At Peak Of Summer, North Slope Of Alaska Is Still A Frozen Wasteland

9 Responses to At Peak Of Summer, North Slope Of Alaska Is Still A Frozen Wasteland

1. Latitude says:

   July 19, 2014 at 12:37 pm

   now that’s depressing…..gray overcast and cold!

   Reply
2. Andy DTthat says:

   July 19, 2014 at 6:29 pm

   It is only going to get colder there the next couple of days.

   Reply
3. Stephen Richards says:

   July 19, 2014 at 6:44 pm

   This must be blown ice from the nearer the pole. A few days ago it was ice free at Barrow then the wind changed to the N and the ice started rolling in. However, it is still horrible, cold and grey and not good July weather and even worse mid july weather.

   Reply
4. darrylb says:

   July 19, 2014 at 7:06 pm

   Just came back from much farther south in Alaska- Juneau and Skagway. Glaciers have receded a significant amount, but I believe it has been happening consistently since the end of the little ice age. Does anyone have any info on long term glacier records?

   Reply
   • stevengoddard says:

     July 19, 2014 at 7:07 pm

     http://stevengoddard.wordpress.com/2013/05/18/glacier-bay-alaska-retreated-100-km-between-1794-and-1916/

     Reply
5. Alec, aka daffy duck says:

   July 19, 2014 at 8:25 pm

   Temps are already changing; dmi updates temp image twice a day with the morning image the warmer part od the day, and the update at about 4pm being the cooler. Right now there is two cold spot, one of which is just north of barrow:
   http://ocean.dmi.dk/arctic/weather/arcticweather_imagecontainer.php

   There is also a low system there…. Must be snowing 🙂

   http://ocean.dmi.dk/arctic/weather/arcticweather_imagecontainer.php

   Reply
6. Adam Gallon says:

   July 19, 2014 at 8:56 pm

   What a depressing looking place. It’s amazing where humns live voluntarily (I assume that’s the case!)

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7. Eric Simpson says:

   July 19, 2014 at 11:16 pm

   @Adam & Latitude, I know it looks like a place you wouldn’t want to live, but maybe visit? Barren Barrow for a vacation? In July. Just the stark barrenness could have its own appeal. No polar bears or mosquitoes (?) is also a big plus.

   And after googling I found out it looks like people are in fact vacationing there now, and a new hotel opened up in April. A couple of reviews:

   Arrived in Barrow on 7/16/14. Ice was floating in the Arctic Ocean. We were met at the airport by a friendly shuttle service from Tundra Tours and taken directly to the hotel – Top of the World. The new hotel opened in April, and the rooms are absolutely beautiful! After settling in, we took a tour. Our tour guide was Sam who was very knowledgeable of the town. I had read earlier posts about Sam and was very happy when I found out he would be our guide for the day. Can’t say enough good things about tour. During the day we went out to the farthest point, Walkd the beach, put our feet in the Arctic water, took at a tour of the Inupiat Heritage Center, watched a dance performance, and drove through town and outlying tundra. It was worth the trip!

   And:

   Sandy Beaches, with minor ice floes nearby. If I had a bucket list, it would be to put my feet in the Arctic Ocean, that enigmatic, massive body of water that’s all but out of reach for most. The beaches at Barrow are as beautiful as most in warmer climes, and frolicking in the shallow waters was a real treat. Indeed, all of us on the tour were like a bunch of 8 year olds, thrilled (and chilled) no end! If you go, don’t just look at the Ocean…experience it! -July 2013

   Reply
   • Dmh says:

     July 20, 2014 at 12:41 am

     Beautiful reports, I’d have no problem at all living in Barrow.
     I love snow and cold weather! 🙂

     Reply