Climate of Alaska: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] --> |
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[[File:Köppen Climate Types Alaska.png|thumb|400x400px|[[Köppen climate classification|Köppen climate types]] of Alaska, using 1981-2010 [[Climatological normal|climate normals]].]] |
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[[File:Alaska Köppen.svg|thumb|300px|[[Köppen climate classification|Köppen climate types]] of Alaska.]] |
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[[Image:2010 Dust Storm off Alaska.jpg|thumb|Natural-color satellite image showing thin plumes of beige [[dust]] blowing off the Alaskan coast.]] |
[[Image:2010 Dust Storm off Alaska.jpg|thumb|Natural-color satellite image showing thin plumes of beige [[dust]] blowing off the Alaskan coast.]] |
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[[Image:Barrow beach.jpg|thumb|[[Utqiaġvik, Alaska]] is the northernmost city in the United States.]] |
[[Image:Barrow beach.jpg|thumb|[[Utqiaġvik, Alaska]] is the northernmost city in the United States.]] |
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===South=== |
===South=== |
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The climate in south central Alaska, with [[Anchorage, Alaska|Anchorage]] as a typical city, is mild by Alaskan standards. This is due in large part to its proximity to the coast. While it does not get nearly as much rain as the southeast of Alaska, it does get more snow, although days tend to be clearer |
The climate in south central Alaska, with [[Anchorage, Alaska|Anchorage]] as a typical city, is mild by Alaskan standards. This is due in large part to its proximity to the coast. While it does not get nearly as much rain as the southeast of Alaska, it does get more snow, although days tend to be clearer there. It is a subarctic climate (Köppen ''Dfc'') due to its short, cool summers. There are frequent, strong southeast winds known as the ''Knik wind'' in the vicinity of [[Palmer, Alaska|Palmer]], especially in the winter months.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Null|first1=Jan|title=Wind Names|url=http://ggweather.com/winds.html|website=Golden Gate Weather Services|access-date=17 April 2017}}</ref> |
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===West=== |
===West=== |
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===East=== |
===East=== |
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The climate of the east of Alaska is best described as extreme and is an excellent example of a true continental subarctic climate. Some of the hottest and coldest temperatures in Alaska occur around the area near [[Fairbanks, Alaska|Fairbanks]]. The summers can have temperatures reaching into the 90s °F (near 34 °C), while in the winter, the temperature can fall below {{convert|-50|F|C|1}}, and in rare cases, below {{convert|-60|F|C|1}}. Precipitation is generally sparse around the year, peaking during the summer months, and virtually all precipitation between October and April falls as snow. Ice fog is a significant hazard during especially cold periods between November and March.<ref name=Shulski>{{cite book|author1=Shulski, Martha |author2=Wendler, Gerd |title=The Climate of Alaska |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aUDWK8zDr50C |year=2007 |publisher=University of Alaska Press | |
The climate of the east of Alaska is best described as extreme and is an excellent example of a true continental subarctic climate. Some of the hottest and coldest temperatures in Alaska occur around the area near [[Fairbanks, Alaska|Fairbanks]]. The summers can have temperatures reaching into the 90s °F (near 34 °C), while in the winter, the temperature can fall below {{convert|-50|F|C|1}}, and in rare cases, below {{convert|-60|F|C|1}}. Precipitation is generally sparse around the year, peaking during the summer months, and virtually all precipitation between October and April falls as snow. Ice fog is a significant hazard during especially cold periods between November and March.<ref name=Shulski>{{cite book|author1=Shulski, Martha |author2=Wendler, Gerd |title=The Climate of Alaska |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aUDWK8zDr50C |year=2007 |publisher=University of Alaska Press |pages=38–53|isbn=978-1-60223-007-1}}</ref> |
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===North=== |
===North=== |
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The climate in the extreme north of Alaska is what would be expected for an area north of the [[Arctic Circle]]. It is an [[polar climate|Arctic climate]] (Köppen '' |
