Alaska/Western Canada obs and discussion

[baroclinic_instability]

I thought you guys/gals might enjoy this little 936 hpa beauty.

[andyhb]

Snowed in Tokyo with that thing.

[beavis1729]

It's a bit chilly in Deadhorse, AK this morning.  The temp is -40 with a SW wind at 12 mph....leading to a wind chill of -67.

 

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
449 AM AKST MON FEB 18 2013

AKZ206-190130-
/X.EXT.PAFG.WC.W.0004.000000T0000Z-130219T1500Z/
NORTHEASTERN BROOKS RANGE-
INCLUDING...ANAKTUVUK PASS...ATIGUN PASS...GALBRAITH LAKE...
SAGWON...FRANKLIN BLUFFS
449 AM AKST MON FEB 18 2013

...WIND CHILL WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST TUESDAY IN
PASSES...

THE WIND CHILL WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST TUESDAY.

* LOCATION...IN PASSES.

* WIND CHILL VALUES...WIND CHILL TO 65 BELOW.

* TIMING...LOW WIND CHILL CONTINUING THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT.

* IMPACTS...EXPOSED FLESH CAN FREEZE IN A SHORT TIME RESULTING
  IN FROSTBITE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND CHILL WARNING MEANS THAT DANGEROUSLY LOW WIND CHILLS WITH
SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF 15 MPH OR MORE ARE OCCURRING OR
EXPECTED. IF OUTDOORS...COVER EXPOSED SKIN TO PREVENT FROSTBITE.

 

[beavis1729]

Even colder in Deadhorse AK now...wind chill -70. 

Temp -42, wind SW 12 mph.

 

PASC 181953Z 23010KT 10SM CLR M41/ A3070 RMK AO2 SLP400 T1406
 

[baroclinic_instability]

About time. A real mesoscale sting jet, this beauty formed near the dateline the last two days. Note the "tail hook" wrapping into the center of the dryslot in between the bent-back warm front and the cold front (frontal fracture). The tail hook is right near the dateline/50N.

[beavis1729]

While we're all aware of the incredibly cold March-April in the Northern Plains, Alaska has had a frigid April too.  Fairbanks still has 17" of snow on the ground; their snow pack is usually gone by mid-April.

 

From NWS Fairbanks:

 

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
351 PM AKDT SUN APR 28 2013

...RECORD COLD MORNING IN INTERIOR ALASKA...

COLD TEMPERATURES CONTINUE TO GRIP NORTHERN ALASKA. MANY STATIONS
IN THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN INTERIOR SHATTERED RECORD LOW
TEMPERATURES THIS MORNING. FOR EXAMPLE...THE LOW TEMPERATURE OF
1 ABOVE ZERO AT EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE BROKE THE PREVIOUS RECORD
OF 16 ABOVE WHICH WAS SET IN 1945.

THE LOW TEMPERATURE OF 2 ABOVE ZERO AT THE FAIRBANKS AIRPORT IS
THE THIRD LOWEST TEMPERATURE THIS LATE IN THE SPRING. THE LAST
TIME IT WAS THIS COLD SO LATE IN THE SEASON WAS ON MAY 9TH 1964
WHEN THE TEMPERATURE AT THE AIRPORT BOTTOMED OUT AT 1 BELOW ZERO.
THE NORMAL LOW TEMPERATURE FOR APRIL 28TH IN FAIRBANKS IS 30
ABOVE.

IN ADDITION TO NEW RECORD LOW TEMPERATURES OBSERVED THIS
MORNING...MANY STATIONS TIED OR BROKE RECORDS FOR THE COLDEST HIGH
TEMPERATURE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. TEMPERATURES FAILED TO CLIMB OUT
OF THE 20S ACROSS MUCH OF THE INTERIOR ON SATURDAY. THE FAIRBANKS
AIRPORT REACHED 29 ABOVE ON THE 27TH...WHICH TIES THE COLDEST MAXIMUM
TEMPERATURE FOR THAT DAY WHICH WAS SET IN 1935. NORMAL HIGHS IN
LATE APRIL ARE IN THE UPPER 40S AND LOWER 50S.

