Editing Utqiagvik, Alaska (section)

===Climate===
[[File:Barrow-icebow.jpg|thumb|Probable [[Fog bow|fogbow]] in Utqiagvik]]
[[File:Arctic Shore at Barrow Alaska.jpg|thumb|Homes along the Arctic Ocean in Utqiagvik]]
[[File:NOAA-barrow-ice.jpg|thumb|400px|left|Utqiagvik sea ice, July 2006, 2007]]

Owing to its location {{convert|330|mi|abbr=on}}<!-- source? --> north of the [[Arctic Circle]], Utqiagvik's climate is cold and dry, classified as a [[Tundra#Climatic classification|tundra climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''ET''). Winter weather can be hazardous because of the combination of cold and wind, while summers are cool even at their warmest. Weather observation records are available for Utqiagvik, dating back to the late 19th century. The [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] (NOAA) Climate Monitoring Lab operates in Utqiagvik. The [[United States Department of Energy]] has a climate observation site in Utqiagvik as part of its [[Atmospheric Radiation Measurement]] Climate Research Facility.

Despite the extreme northern location, temperatures at Utqiagvik are moderated by the surrounding [[topography]]. The [[Arctic Ocean]] is on three sides, and flat tundra stretches some {{Convert|200|mi|abbr=on}} to the south. No wind barriers or protected valleys exist where dense cold air can settle or form [[Inversion (meteorology)|temperature inversions]] in the lower atmosphere, as commonly happens in the interior between the [[Brooks Range|Brooks]] and the [[Alaska Range|Alaska]] ranges.<ref name=3fgi>{{cite web|title=Summary about Barrow NWS Station |url=http://climate.gi.alaska.edu/Stations/Arctic/Barrow.html |publisher=Climate.gi.alaska.edu |access-date=October 28, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119021827/http://climate.gi.alaska.edu/Stations/Arctic/Barrow.html |archive-date=January 19, 2013 }}</ref>

Utqiagvik has the lowest average temperatures of cities in Alaska. Although Utqiagvik rarely records the lowest temperatures statewide during cold waves, extremely low [[wind chill]] and [[Whiteout (weather)|"white out"]] conditions from [[blowing snow]] are prevalent. Temperatures remain below freezing (32&nbsp;°F or 0&nbsp;°C) from early October through late May, and below {{convert|0|F}} from December through March.

The high temperature reaches or tops the freezing point on an average of only 136 days per year, and 92 days have a maximum at or below {{convert|0|F}}.<ref name=4wxd>{{cite web |url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=afg |title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date = March 14, 2022}}</ref> Freezing temperatures and snowfall can occur during any month of the year.<ref name=3fgi/>

As of 2023, Utqiagvik falls within [[United States Department of Agriculture|USDA]] [[Hardiness zone|Hardiness Zone]] 2B.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map {{!}} USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map |url=https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=planthardiness.ars.usda.gov}}</ref>

Regarding precipitation, Utqiagvik has a desert climate and averages less than {{convert|6|in|abbr=on}} "rainfall equivalent" per year. One inch of rain has an estimated water content equal to {{Convert|12|in|cm|abbr=on}} of snow. According to 1981−2010 normals, this includes {{convert|37|in|cm|abbr=on}} of snow,<ref name=comdata>{{cite web
 |title=State of Alaska Community Database Online 
 |url=http://www.dced.state.ak.us/dca/commdb/CF_BLOCK.htm 
 |publisher=Dced.state.ak.us 
 |access-date=October 28, 2015 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130106214458/http://www.dced.state.ak.us/dca/commdb/CF_BLOCK.htm
 |archive-date=January 6, 2013
}}</ref><ref name=noaa2>{{cite web
 |title=Coastal Pilot 9, 25th Edition, 2007 
 |publisher=NOAA 
 |url=http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/NSD/Cp9/CP9-25ed-Ch09_9.pdf 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229053400/http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/NSD/Cp9/CP9-25ed-Ch09_9.pdf 
 |archive-date=February 29, 2008 }}</ref> compared to {{convert|99|in|cm|abbr=on}} for [[Kuujjuaq]] in [[Nunavik]], [[Quebec]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?stnID=6095&prov=&lang=e&dCode=1&dispBack=1&StationName=kuujjuaq&SearchType=Contains&province=ALL&provBut=&month1=0&month2=12 |title=Canadian Climate Normals 1971-2000 Station Data |publisher=Climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca |date=September 22, 2015 |access-date=October 28, 2015}}</ref> or {{Convert|87|in|cm|abbr=on}} and {{Convert|69|in|cm|abbr=on}} for much warmer [[Juneau, Alaska|Juneau]] and [[Kodiak, Alaska]], respectively. Even [[Sable Island]], at around 44 degrees latitude and under the influence of the [[Gulf Stream]], received {{Convert|44|in|cm|abbr=on}}, or 20 percent more snowfall than Utqiagvik. Snowfall in Utqiagvik has increased in recent years, with an average annual snowfall of {{convert|46|in|cm|abbr=on}} according to the more recent 1991&ndash;2020 normals.<ref name=4wxd/>

