With the specter of rising temperatures and meltdown of summer sea ice haunting Alaska’s climate outlook, a dollop of liquid cold gave Barrow a startling surprise last month.
The sun rose on Dec. 1, weeks after its official disappearance, according to the Alaska Climate Research Center in a dispatch about the 12th month’s climate in the Far North state.
In a rare optical effect, there was looming of the sun above the horizon at Barrow on the first of December On this date the sun is always well below the horizon at Barrow, having set for the winter one week prior.
This time, however, very cold air near the ground refracted the suns rays northward beyond their usual range. In addition, some clouds formed about 6 miles above sea level, and provided a mirror to reflect the suns image north to Barrow.
So, even though Barrow was theoretically dark on the first of December, it was quite bright this year, even though the almanacs do not show the sun rising there until the 23rd of January.