CHILLING FUTURE Forget warming, Alaska facing ice age

Scientists Report Steady Fall In Temp In US State Since Beginning Of 21st Century

London: Bucking the overall global warming trend, Alaska may actually be heading for an ice age with scientists reporting a steady temperature decline in the snow covered US state. 
    A new study by Alaska Climate Research Center shows that temperatures in Alaska are actually getting colder since the beginning of the 21st century — contrary to global warming concerns. In the Last Frontier, where temperatures can get as cold as 50 degrees below zero, residents of the state have experienced the increasing chill and scientists now confirm that the Northwest state is indeed seeing a temperature drop. 
    A study by the University of Alaska Fairbanks shows the state has cooled by 2.4 degrees Fahrenheit since 2000, the Daily Mail reported. 
    Scientists based their research on temperature readings from weather stations operated by the National Weather Service. Based on those, 19 of the 20 stations have measured a consistently cooler climate over time. 
    The region most impacted is Western Alaska, notably King Salmon on the Alaska Peninsula, which saw temperatures drop by 4.5 degrees for the decade.
    Researchers credit an ocean phenomenon, the Decadal Oscillation, with bringing colder surface water temperatures and thus beginning the overall cooling effect. This has brought a weakening of the Aleutian Low, the breeding ground for storms that end up regulating weather systems in the other 48 states. With a less active Aleutian Low, cold winter storms have been sticking around Alaska longer and keeping the temperatures chilly. AFP