Integrating archival analysis, observational data, and climate projections to assess extreme event impacts in Alaska

Abstract

Understanding potential risks, vulnerabilities, and impacts to weather extremes and climate change are key information needs for coastal planners and managers in support of climate adaptation. Assessing historical trends and potential socio-economic impacts is especially difficult in the Arctic given limitations on availability of weather observations and historical impacts. This study utilizes a novel interdisciplinary approach that integrates archival analysis, observational data, and climate model downscaling to synthesize information on historical and projected impacts of extreme weather events in Nome, Alaska. Over 300 impacts (1990–2018) are identified based on analyses of the Nome Nugget newspaper articles and Storm Data entries. Historical impacts centered on transportation, community activities, and utilities. Analysis of observed and ERA5 reanalysis data indicates that impacts are frequently associated with high wind, extreme low temperatures, heavy snowfall events, and winter days above freezing. Downscaled output (2020–2100) from two climate models suggests that there will be changes in the frequency and timing of these extreme weather events. For example, extreme cold temperature is projected to decrease through the 2040s and then rarely occurs afterwards, and extreme wind events show little change before the 2070s. Significantly, our findings also reveal that not all weather-related extremes will change monotonically throughout the twenty-first century, such as extreme snowfall events that will increase through the 2030s before declining in the 2040s. The dynamical nature of projected changes in extreme events has implications for climate adaptation planning.

Building resilience to extreme weather and climate events in the rural water and wastewater sectors

“…This included infrastructure damage, power outages, regulatory noncompliance, contaminated water supplies, and increased community costs. These extreme weather events, linked to the vulnerability of water and wastewater systems, are consistent with previous research in western Alaska (Brubaker et al, 2011; Kettle et al, 2020; Penn et al, 2016). At the same time, freezing temperatures are not typically included in assessments of extreme events and impacts in Louisiana (Carter et al, 2018; Laska, 2020).…”

“…Extreme weather‐related hazards affecting water management often include cold events, permafrost thaw, high‐speed wind events, and floods (Bressler & Hennessy, 2017; Kettle et al, 2020; Marino et al, 2009). These extreme events have contributed toward energy and water insecurity and adverse public health outcomes (Brubaker et al, 2011; Eichelberger, 2010; Penn et al, 2017; Thomas et al, 2016).…”

Application of Copernicus Data for Climate-Relevant Urban Planning Using the Example of Water, Heat, and Vegetation

“…In principle, therefore, there already exists a wide range of forward-looking approaches to using climate and environmental data. This data is as provided in particular by Copernicus, for the derivation of climate projections (e.g., [29,[37][38][39]) and for the use of past, present, and projected data for the identification of expected climate-and weather-related challenges at the local level (e.g., [40][41][42][43]).…”

Application of COPERNICUS Data for Climate-Relevant Urban Planning Using the Example of Water, Heat, and Vegetation

“…In principle, therefore, there already exists a wide range of forward-looking approaches to the use of climate and environmental data, as provided in particular by Copernicus, for the derivation of climate projections (e.g., [11][12][13][14]) and for the use of past, present, and projected data for the identification of expected climate-and weather-related challenges at the local level (e.g., [15][16][17][18].…”