THE EXTENDED COLD SPELL THIS MONTH HAS PUT THE BREAKS ON SNOWMELT
AND THE BREAKUP OF RIVER ICE IN NORTHERN ALASKA. THIS APRIL IS
CURRENTLY EXPECTED TO BE THE THIRD COLDEST ON RECORD. THE LAST TIME
FAIRBANKS HAS SEEN AN APRIL THIS COLD WAS BACK IN 1924.

BELOW IS A SUMMARY OF LOW TEMPERATURES REPORTED THIS MORNING. ONLY
LONG TERM STATIONS WITH A SUFFICIENT PERIOD OF RECORD HAVE BEEN
IDENTIFIED IF A RECORD LOW WAS BROKEN.

CIRCLE HOT SPRINGS............9 BELOW
SALCHA RIVER-MILE 25..........9 BELOW
CHENA HOT SPRINGS.............8 BELOW
GOLDSTREAM CR (FAIRBANKS).....6 BELOW
SMITH LAKE (UAF)..............6 BELOW
TOK...........................6 BELOW
EAGLE.........................5 BELOW* (OLD RECORD 2 ABOVE 1927)
LIVENGOOD.....................3 BELOW
DENALI VISITOR CENTER.........2 BELOW
EIELSON AFB...................1 ABOVE* (OLD RECORD 16 ABOVE 1945)
COLLEGE OBSERVATORY...........2 ABOVE* (OLD RECORD 18 ABOVE 1992)
FAIRBANKS AIRPORT.............2 ABOVE* (OLD RECORD 8 ABOVE 1924)
DELTA JUNCTION................3 ABOVE* (OLD RECORD 15 ABOVE 1972)

* INDICATES NEW RECORD LOW TEMPERATURE

 

[beavis1729]

From NWS Fairbanks...very impressive.

 

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
412 PM AKDT WED MAY 1 2013

...MONTHLY WEATHER SUMMARY FOR FAIRBANKS ALASKA...

WINTER REFUSED TO LOOSEN ITS GRIP ON THE INTERIOR IN APRIL. APRIL
2013 WILL GO DOWN IN THE RECORD BOOKS AS THE 3RD COLDEST OUT OF
108 YEARS OF RECORDS AT THE FAIRBANKS AIRPORT. AT THE FAIRBANKS
AIRPORT THE AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE WAS 30.4 DEGREES WHICH WAS 14.1
DEGREES BELOW THE NORMAL HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 44.5 DEGREES. THE
AVERAGE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE WAS 5.5 DEGREES WHICH WAS 15.1 DEGREES
BELOW THE NORMAL MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 20.6 DEGREES. THIS
INCLUDED 6 DAYS WITH MINIMUM TEMPERATURES OF 10 BELOW OR COLDER. THE
AVERAGE TEMPERATURE FOR APRIL WAS 17.9 WHICH WAS 14.6 DEGREES
BELOW THE AVERAGE TEMPERATURE OF 32.5 DEGREES.

THE WARMEST TEMPERATURE FOR APRIL WAS 48 DEGREES WHICH OCCURRED ON
THE 23RD. THE LAST TIME THAT THE TEMPERATURE FAILED TO REACH 50
DEGREES OR WARMER DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL AT THE FAIRBANKS
AIRPORT WAS IN 1972. THE COLDEST TEMPERATURE FOR APRIL WAS 21
BELOW WHICH OCCURRED ON THE 11TH...HOWEVER THIS TEMPERATURE DID
NOT BREAK THE DAILY RECORD FOR THAT DATE OF 32 BELOW WHICH OCCURRED
IN 1911. 32 BELOW IS ALSO THE RECORD COLD LOW TEMPERATURE FOR THE
MONTH OF APRIL AT THE FAIRBANKS AIRPORT. A RECORD LOW WAS SET ON THE
12TH WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED TO 15 BELOW. ANOTHER RECORD LOW
TEMPERATURE WAS SET ON THE 28TH WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED TO 2
ABOVE. THE LOW TEMPERATURE OF 2 ABOVE ON THE 28TH AT THE FAIRBANKS
AIRPORT IS THE THIRD LOWEST TEMPERATURE THAT LATE IN THE SEASON.
THE LAST TIME IT WAS THAT COLD THAT LATE IN THE SEASON WAS ON MAY
9TH 1964 WHEN THE TEMPERATURE AT THE FAIRBANKS AIRPORT DROPPED TO
1 BELOW. A RECORD LOW MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 29 DEGREES WAS TIED
AT THE FAIRBANKS AIRPORT ON THE 27TH WHICH WAS SET IN 1935.

