Barrow, Alaska: 16 Months Above Normal and Counting

It was snowing and 10°F today on Tuesday, April 25, in Barrow, Alaska (officially known as Utqiagvik). Hard to believe, but this is close to what the normal temperature should be for this time of year at this frigid outpost on the shores of the Arctic Ocean. Nevertheless, this month (April 2017) is on course to close out as the 16 consecutive month with above-average temperatures at the site.

The last time that Barrow experienced a month that averaged below normal (temperature-wise) was December 2015. Here is the list of monthly departures since then:

Barrow Monthly Temperature Departure from Normal, Dec. 2015-April 2017

Apr 2017:       +5.0°F (as of April 24)
Mar 2017:      +5.3°F (1 daily record high)
Feb 2017:       +8.0°F (1 daily record high)
Jan 2017:       +13.1°F (3 daily record highs) (highest January temperature on record tied with 36°F on Jan. 1)
Dec 2016:       +7.9°F
Nov 2016:       +12.6°F
Oct 2016:        +12.9°F (5 daily record highs) (warmest October on record) (highest October temperature on record of 44°F on Oct. 10)
Sep 2016:       +1.9°F (2 daily record highs)
Aug 2016:      +0.8°F
Jul 2016:        +2.8°F
Jun 2016:       +1.9°F (2 daily record highs)
May 2016:      +7.6°F (5 daily record highs)(warmest May on record)
Apr 2016:       +8.5°F
Mar 2016:      +5.4°F
Feb 2016:       +10.1°F
Jan 2016:       +13.1°F
Dec 2015:       –2.7°F

During the time frame of January 2016-April 2017 a total of 19 daily record highs have been set versus zero (0) daily record lows. All of the daily record highs have actually occurred in just the past twelve months (since May 2016). In fact, the last time Barrow set a daily record low was almost 10 years ago on December 21, 2007, when a reading of -42°F was achieved.