Expanding glacier threatens to form lake, flood town

It was reported earlier this year that glaciers in Antarctica are melting faster and across a much wider area. Researchers point out that if the melting continues, then sea levels would likely rise. In addition to the melting, scientists say that the Wordie Ice Shelf has disappeared.

However, while some glaciers are melting, other glaciers are expanding, and one in particular is threatening a town in Alaska. Earlier this year, the Hubbard Glacier was advancing toward Gilbert Point, near Yukutat, at a rate of 7 feet per day.

With the glacier’s recent rapid movement, the Army Corps of Engineers became involved. The advancement of the glacier into the fjord, a U-shaped valley that the glacier cuts, may eventually, perhaps as early as next year, wrap itself around Gilbert Point and turn the fjord into a glacier-formed lake. This process would essentially flood out the town. During the late spring and summer, the glacier’s progress has been slowed, but it will be watched carefully during this upcoming winter and spring 2010 when it’s expected to expand once again.

Whether glaciers grow or melt, it still appears we’re in a cycle of wide weather extremes. Since Jan. 1, more than 60,000 weather records have been tied or broken across the U.S.

Speaking of records, the Spokane International Airport topped the 100-degree mark on Saturday. The high of 101 degrees tied the record set in 1971. It was very hot in the Columbia Basin as Moses Lake hit 106. Wenatchee was a sizzling 107, and it was a record-tying 106 degrees at Lewiston.

On July 29, Portland soared to 106 degrees, and it was 103 at Seattle/Tacoma International Airport. Conditions were miserable as 70 percent of the people do not have air conditioning in these areas.

We may have already seen the hottest day of 2009. For most of August, there should be plenty of afternoons with highs climbing into the 80s and 90s. The strong high pressure ridge that brought our region the very hot and dry conditions has moved over the center of the country. Therefore, the extremely hot weather will shift to the south and east of our area. There’s also the possibility of occasional showers and a few thunderstorms for the rest of this month.

I’m still expecting things to turn much wetter and cooler after Labor Day, probably around Sept. 13-19. Most of the fall should be a bit wetter and cooler than normal. With the new El Niño, the warmer than normal sea-surface temperature pattern, our winter looks much drier. Stay tuned.