APRIL 2013 RANKED AS THE 8TH SNOWIEST ON RECORD WITH 9.9 INCHES
OF SNOW FALLING AT THE FAIRBANKS AIRPORT. THE ABOVE NORMAL APRIL
SNOW FALL BRINGS THE SEASON TO DATE TOTAL AS OF 30 APRIL TO 64.1
INCHES WHICH IS 1.2 INCHES ABOVE THE NORMAL SEASON TO DATE
SNOWFALL. NORMAL SNOWFALL FOR APRIL IS 2.9 INCHES. APRIL 2013 WAS
INDEED SNOWY HOWEVER IT PALES IN COMPARISON TO APRIL 1948 WHEN
25.1 INCHES OF SNOW FELL.

THE WELL BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND ABOVE NORMAL SNOW FALL PUT
THE BREAKS ON SNOW PACK MELT ACROSS THE INTERIOR. SNOW PACK DEPTH
AT THE FAIRBANKS AIRPORT ON THE 30TH OF APRIL WAS 18 INCHES WHICH
WAS THE THIRD GREATEST SNOW PACK DEPTH RECORDED FOR THAT DATE.
THE GREATEST SNOW PACK DEPTH RECORDED AT THE FAIRBANKS AIRPORT IS
29 INCHES WHICH OCCURRED IN 1937. THE SECOND MOST SNOW PACK DEPTH
OF 19 INCHES OCCURRED IN 1918. THE LATEST DATE ON RECORD FOR THE
LAST DAY OF CONTINUOUS SNOW COVER AT THE FAIRBANKS AIRPORT IS THE
19TH OF MAY WHICH OCCURRED IN 1937. THE SECOND LATEST DATE FOR
THE LAST DAY OF CONTINUOUS SNOW COVER AT THE FAIRBANKS AIRPORT IS
THE 8TH OF MAY WHICH OCCURRED IN 1985. CONSIDERING CURRENT SNOW
PACK AND LONG RANGE TEMPERATURE FORECASTS...SETTING A NEW RECORD
FOR THE SECOND LATEST DATE OF CONTINUOUS SNOW COVER AT THE
FAIRBANKS AIRPORT LOOKS MORE AND MORE LIKELY.

LOOKING FORWARD TO MAY...POSSIBLE SUNSHINE INCREASES BY NEARLY 7
MINUTES PER DAY WITH DAY LIGHT HOURS INCREASING FROM 17 HOURS AND
6 MINUTES ON THE 1ST TO 20 HOURS AND 30 MINUTES ON THE 31ST.
CONTINUOUS CIVIL TWILIGHT BEGINS ON MAY 16TH. THE AVERAGE DAILY HIGH
TEMPERATURE INCREASES FROM 54 DEGREES ON THE 1ST OF MAY TO 67
DEGREES ON THE 31ST. THE AVERAGE DAILY LOW TEMPERATURE INCREASES
FROM 31 DEGREES ON THE 1ST TO 44 DEGREES ON THE 31ST.

THE FORECAST FOR THE MONTH OF MAY FROM THE CLIMATE PREDICTION
CENTER CALL FOR INCREASED CHANCES FOR BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES
FOR THE FAIRBANKS AREA.



OBSERVED LAST MONTH...04/2013

OBSERVED RANK
AVG MAX TEMP (F) 30.4 2ND COLDEST OF 108 YEARS
AVG MIN TEMP (F) 5.5 3RD COLDEST OF 109 YEARS
AVG TEMP (F) 17.9 3RD COLDEST OF 108 YEARS
TOTAL PRECIP (IN) 0.66 11TH WETTEST OF 100 YEARS
TOTAL SNOW (IN) 9.90 8TH SNOWIEST OF 98 YEARS

[baroclinic_instability]

 

 

It has been a joke of a spring. We just had more snow yesterday...breaking the daily record.

