Anchorage reached 90 degrees on the 4th of July, shattering previous all-time record
This Fourth of July was “one for the books” in Alaska, at least in terms of its unprecedented scorching temperatures.
The National Weather Service confirmed the temperature in Anchorage reached 90 degrees, breaking an all-time high set 50 years ago.
The previous record was set on June 14, 1969: 85 degrees.
The record-setting temperature was caused by a number of factors, including warm sea temperatures caused by the hottest June on record and a “warm atmospheric setup,” said Anchorage-based climatologist Brian Brettschneider.
'Unbelievable': All-time record heat set to bake Alaska
“A massively large and warm airmass from the surface to over 15,000 feet intensified right over southern Alaska,” Brettschneider told USA TODAY. “This warm air aloft kept the surface air that was heated by the sun at the ground level.”
The #4thofjuly2019 was one for the books. Several ALL-TIME high temperature records were set at official observation sites throughout Southern #Alaska. But that's not all...there were more daily temperature records set too! #AKwx #ItsHotInAlaska pic.twitter.com/GxcdUaD9ld
— NWS Anchorage (@NWSAnchorage) July 5, 2019
The weather led to a cancellation of all Fourth of July fireworks shows in the Alaska city, as well as a burn ban for campfires and bonfires.
In addition to the heat wave, the city is currently impacted by the Swan Lake Fire in which over 77,000 acres have already burned south of Anchorage. The fire has since been exacerbated due to “the hot and dry weather conditions over the fire area.”
"Anchorage is not a warm city. We are not built for 90°F temperatures – just as Los Angeles is not built for 20°F temperatures in the winter," said Brettschneider. "We will manage, but most everyone I know is ready for it to be over. I certainly am."
Contributing: Doyle Rice, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Anchorage reached 90 degrees on the 4th of July, shattering previous all-time record
