Heat advisory brings 80 degrees to the Arctic plains near Umiat

People working outdoors on the Arctic plains near Umiat could see temperatures as high as 80 degrees Thursday, under a National Weather Service heat advisory in effect until 10 p.m. It's the second straight day of the advisory, which covers the Western and Central Arctic Plains.

The heat itself is the hazard. The Weather Service warns that people in the region who aren't used to temperatures near 80 can get heat-related illness, and that outdoor workers, elders and people without cooling are the most exposed. It urges residents to check on vulnerable neighbors, limit strenuous work to early morning or evening, and watch for signs of heat exhaustion. Temperatures should cool into the low 50s overnight.

The heat stands out against the year. The office issued the same advisory for these zones repeatedly in July, with highs between 80 and 85, even though the first half of 2026 ran below normal statewide, Alaska's coldest January through June since 2012.