[baroclinic_instability]

Beaufort Sea ice breakup this spring, via the Suomi polar orbiting satellite. Awesome.

[andyhb]

Made it to at least 84˚F here today, probably hotter.

[N. OF PIKE]

It has been a joke of a spring. We just had more snow yesterday...breaking the daily record.

man snow in sept, snow in may, my type of winter season. June-aug i hope is beautiful b4 you enter the white darkness again

[beavis1729]

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
700 PM AKDT TUE MAY 7 2013

...FAIRBANKS COLDEST APRIL 3RD THROUGH MAY 7TH...

IF YOU THINK...OR FEEL...THAT THE PAST 5 WEEKS IN FAIRBANKS HAS
BEEN ONE OF COLDEST 5 WEEK PERIODS THIS LATE IN SPRING...YOU ARE
CORRECT. THE 5 WEEKS ENDING MAY 7, 2013 WILL GO ON THE RECORD
BOOKS AS THE COLDEST APRIL 3RD THOUGH MAY 7TH IN FAIRBANKS
RECORDED HISTORY. RECORDS DATE BACK 109 YEARS TO 1904.

THE AVERAGE TEMPERATURE FROM APRIL 3RD THROUGH MAY 7TH OF THIS
YEAR IS 19.9 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT...AS OF 7 PM TUESDAY EVENING. IN
SECOND PLACE IS THE YEAR 1924 WITH 20.6 DEGREES...3RD IS 1911 WITH
22.6...4TH IS 1927 WITH 23.6...AND 5TH IS 1948 WITH 24.6 DEGREES.

FAIRBANKS COLDEST APRIL 3RD THROUGH MAY 7TH PERIODS ON RECORD:

   YEAR........AVERAGE TEMPERATURE(F)

1. 2013........19.9
2. 1924........20.6
3. 1911........22.6
4. 1927........23.6
5. 1948........24.6

[ORH_wxman]

The Nenana Ice Classic is aiming for the latest melt out on record (97 years worth). I doubt it can last to beat the 1964 date of May 20th, but 2nd place is attainable if the tripod stands another 24 hours:

 

http://www.nenanaakiceclassic.com/

 

Been an amazing spring (or lack of) up there.

[baroclinic_instability]

The Nenana Ice Classic is aiming for the latest melt out on record (97 years worth). I doubt it can last to beat the 1964 date of May 20th, but 2nd place is attainable if the tripod stands another 24 hours:

 

http://www.nenanaakiceclassic.com/

 

Been an amazing spring (or lack of) up there.

Yeah, it has been awful. We are going to get snow tomorrow here in ANC. Latest accumulating snow in ANC is May 22. 

[beavis1729]

NORTHERN ALASKA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
613 AM AKDT FRI MAY 17 2013

.DISCUSSION...
AN UPPER TROUGH WITH UNSEASONABLY VERY COLD AIR ALOFT EXTENDS FROM BRISTOL BAY NORTHWARD INTO THE ARCTIC OCEAN...WITH AN UPPER LOW CENTER NEAR CAPE LISBURNE. THE TROUGH WILL GRADUALLY
BECOME ORIENTED SOUTHEAST TO NORTHWEST...BY EARLY SUNDAY MORNING
THE TROUGH AXIS WILL EXTEND FROM THE NORTHWESTERN PANHANDLE TO
NORTH AND WEST OF WRANGEL ISLAND. THIS WILL ALLOW THE VERY COLD
AIR MASS TO SPREAD EASTWARD ACROSS THE REMAINDER OF NORTHERN
ALASKA. THE UNSEASONABLY VERY COLD AIR MASS WILL MODIFY A
LITTLE BUT STILL BE EXTREMELY COLD FOR THIS LATE IN THE SEASON.
850 MB TEMPERATURES OVER THE WESTERN INTERIOR COULD BE AS COLD
AS -18 DEGREES CELSIUS TONIGHT. THE 850 MB TEMPERATURE AT
FAIRBANKS COULD FALL TO AROUND -14 DEGREES CELSIUS SATURDAY
THROUGH SUNDAY. THIS TEMPERATURE...IF IT OCCURS...WOULD BE
THE COLDEST EVER OBSERVED AT 850 MB THIS LATE IN THE SEASON.