The annual first snow (defined as snow that will not melt until the next spring) generally falls during the first week of October, when temperatures cease to rise above freezing during the day. October is usually the month with the heaviest snowfall, with measurable amounts occurring on over half the days and a 1991−2020 normal total accumulation of {{convert|10.3|in|cm|abbr=on}}.<ref name=4wxd/> Sunlight is around 6 hours per day by the end of October.

When the sun sets on November 18, it stays below the horizon until January 23, resulting in a [[polar night]] that lasts about 66 days.<ref name=Night>{{cite news |last1=Cappucci |first1=Matthew |title='Polar night' arrives in Utqiagvik, Alaska, bringing 66 days of darkness |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/11/18/polar-night-utqiagvik-darkness/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=November 19, 2020}}</ref> When the polar night starts, about 6 hours of civil twilight occur, with the amount decreasing each day during the first half of the polar night. On the [[winter solstice]] (around December 21 or December 22), civil twilight in Utqiagvik lasts 3 hours.<ref name=4wxd/><ref name=5day>{{cite web|title=Daylight and darkness|url=http://www.alaska.com/about/weather/story/4481284p-4773632c.html|publisher=Alaska.com|access-date=October 28, 2015|archive-date=October 22, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022032120/http://www.alaska.com/about/weather/story/4481284p-4773632c.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> After this, the amount of civil twilight increases each day to around 6 hours at the end of the polar night.

Particularly cold weather usually begins in January, and February is generally the coldest month, averaging {{convert|-11.9|F}}. By March 1, the sun is up for 9 hours, and temperatures begin to warm, although winds are usually higher. Starting on March 23, astronomical night ceases to occur, with only daylight and twilight until the start of the midnight sun in May. This is also true from the end of the midnight sun at the beginning of August until September 22. April brings less extreme temperatures, with an average of {{convert|4.0|F}}, and on April 1, the sun is up for more than 14 hours. By May 1, the sun is up for 19 hours, and by May 10 or 11 (depending on the year's relationship to the nearest leap year), the sun stays above the horizon for the entire day. This phenomenon is known as the [[midnight sun]]. The sun does not set for 83 days, until August 1 or 2 (again, depending on the year's relationship to the nearest leap year).<ref name=Night/> In May, temperatures are much warmer, averaging {{convert|22.7|F}}. On June 6, the daily mean temperature rises above freezing, and the normal daily mean temperature remains above freezing until September 21<!--Daily normals-->.<ref name=4wxd/>

[[File:Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) - Barrow Area, AK(ThreadEx).svg|thumb|right|Climate chart for Utqiagvik]]
July is the year's warmest month, with an average temperature of {{Convert|41.7|F}}. Beginning in mid-July, the Arctic Ocean is relatively ice-free until late October.<ref name=4wxd/> The highest temperature recorded in Utqiagvik was {{Convert|79|F}} on July 13, 1993, while the lowest was {{convert|−56|F}} on February 3, 1924; the highest minimum was {{Convert|56|F}} on August 5, 2023, while the lowest maximum was {{Convert|−47|F}} on January 3, 1975.<ref name=4wxd/><ref name=5day/><ref name=6sun>{{cite web
| title = NOAA Sunset/Sunrise
| url = http://www.nws.noaa.gov/climate/astronomical.php?wfo=pafg
}}
</ref> On average, during the 1991 to 2020 reference period, the coldest winter maximum was {{convert|-29|F|C}} and the warmest summer minimum was {{convert|47|F|C}}.<ref name=4wxd/> Utqiagvik records an average 26 days per year where the high reaches at least {{convert|50|F}}.<ref name=4wxd/> Temperatures above {{convert|60|F}} are rare but have been recorded in most years. Even in July and August, the low falls to or below the freezing mark on an average of 18 days.<ref name= 4wxd/>

In addition to its low temperatures and polar night, Utqiagvik is one of the cloudiest places on Earth. Owing to the prevailing easterly winds off the Arctic Ocean, it is completely overcast slightly more than 50% of the year. It is at least 70% overcast around 62% of the time. Cloud types are mainly low [[Stratus cloud|stratus]] and fog; [[Cumulus cloud|cumuli]] forms are rare. Peak cloudiness occurs in August and September when the ocean is ice-free. Dense fog occurs an average of 65 days yearly, mostly in summer. [[Ice fog]] is very common during the winter months, especially when the temperature drops below {{Convert|-30|F}}.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Maykut|first1=Gary A.|last2=Church|first2=Phil E.|title=Journal of Applied Meteorology|publisher=Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Washington|year=1973|pages=620–621}}</ref>

