Posts Tagged ‘climate’
In Western Alaska, winter’s coming – and quickly
The snow covers mountains, hills, and the tundra. On clear nights, we are blessed with colorful auroras as the night sparkles with stars and planets. The scenic majesty of bush Alaska is breathtaking during the day and at night. As the seasons change and the thermometer falls towards zero, we thank all who help us…
Read MoreA failed sensor and a frozen pipe
At times, KNOM staff and volunteers face a variety of challenges. Last week brought engineering, computer, and plumbing difficulties, but with the help of professionals and an energetic staff, each problem was identified, and, when possible, solved. Among our glitches was a malfunctioning temperature sensor at our studio building. The sensor is designed to feed…
Read MoreA missing girl found, and the threats of fall storms
Recently, KNOM coordinated with the Nome Police Department to locate a missing 10-year-old girl who had disappeared on her way home from school. Just as we always do for all missing-person cases, we immediately began broadcasting announcements with the girl’s description and her last known whereabouts, in the hopes that someone in our listening range…
Read MoreOctober 1992: Seas surge in fall storm
October 5, 1992 The worst storm in eighteen years strikes Nome: a low-pressure center swells a storm surge to eight feet above normal, with waves cresting ten feet above that. Covered with flotsam and jetsam, Nome’s main thoroughfare is under water, and where it runs along the beach, half of it is gone. Several roofs…
Read MoreSigns of winter, a missing girl found, and prayers for Father Armand
The first dusting of snow has fallen on the hills just north of KNOM. Soon, the tundra will be covered with a carpet of snow and ice. With the change of the seasons, critical weather reports on KNOM can help save lives and keep families safe. We are blessed with this opportunity to serve KNOM’s…
Read MoreHeavy weather, a week of cancelled flights, and new volunteers
As you may know, the Western Alaska communities that we serve are not connected to the state’s road system. Our ability to travel and to transport goods is thoroughly dependent upon commercial and cargo airlines and, especially, upon the weather. Lately, low visibility and other poor conditions have forced the cancellation of a number of Nome-bound flights.…
Read MoreSummer challenges: weather broadcasts and telephone lines
Rural Alaska’s brief summer brings more than its share of unique challenges, many of which we can anticipate. Every year, nonetheless, unexpected emergencies find a way of catching us by surprise. This summer, our friends at the National Weather Service are working with KNOM to overcome their latest difficulties. Normally, weather reports air on both…
Read MoreProfile: What Caused Mammoths to Go Extinct?
Wooly mammoths once roamed across Europe, Northern Asia, across the Bering Strait and throughout Alaska and Canada. But they mostly disappeared from North America around ten thousand years ago—and around four thousand years ago, they had vanished entirely. But why?
Read MoreFish and wildlife reports, and help from a KNOM alumnus
Fish are moving upriver, muskoxen are roaming the tundra, and bears are perched at the edge of streams looking for their next meal. Summer in bush Alaska means wildlife and fish reports on KNOM will keep everyone informed and safe. As summer progresses, our daily high temperatures are typically about 50 degrees, and we have been…
Read MoreSigns of summer, and letters of appreciation
The temperatures are hovering in the mid-50s, and our region’s families are fishing, hunting, and preparing to gather greens and berries. They are also listening to KNOM. The radio is a constant companion for thousands of Alaskans, and if they could, they would thank all who make this radio ministry possible! Signs of appreciation –…
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