 

[beavis1729]

Fairbanks has had 43 consecutive days with below normal temperatures, going back to April 4.

[beavis1729]

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
1034 AM AKDT WED MAY 15 2013

...MORE RECORD COLD TEMPERATURES BROKEN...

AN ARCTIC AIR MASS OVER ALASKA CONTINUES TO BREAK COLD TEMPERATURE
RECORDS IN THE INTERIOR. SEVERAL LOCATIONS BROKE RECORD LOW MAXIMUM
TEMPERATURES ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON. MANY LOCATIONS BROKE RECORD LOW
TEMPERATURES THIS MORNING. FOR COMPARISON...THE NORMAL HIGH
TEMPERATURE TODAY IN FAIRBANKS IS 61 DEGREES AND THE NORMAL LOW IS
38 DEGREES.

BELOW IS A SUMMARY OF HIGH TEMPERATURES FROM TUESDAY AND LOW
TEMPERATURES FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING. ONLY LONG TERM STATIONS WITH
A SUFFICIENT PERIOD OF RECORD HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IF A RECORD LOW
WAS BROKEN.

AFTERNOON HIGH TEMPERATURES TUESDAY MAY 14TH:

ATIGUN PASS...................10 ABOVE
AMBLER........................18 ABOVE
CHANDALAR SHELF DOT...........20 ABOVE
SHUNGNAK......................23 ABOVE
BETTLES.......................32 ABOVE* (OLD RECORD 36 IN 1964)
GALENA........................33 ABOVE* (OLD RECORD 36 IN 1966)
NORTHWAY......................35 ABOVE* (OLD RECORD 39 IN 2000)
COLDFOOT......................36 ABOVE
EAGLE.........................39 ABOVE* (OLD RECORD 42 IN 2010)
DELTA JUNCTION................40 ABOVE* (TIE RECORD 40 IN 1967)
TANANA........................41 ABOVE
EIELSON AFB...................42 ABOVE
FAIRBANKS AIRPORT.............42 ABOVE

MORNING LOW TEMPERATURES WEDNESDAY MAY 15TH:

CHANDALAR SHELF DOT............8 ABOVE
ARCTIC VILLAGE.................9 ABOVE
DENALI PARK VISITOR CENTER....12 ABOVE
COLDFOOT......................13 ABOVE
SMITH LAKE....................13 ABOVE
GOLDSTREAM CREEK..............14 ABOVE
BETTLES.......................14 ABOVE* (OLD RECORD 19 IN 1965)
CHENA HOT SPRINGS.............16 ABOVE
HUSLIA........................16 ABOVE
FORT YUKON....................17 ABOVE
TANANA........................21 ABOVE
UAF COLLEGE OBSERVATORY.......21 ABOVE* (OLD RECORD 25 IN 1970)
EIELSON AFB...................24 ABOVE* (OLD RECORD 25 IN 2001)
FAIRBANKS AIRPORT.............24 ABOVE  (RECORD IS 23 IN 1937)

* INDICATES NEW OR TIED RECORD

 

[beavis1729]

...WINTER RETURNING TO THE INTERIOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY...

A VERY STRONG COLD FRONT NOW IN THE WESTERN INTERIOR OF ALASKA
WILL MOVE EAST THROUGH FAIRBANKS FRIDAY AND CONTINUE EAST TO THE
CANADIAN BORDER BY SATURDAY AFTERNOON. SNOW...WINDS AND RECORD
COLD TEMPERATURES WILL ACCOMPANY THE COLD FRONT. AFTERNOON
TEMPERATURES ARE ONLY IN THE TEENS ALONG THE WEST COAST OF ALASKA
BEHIND THE COLD FRONT TODAY.