Wind speed variation during the year is limited, with the fall days being windiest. Extreme winds from {{convert|40|to|60|mph|abbr=on}} have been recorded every month.<ref name=3fgi/> Winds average {{convert|12|mph|abbr=on}} and are typically from the east.<ref name=comdata/><ref name=noaa2/>

{{Weather box
|location = Utqiagvik, Alaska ([[Wiley Post–Will Rogers Memorial Airport]], 1991&ndash;2020 normals,{{efn|Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e., the highest and lowest temperature readings during an entire month or year) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.}} extremes 1901–present)
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 36
|Feb record high F = 36
|Mar record high F = 34
|Apr record high F = 42
|May record high F = 47
|Jun record high F = 73
|Jul record high F = 79
|Aug record high F = 76
|Sep record high F = 62
|Oct record high F = 44
|Nov record high F = 39
|Dec record high F = 40
|Jan avg record high F = 19.4
|Feb avg record high F = 17.3
|Mar avg record high F = 17.2
|Apr avg record high F = 28.1
|May avg record high F = 38.2
|Jun avg record high F = 59.5
|Jul avg record high F = 65.2
|Aug avg record high F = 60.6
|Sep avg record high F = 51.1
|Oct avg record high F = 35.6
|Nov avg record high F = 28.9
|Dec avg record high F = 20.3
|year avg record high F= 67.2
|Jan high F = -5.2
|Feb high F = -5.5
|Mar high F = -3.8
|Apr high F = 10.6
|May high F = 26.9
|Jun high F = 40.9
|Jul high F = 47.7
|Aug high F = 44.5
|Sep high F = 37.1
|Oct high F = 25.6
|Nov high F = 11.5
|Dec high F = -0.4
|year high F = 19.2
|Jan mean F = -11.5
|Feb mean F = -11.9
|Mar mean F = -10.5
|Apr mean F = 4.0
|May mean F = 22.7
|Jun mean F = 36.0
|Jul mean F = 41.7
|Aug mean F = 39.8
|Sep mean F = 33.7
|Oct mean F = 21.2
|Nov mean F = 5.7
|Dec mean F = -6.3
|year mean F = 13.7
|Jan low F = -17.8
|Feb low F = -18.3
|Mar low F = -17.2
|Apr low F = -2.5
|May low F = 18.5
|Jun low F = 31.1
|Jul low F = 35.6
|Aug low F = 35.1
|Sep low F = 30.3
|Oct low F = 16.8
|Nov low F = -0.1
|Dec low F = -12.2
|year low F = 8.3 
|Jan avg record low F = -37.8
|Feb avg record low F = -39.1
|Mar avg record low F = -36.1
|Apr avg record low F = -22.6
|May avg record low F = 0.1
|Jun avg record low F = 23.7
|Jul avg record low F = 29.7
|Aug avg record low F = 28.7
|Sep avg record low F = 20.2
|Oct avg record low F = -5.0
|Nov avg record low F = -19.9
|Dec avg record low F = -31.5
|year avg record low F= -42.7
|Jan record low F = -53
|Feb record low F = -56
|Mar record low F = -52
|Apr record low F = -42
|May record low F = -19
|Jun record low F = 4
|Jul record low F = 22
|Aug record low F = 20
|Sep record low F = 1
|Oct record low F = -32
|Nov record low F = -40
|Dec record low F = -55
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.14
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.21
|Mar precipitation inch = 0.18
|Apr precipitation inch = 0.18
|May precipitation inch = 0.28
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.43
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.98
|Aug precipitation inch = 1.09
|Sep precipitation inch = 0.77
|Oct precipitation inch = 0.54
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.37
|Dec precipitation inch = 0.22
|year precipitation inch = 5.39

