FRI's Daniel Schindler says he's not "too concerned," suggesting that previous warm winters actually allowed for more juvenile growth and recruitment.
The numbers are in: last month was officially the warmest January on record in parts of western Alaska. Weather stations in Cold Bay and King Salmon logged their warmest January ever, based on average temperatures, and others nearby (Bethel - 3rd, Kodiak - 9th) indicate southwest was not alone.
The 62 degrees recorded in Port Alsworth on January 27 also tied the all-time warmest temperature recorded in January across the whole state.
With many of Bristol Bay’s normally frozen-over waters currently open, including the bay itself, we've been curious what effect the unseasonable conditions could have on our juvenile salmon.
KDLG’s Dave Bendinger spoke with Prof. Daniel Schindler at the University of Washington's Fisheries Research Institute to find out more.