HEAVY SNOW WILL FALL OVER THE ALASKA RANGE AND THE BROOKS RANGE
TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY WITH STORM TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 6
TO 12 INCHES. THE HILLS OF THE INTERIOR ABOVE 1500 FEET WILL HAVE
4 TO 6 INCHES OF SNOW FROM FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY. THERE WILL
ALSO BE BLOWING SNOW OVER HILLS AND IN PASSES. TRAVEL WILL BE
DIFFICULT IN THOSE AREAS.

IN FAIRBANKS...RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS ON FRIDAY MORNING WILL
CHANGE TO SNOW BY FRIDAY AFTERNOON AS THE COLD FRONT PASSES
THROUGH. SNOW IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE INTO SATURDAY. MOST OF THE
SNOW WILL MELT AFTER ITS HITS THE GROUND AT LOWER ELEVATIONS...BUT
HILLS ABOVE 1500 FEET WILL HAVE 4 TO 6 INCHES OF SNOW
ACCUMULATION. GUSTY WEST WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH WILL ACCOMPANY THE
FRONT FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY. TEMPERATURES WILL FALL
FROM FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY...WITH HIGHS SATURDAY IN THE UPPER
20S TO LOWER 30S.


 

[baroclinic_instability]

...WINTER RETURNING TO THE INTERIOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY...

A VERY STRONG COLD FRONT NOW IN THE WESTERN INTERIOR OF ALASKA

WILL MOVE EAST THROUGH FAIRBANKS FRIDAY AND CONTINUE EAST TO THE

CANADIAN BORDER BY SATURDAY AFTERNOON. SNOW...WINDS AND RECORD

COLD TEMPERATURES WILL ACCOMPANY THE COLD FRONT. AFTERNOON

TEMPERATURES ARE ONLY IN THE TEENS ALONG THE WEST COAST OF ALASKA

BEHIND THE COLD FRONT TODAY.

HEAVY SNOW WILL FALL OVER THE ALASKA RANGE AND THE BROOKS RANGE

TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY WITH STORM TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 6

TO 12 INCHES. THE HILLS OF THE INTERIOR ABOVE 1500 FEET WILL HAVE

4 TO 6 INCHES OF SNOW FROM FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY. THERE WILL

ALSO BE BLOWING SNOW OVER HILLS AND IN PASSES. TRAVEL WILL BE

DIFFICULT IN THOSE AREAS.

IN FAIRBANKS...RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS ON FRIDAY MORNING WILL

CHANGE TO SNOW BY FRIDAY AFTERNOON AS THE COLD FRONT PASSES

THROUGH. SNOW IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE INTO SATURDAY. MOST OF THE

SNOW WILL MELT AFTER ITS HITS THE GROUND AT LOWER ELEVATIONS...BUT

HILLS ABOVE 1500 FEET WILL HAVE 4 TO 6 INCHES OF SNOW

ACCUMULATION. GUSTY WEST WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH WILL ACCOMPANY THE

FRONT FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY. TEMPERATURES WILL FALL

FROM FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY...WITH HIGHS SATURDAY IN THE UPPER

20S TO LOWER 30S.

 

I would include snow pics right now, but I am too disgusted. Accumulating on grass now, but there should be a legit shot for accumulations on the road after dark.

[Sugarloaf1989]

I would include snow pics right now, but I am too disgusted. Accumulating on grass now, but there should be a legit shot for accumulations on the road after dark.

 

 

I don't blame you I can only imagine how terrible it would be to have a winter that has stretched on now for 9 months. I like snow, but I'd be sick of it to at this point in May. Hang in there, it looks better for you in the extended forecast.

[N. OF PIKE]

I don't blame you I can only imagine how terrible it would be to have a winter that has stretched on now for 9 months. I like snow, but I'd be sick of it to at this point in May. Hang in there, it looks better for you in the extended forecast.

as a snow lover i would never have disgust reporting snow, i may grow tiresome of endless cold but snow from late sept to mid/late may (almost 8 months sounds great)

[beavis1729]

RECORD EVENT REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MCGRATH AK
638 AM AKDT SAT MAY 18 2013

...NEW RECORD LOW TEMPERATURE FOR MCGRATH...

