Would a “baked Alaska” joke be in bad taste?

Alaska is the northernmost state of the United States (it’s so far north, you gotta go past Canada). Since it’s so far north, it’s understandably a pretty cold place. Or at least, it’s supposed to be. Typically, in Alaska, it’s pretty unusual if temperatures get up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In the last couple of years, though, they’ve not only reached 70 several times, but blown right past it.

Very warm temps broke a few more record highs Sat, including a 110 year old record. In 1909 Downtown Juneau reached 80 degrees, it was surpassed by the 83 yesterday. More very warm temperatures may threaten records today. #akwx .@KTOOpubmedia .@800KINY .@ravenradio .@KFSK1 pic.twitter.com/JHpx264T2v

— NWS Juneau (@NWSJuneau) June 30, 2019

Alaska has been caught in several domes of sweltering heat that are usually unheard of in the region. Last July, the city of Anchorage was at the center of a record-breaking 82 degree heat wave, the highest temperature record in Alaska in three years. To say this was miserable for the citizens of Anchorage would be an understatement; many houses in Alaskan cities aren’t equipped with air conditioning. Why would they need it, the temperature is usually so low! But without air conditioning, citizens had to use every cooling trick in the book (opening windows, using fans, stripping down, etc.) just to keep themselves from collapsing in the heat.

Credit: Phys.org

Now, I don’t mean to be an alarmist, but when a state that usually has temperatures around 60 degrees in the summer suddenly shoots past 80, that’s got to be a sign that something isn’t right. Heck, it’s not just the summer, even the winter and spring have been unusually warm for up north, and the people don’t know what to do. Extreme, unusual weather can negatively impact many parts of a territory’s infrastructure. As it stands, it could just be a warm front travelling farther north than usual. But if this continues, then I can’t think of any other culprit besides climate change.