoff,” explained Peter Bieniek, lead author of the study and a climate modeler at the UAF International Arctic Research Center. “During these years there are large-scale climate patterns that persist through time. They set up and keep a high pressure over Alaska.”
High pressure systems bring clear, sunny and warm weather. There isn’t a lot of rain, but in some cases there are thunderstorms. When these conditions last for months, they can lead to big fire seasons.
Read More: University of Alaska Fairbanks
Snow melts in Interior Alaska during May 2022. (Photo Credit: Heather McFarland)