MCGRATH SET A NEW RECORD LOW TEMPERATURE OF 15 DEGREES THIS MORNING.
THIS BREAKS THE PREVIOUS RECORD OF 28 DEGREES SET IN 1975.

 

 

RECORD EVENT REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE KOTZEBUE AK
418 AM AKDT SAT MAY 18 2013

...RECORD LOW MINIMUM TEMPERATURE...
ON MAY 17, KOTZEBUE BROKE THE RECORD
LOW MINIMUM TEMPERATURE FOR THE DATE
THE LOW TEMPERATURE WAS 3 DEGREES ABOVE
ZERO. THIS BROKE THE PREVIOUS LOW MINIMUM
OF 4 DEGREES ABOVE ZERO SET IN 1992.

 

 

RECORD EVENT REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE VALDEZ AK
647 AM AKDT FRI MAY 17 2013

...RECORD SNOWFALL IN VALDEZ FOR MAY 16...

THE WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN VALDEZ MEASURED 1.3 INCHES OF SNOW
THURSDAY...NO SNOWFALL HAS BEEN MEASURED ON MAY 16 OF ANY YEAR.

[tacoman25]

Looks like accumulating snow in Anchorage today. Looking back through their records, I think this is unprecedented for this late in May.

[Sugarloaf1989]

as a snow lover i would never have disgust reporting snow, i may grow tiresome of endless cold but snow from late sept to mid/late may (almost 8 months sounds great)

 

 

I like snow too, I've skied in all 12 months of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, but Alaska is having a combination of snow and record cold in May and I am sure most of the population is tired of it, plus summer up there is short to begin with. Having temperature departures of -10 -20F in April and May would not make me happy.

[beavis1729]

Looks like accumulating snow in Anchorage today. Looking back through their records, I think this is unprecedented for this late in May.

Yep.  Anchorage Airport did report 0.2" on 5/22/1964...and their 2nd latest measurable snow was 0.2" on 5/17/1989.   

The latest 1" snowfall was 5/9/1963.

 

Data here:  http://pafg.arh.noaa.gov/cliMap/akClimate.php

 

Also, it looks like Fairbanks may drop into the teens tonight.  If so, it will be their latest sub-20 temp on record.

[beavis1729]

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
1254 PM AKDT SAT MAY 18 2013

...COLD WAVE SETS A NUMBER OF NEW RECORDS FOR INTERIOR ALASKA...

ON THE HEELS OF A COLD FRONT THAT SWEPT SOUTHEAST OVER THE
INTERIOR FRIDAY AND EARLY SATURDAY...A NUMBER OF LONG STANDING
TEMPERATURE RECORDS WERE BROKEN OR TIED.

RECORD LOW MAXIMUM TEMPERATURES ON FRIDAY MAY 17TH:

DELTA JUNCTION................34 (OLD RECORD 37 SET IN 1964)
DENALI PARK VISITOR CENTER....31 (OLD RECORD 35 SET IN 1989)
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE........36 (OLD RECORD 37 SET IN 1964)
GALENA........................34 (OLD RECORD 35 SET IN 1964)
NORTH POLE....................40 (OLD RECORD 41 SET IN 1992)
TANANA AIRPORT................34 (OLD RECORD 38 SET IN 1964)
UAF COLLEGE OBSERVATORY.......36 (OLD RECORD 40 SET IN 1992)

RECORD LOW MINIMUM TEMPERATURES ON SATURDAY MAY 18TH:

BETTLES AIRPORT...............10 (OLD RECORD 25 SET IN 1975)
DELTA JUNCTION................19 (OLD RECORD 22 SET IN 1992)
DENALI PARK VISITOR CENTER....14 (OLD RECORD 23 SET IN 1979)
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE........23 (OLD RECORD 30 SET IN 1996)
FAIRBANKS AIRPORT.............24 (OLD RECORD 27 SET IN 1943)
NORTH POLE....................26 (TIED OLD RECORD 26 SET IN 1992)
NORTHWAY......................23 (OLD RECORD 26 SET IN 1966)
TANANA AIRPORT................18 (OLD RECORD 22 SET IN 1935)
UAF COLLEGE OBSERVATORY.......21 (OLD RECORD 25 SET IN 2003)

[baroclinic_instability]

I don't blame you I can only imagine how terrible it would be to have a winter that has stretched on now for 9 months. I like snow, but I'd be sick of it to at this point in May. Hang in there, it looks better for you in the extended forecast.

