Climate Watch

November 2020 was usually mild in all western Alaska , from Cold Bay and Dillingham to the North Slope.

For our region, this was a “top ten” warmest November on record. For Nome, the average temperature just over 25°F made this fifth mildest November since record keeping began in late 1906.

Although not dramatic, there is a significant upward trend in November temperature during the past 114 years. In the early 20th century the typical November in Nome had an average temperature of about 15°F while nowadays the expected temperature is about 18°F, and six of the past seven Novembers have averaged above 20°F.

Temperatures during the month at the Nome Airport varied from 41°F on the 6th to -6°F on the 29th and 30th. Thanks to open water to the north, temperatures did not fall past the teens on St. Lawrence.

With several significant storms, areas from Golovin westward appear to have been wetter than average, while near to even a bit drier than average precipitation was likely found to the east, but especially on the eastern Norton Sound coast.

The amount of rain vs. snow that fell was quite variable, though by the end of the month most places had snow cover, but low elevation areas on St. Lawrence Island did not have much snow remaining.

November was noticeably windy at Nome Airport, where the average wind speed of 12.5mph was 21 percent above normal. Two storms brought average daily wind speeds of above 30 mph on two days and the highest daily wind gusts topped out at or above 50 mph on four days.

Bering Sea ice extent was very slow to develop in November, though not especially low compared to recent years.