Facing rapid warming, alongside other shifting environmental and social conditions, Arctic communities are being forced to contend with a range of risks and hazards. Community resilience depends on robust and readily-available observations before, during, and after hazards arise. To support a better coordinated and more effective observing system, the US Arctic Observing Network (US AON) team is undertaking a series of gaps analysis case studies focused on risk management and hazard mitigation.
This effort is responsive to a deliverable within the 2022-2026 IARPC Arctic Research Plan: Conduct observational gaps analysis case studies to inform understanding of the capabilities, opportunities, and gaps in Arctic observing and data systems, with an initial focus on risk management and hazard mitigation.
Publicly available project deliverables:
- Project timeline
- US AON Code Book
- Engagement dashboard
- Additional information will be shared in Summer 2025.
Aviation Weather
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US AON partnered with experts on aviation weather and climate records to understand how observations connect to safe travel and community well-being, revealing the impact of outages and other common issues. Read the technical brief here: Arctic Observations Storylines: Airport Weather Stations (2025)
River Watch
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Ice jam flooding is one of the most significant hazards that Alaskan communities face each year. During the spring ‘breakup’ season, Alaskan rivers transition from thick ice to open water with ice jams and damaging flooding possible. Early warning systems protect life and property and can reduce costly clean-up efforts after a flood. River Watch is a partnership between the State of Alaska and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service (NWS) Alaska Region. The team integrates snowpack, weather, and stream observations into a comprehensive, engaging, and timely understanding of springtime river conditions. The goal is to enhance community flood preparedness and provide advanced warning for flooding should an ice jam form. In addition to drawing upon a suite of satellite and in situ observations, River Watch engages with Indigenous experts within communities to link their Indigenous Knowledge of conditions with other tools, including River Watch reconnaissance flights.
The US AON-River Watch case study highlights the complex observing system required for forecasting river ice breakup - showing gaps and strengths throughout the system. Read the technical brief here: Arctic Observations Storylines: River Watch (2024)