 

 

as a snow lover i would never have disgust reporting snow, i may grow tiresome of endless cold but snow from late sept to mid/late may (almost 8 months sounds great)

It sucks, and if you guys even remotely know a little about me, I LOVE snow. I am a snow weenie. But it was a psychological blow. This is our best climo of the year (driest), and this is where we hike and enjoy the outdoors after a long winter. 

[canderson]

baroclinic, I want to live with you for a week sometime to go exploring. Jesus, you live in beautiful country.

[beavis1729]

RECORD EVENT REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE VALDEZ AK
913 AM AKDT SAT MAY 18 2013

...MORE VALDEZ WEATHER RECORDS FALL ...

THE HIGH TEMPERATURE ON FRIDAY MAY 17TH 2013 REACHED ONLY 39
DEGREES AT THE WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE. THIS BREAKS THE PREVIOUS LOW
MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE RECORD OF 41 DEGREES SET ON MAY 17TH 1966.

THE RECORD FOR LIQUID PRECIPITATION FOR THE 17TH TOOK A BIG LEAP
WITH 1.05 INCHES. THE OLD RECORD OF 0.70 INCHES WAS SET IN 1997.

THE SNOW SEASON THIS YEAR REPORTED ANOTHER RECORD WITH 0.5
INCHES OF SNOW FOR THE DAY. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SNOW HAS BEEN
MEASURED ON THE 17TH OF MAY.

THE SNOW DEPTH WAS 32 INCHES...WHICH IS WELL ABOVE THE OLD RECORD OF
12 INCHES FROM 1964.

[beavis1729]

Some of these records are incredible.

 

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
1149 AM AKDT SUN MAY 19 2013

...TEMPERATURE RECORDS CONTINUE TO FALL IN INTERIOR ALASKA...

STRONG COLD AIR FROM THE ARCTIC PUSHED TEMPERATURES DOWN ACROSS
THE INTERIOR THE LAST FEW DAYS TO RECORD LEVEL. TEMPERATURES WILL
BE ON THE RISE TODAY THOUGH A FEW RECORDS COULD FALL TODAY BEFORE
THE COLD AIR EXITS THE STATE.

RECORD MINIMUM HIGH TEMPERATURES ON SATURDAY MAY 18TH...
                                       MAX
                                   TEMPERATURE    PREVIOUS RECORD
FAIRBANKS....................................................35            44 (1918)
TANANA........................................................34            41 (1918)
FORT YUKON.................................................30            44 (1944)
COLLEGE OBSERVATORY AT UAF.....................32            37 (1964)
BETTLES........................................................27            35 (1975)
EAGLE COOPERATIVE OBSERVER.....................32            40 (1992)
DELTA JUNCTION...........................................29           39 (1992)
EIELSON AFB..................................................34            42 (1992)
NORTHWAY...................................................33            38 (1992)
DENALI PARK VISITOR CENTER.......................36            39 (1992)
NORTH POLE (KJNP)......................................35            43 (1992)
MCGRATH.......................................................36            52 (1993)

RECORD LOW TEMPERATURES FOR MAY 19TH...

FORT YUKON..................................................21            26 (1941)
EIELSON AFB..................................................23            29 (1966)
NORTHWAY.....................................................21            25 (1966)
TANANA...........................................................14            18 (1975)
BETTLES.........................................................10            14 (1975)
COLLEGE OBSERVATORY AT UAF......................20            26 (1983)
MCGRATH.......................................................20            28 (1985)
NORTH POLE (KJNP)......................................21            25 (1996)
DELTA JUNCTION...........................................19            30 (1999)
TOK.................................................................19 TIED       19 (1999)