WEATHER CONDITIONS IN BARROW

Most mornings I log onto the  NOAA website to see what sort of weather is waiting to embrace the community when we step out our doors to leave for work or school.  Before having looked it up this morning, a voice on the radio announced that the North Slope Borough School District, all North Slope Borough offices, Ilisagvik College, and the City of Barrow were asking employees to stay home because of blowing snow, low visibility and dangerous conditions.  

 I was a little surprised in that this time of year the weather is normally adverse so people put on an extra layer or two, make sure their cleats are firmly attached to their boots, find their goggles and head out.  My surprise isn't mixed with any disappointment though--it's wonderful to have an unplanned day off.  I didn't get my snow tires put on my bike this weekend, so today's the day.  

 Our current weather conditions are winds out of the east at 35 mph with gusts up to 40 mph, heavy blowing snow, a base temperature of 13 degrees F and a wind chill of minus 10 degrees F.  It will be much colder over the coming months with temperatures dropping to the minus 50's but if wind isn't present and visibility isn't poor, there most likely won't be closures.

Here is an interesting website about how weather in Barrow is measured and recorded:

 http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/obop/brw/

 Here's another one that posts webcam videos of conditions.  It's interesting in that it compares sea ice conditions from year to year.

 http://seaice.alaska.edu/gi/observatories/barrow_webcam

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