|Jul snow inch = 0.2
|Aug snow inch = 0.8
|Sep snow inch = 4.1
|Oct snow inch = 10.3
|Nov snow inch = 7.8
|Dec snow inch = 5.0
|Jan snow inch = 3.5
|Feb snow inch = 3.5
|Mar snow inch = 2.9
|Apr snow inch = 3.6
|May snow inch = 3.4
|Jun snow inch = 0.7
|year snow inch = 45.8
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 4.8
|Feb precipitation days = 5.5
|Mar precipitation days = 5.1
|Apr precipitation days = 5.3
|May precipitation days = 6.3
|Jun precipitation days = 6.3
|Jul precipitation days = 9.7
|Aug precipitation days = 11.5
|Sep precipitation days = 13.6
|Oct precipitation days = 13.5
|Nov precipitation days = 9.7
|Dec precipitation days = 6.7
|year precipitation days = 98.0
|precip days colour =
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jul snow days = 0.6
|Aug snow days = 2.1
|Sep snow days = 8.3
|Oct snow days = 17.0
|Nov snow days = 13.8
|Dec snow days = 10.0
|Jan snow days = 7.5
|Feb snow days = 7.8
|Mar snow days = 7.1
|Apr snow days = 8.4
|May snow days = 7.7
|Jun snow days = 2.0
|year snow days = 92.3
|humidity colour = green
|Jan humidity = 72.7
|Feb humidity = 70.0
|Mar humidity = 70.9
|Apr humidity = 76.8
|May humidity = 87.0
|Jun humidity = 88.5
|Jul humidity = 87.9
|Aug humidity = 91.1
|Sep humidity = 90.6
|Oct humidity = 85.6
|Nov humidity = 79.4
|Dec humidity = 74.0
|year humidity = 81.2
|Jan dew point C = -28.6
|Feb dew point C = -31.4
|Mar dew point C = -29.9
|Apr dew point C = -21.8
|May dew point C = -8.7
|Jun dew point C = -0.7
|Jul dew point C = 2.0
|Aug dew point C = 1.8
|Sep dew point C = -2.3
|Oct dew point C = -12.1
|Nov dew point C = -21.5
|Dec dew point C = -27.5
|source 1 = NOAA (relative humidity and dew point 1961–1990)<ref name= 4wxd /><ref name="NCEI Summary of Monthly Normals - 1991-2020">{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00027502&format=pdf 
|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020 
|publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] 
|access-date = March 14, 2022
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230809121547/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00027502&format=pdf
|archive-date = August 9, 2023}}</ref><ref name="NCDC txt PABR">{{cite web 
|url = ftp://ftp.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/1991-2020/products/station/USW00027502.normals.txt 
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
|title = Station Name: AK BARROW POST ROGERS AP 
|access-date = September 11, 2016}}</ref><ref name="WMO 1961−90 PABR">{{cite web 
|url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP1/70026.TXT 
|title = WMO Climate Normals for BARROW/W. POST W. ROGERS, AK 1961&ndash;1990 
|access-date = September 1, 2020 
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230620102226/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP1/70026.TXT
|archive-date = June 20, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/attachments/CCD-2018.pdf
|title = Comparative Climatic Data For the United States Through 2018
|publisher = NOAA
|access-date = July 28, 2020
|archive-date = September 19, 2020
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200919104105/https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/attachments/CCD-2018.pdf
|url-status = dead}}</ref>
}}<section end="weather box" />

====Consequences of global warming====
The Arctic region is warming at a rate that is three times the global average,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stancil |first=Kenny |date=May 21, 2021 |title=Arctic warming three times faster than average rate of the planet, study finds |url=https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/arctic-warming-three-times-faster-than-average-rate-of-planet-study-finds/ |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=People's World}}</ref> forcing major adjustments to life on the North Slope with regard to hunting and whaling practices over the prior millennium, as well as to habitation. Thinner sea ice endangers the landing of [[bowhead whale]] strikes on offshore ice by springtime whalers. Caribou habitat is also affected while thawing soil threatens homes and municipal and commercial structures. The city's infrastructure is endangered, particularly water, sanitation, power, and road stability. The shoreline is rapidly eroding and has been encroaching on buildings for decades. According to Dr. Harold Wanless of the [[University of Miami]], an anticipated rise in sea level and consequent global warming is inevitable, meaning the existence of Utqiagvik at its current location is doomed in the relative geological short term.<ref>[https://www.hcn.org/issues/52.7/indigenous-affairs-climate-change-what-choice-do-we-have As the Arctic warms, the Inupiat adapt], ''[[High Country News]]'', Jenna Kunze, July 31, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020.</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Jamail |first=Dahr |date=January 2019 |title=The End of Ice: Bearing Witness and Finding Meaning in the Path of Climate Disruption |location=New York|publisher=The New Press |pages=181–206, 115–131 |isbn=978-1-62097-234-2 }}</ref> Smoothed data from NOAA show<!-- dat is plural --> that Utqiagvik has warmed by more than {{convert|11|F-change|abbr=on}} since 1976.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://climate.gi.alaska.edu/ClimTrends/Change/TempChange.html|title=Temperature Changes in Alaska &#124; Alaska Climate Research Center|access-date=November 1, 2020|archive-date=July 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718101916/http://climate.gi.alaska.edu/ClimTrends/Change/TempChange.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> On December 5, 2022, Utqiagvik broke its previous record for the warmest winter temperature, hitting {{convert|40|F|C|abbr=on}}.