"Our region will be affected by an abnormal heat wave. People who are not used to these unusually high temperatures may experience symptoms related to heatstroke. Take the necessary precautions." We are used to this kind of message. During summer periods, these are routine warnings in countries like Italy, and now also – increasingly – in northern European nations. The United States also frequently faces particularly intense heat waves. But this time the advisory in question takes on a historic character: it is the first time that the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued one for Alaska.

In 2019, Alaska broke heat records

It had never happened before that an abnormal heat advisory was issued for the most northerly state in the US, located at the north-western tip of the continent and bordered by the Arctic Ocean. The first advisory was issued on Sunday 15 June in the city of Fairbanks, the second largest city in the state, home to 32,000 people, where temperatures reached 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29.4 degrees Celsius).

Massimo ✓ @Rainmaker1973

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Alaska just entered uncharted territory with its first National Weather Service heat advisories as Interior temperatures soar to 89 degrees, 17 degrees above normal June highs.

Alaskans start suffering heat-related health problems at just 70 degrees because infrastructure is

♥ 891💬 159 14 giu 2025 · Apri su X →

This is not, in fact, the first time that Alaska has experienced abnormal surface temperatures during the summer months. In 2024, temperatures exceeded 90 degrees Fahrenheit, equal to 32.2 degrees Celsius, on two separate occasions. And in 2019, an extreme heat wave led to all-time records being broken in Anchorage, Fairbanks and other locations.

The National Weather Service wants to provide more information to the public

What has changed, however, is the NWS's approach, which now aims to provide more information to the public, also with the goal of raising awareness about the issue. In the past, "special weather statements" were used, whereas now the same warning messages as the rest of the United States are being adopted.

Tyler Roney @TylerJRoney

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Crazy, but true!

The National Weather Service office in Fairbanks issued a Heat Advisory over the weekend and remains in effect through tonight. It's the first ever Heat Advisory issued in Alaska!

♥ 12 16 giu 2025 · Apri su X →

Rich Thomas, of the state's Climate Assessment and Policy Center, stressed in this regard that "the current heat in the interior is not exceptional or record-breaking. There is a new official tool, which more clearly reflects a moment of awareness."

"We want to use the right words – in Alaska, people aren't used to these temperatures"

"We want to make sure we are using the right words and proper communication," said Alekya Srinivasan, a meteorologist based in Fairbanks, as reported by the Associated Press. "This is an important statement," she added. "The public needs to know that temperatures will rise and that they can be dangerous, since Alaska is not accustomed to values this high."

In the American state, the problems faced during heat waves are linked to a lack of adequate means to protect against them: air conditioners are virtually non-existent in buildings and, on the contrary, most structures are designed to retain heat as effectively as possible, in order to cope with harsh winters.

In Alaska, homes are designed to retain heat

But that is not all: neighbouring Canada is being affected by mega-wildfires and across much of North America the air has on many occasions become unbreathable. For this reason, populations enveloped in clouds of smoke have been urged to close their windows to limit exposure. Something which, during heat waves, makes it even more difficult to keep homes and workplaces at acceptable temperatures.