Unusual mid summer storm in Golovin and local observations about changes in the salmon harvest.
Observation by Carol Oliver
We've had a few nice beautiful days and then cool rainy/windy days most of the time. So we took advantage of every sunny day!! Guess you heard we had purse seiners in our region; fishing for pinks, not really sure how well it went; a lot of the guys flew out before the storm. maybe purse seining in our Bay wasn't a great idea. Nice place to seek shelter though. There still are 3 boats in the Lagoon. Local fishermen did good to great; but pulled out all their boats before the storm/high water. It was an early storm and I was more worried about our Grandson, who is on a processor out in this storm, they are fine; he'll call when he gets in cell range; pretty hard to find a safe port for those large vessels, but safe anyway. Subsistence fishing was very sad for campers, no fish in the nets to dry, or very little. We are hoping for a late run and hope to catch silvers and whatever to put away!!! We're missing our fish diet, which used to normally be, everyday, bake, broiled, boiled etc. Well, rain or shine, will go out for blueberries!!! If it cools off too quick, they may ruin.
Rick Thoman, Climate Scientist at the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy, writes:
A series of storms brought almost nonstop rains and winds to the southern Seward Peninsula coast the last week of July. Rainfall for the week of July 25-31st of 3 to 5 inches widespread and area rivers reached levels more typical of spring break-up than mid-summer. This followed what had already been a wet first three weeks of July. At Nome, the total rainfall for the month of 6.41" made this the wettest July since 1920. The Rocky Point weather station, west of Golovin, reported 6.8" of rain in July.
Comments by LEO Editors:
On July 28th 2021, Northwest Alaska received 1.5 inches of rain, high winds and high surf. According to this article published by Alaska's News Source:
"Heavy rain, strong winds and high surf have lashed northwest Alaska over the last few days. A flood advisory is in effect for the Nome and Snake rivers near Nome through 2:45 p.m. Thursday."
Water over-topped the old runway in Golovin Wednesday too as the prolonged southwest winds, wet weather and high tide pushed in the water."*
For additional information on timing of salmon fishing and berry-picking, this Alaska Fish On calendar, and this Alaska Trekker berry guide have great information.
Chyna Perez-Williams