The climate in the extreme north of Alaska is what would be expected for an area north of the [[Arctic Circle]]. It is an [[polar climate|Arctic climate]] (Köppen ''EF'') with long, very cold winters and short, cool summers. The sun does not rise at all during some weeks in the winter, and is out for 24 hours during some weeks in the summer. However, despite 24 hours of sunshine in the summertime, the average low temperature is barely above freezing in [[Utqiaġvik, Alaska|Utqiaġvik]] in July, at {{convert|36|F|C|1}} and snow may fall any month of the year.<ref>[http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/PABR/2006/7/23/MonthlyHistory.html History for Barrow, Alaska. Monthly Summary for July 2006]. [[Weather Underground (weather service)|Weather Underground]]. Last accessed 23 October 2006.</ref> North Alaska is the coldest region in Alaska.<ref name=Shulski/> |
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===Temperature comparison=== |
===Temperature comparison=== |
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{{Location map~ |Alaska |mark=purple pog.svg |marksize=4|label_size= |lat_deg=66 |lat_min=33 |lat_sec=3 |lat_dir=N |lon_deg=145 |lon_min=15 |lon_sec=23 |lon_dir=W |position=left |label=Fort Yukon}} |
{{Location map~ |Alaska |mark=purple pog.svg |marksize=4|label_size= |lat_deg=66 |lat_min=33 |lat_sec=3 |lat_dir=N |lon_deg=145 |lon_min=15 |lon_sec=23 |lon_dir=W |position=left |label=Fort Yukon}} |
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{{Location map~ |Alaska |mark=purple pog.svg |marksize=4|label_size= |lat_deg=58 |lat_min=18 |lat_sec=0 |lat_dir=N |lon_deg=134 |lon_min=25 |lon_sec=0 |lon_dir=W |position=left |label=Juneau}} |
{{Location map~ |Alaska |mark=purple pog.svg |marksize=4|label_size= |lat_deg=58 |lat_min=18 |lat_sec=0 |lat_dir=N |lon_deg=134 |lon_min=25 |lon_sec=0 |lon_dir=W |position=left |label=Juneau}} |
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{{Location map~ |Alaska |mark=purple pog.svg |marksize=4|label_size= |lat_deg=57 |lat_min=03 |lat_sec=12 |lat_dir=N |lon_deg=135 |lon_min=20 |lon_sec=5 |lon_dir=W |position=left |label=Sitka}} |
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{{Location map~ |Alaska |mark=purple pog.svg |marksize=4|label_size= |lat_deg=55 |lat_min=28 |lat_sec=35 |lat_dir=N |lon_deg=133 |lon_min=08 |lon_sec=54 |lon_dir=W |position=left |label=Craig}} |
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{{Location map~ |Alaska |mark=purple pog.svg |marksize=4|label_size= |lat_deg=57 |lat_min=47 |lat_sec=35 |lat_dir=N |lon_deg=152 |lon_min=23 |lon_sec=39 |lon_dir=W |position=left |label=Kodiak}} |
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{{Location map~ |Alaska |mark=purple pog.svg |marksize=4|label_size= |lat_deg=66 |lat_min=53 |lat_sec=10 |lat_dir=N |lon_deg=162 |lon_min=35 |lon_sec=8 |lon_dir=W |position=left |label=Kotzebue}} |
{{Location map~ |Alaska |mark=purple pog.svg |marksize=4|label_size= |lat_deg=66 |lat_min=53 |lat_sec=10 |lat_dir=N |lon_deg=162 |lon_min=35 |lon_sec=8 |lon_dir=W |position=left |label=Kotzebue}} |
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{{Location map~ |Alaska |mark=purple pog.svg |marksize=4|label_size= |lat_deg=64 |lat_min=30 |lat_sec=14 |lat_dir=N |lon_deg=165 |lon_min=23 |lon_sec=58 |lon_dir=W |position=left |label=Nome}} |
{{Location map~ |Alaska |mark=purple pog.svg |marksize=4|label_size= |lat_deg=64 |lat_min=30 |lat_sec=14 |lat_dir=N |lon_deg=165 |lon_min=23 |lon_sec=58 |lon_dir=W |position=left |label=Nome}} |
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{{Location map~ |Alaska |mark=purple pog.svg |marksize=4|label_size= |lat_deg=53 |lat_min=53 |lat_sec=20 |lat_dir=N |lon_deg=166 |lon_min=31 |lon_sec=38 |lon_dir=W |position=left |label=Unalaska}} |
{{Location map~ |Alaska |mark=purple pog.svg |marksize=4|label_size= |lat_deg=53 |lat_min=53 |lat_sec=20 |lat_dir=N |lon_deg=166 |lon_min=31 |lon_sec=38 |lon_dir=W |position=left |label=Unalaska}} |
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{{Location map~ |Alaska |mark=purple pog.svg |marksize=4|label_size= |lat_deg=57 |lat_min=7 |lat_sec=30 |lat_dir=N |lon_deg=170 |lon_min=17 |lon_sec=3 |lon_dir=W |position=left |label=St. Paul}}}} |
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{| class="wikitable sortable nowrap" style="text-align: center; font-size: 85%;" |
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{| class="wikitable sortable sort-under" style="text-align: center; font-size: 85%;" |
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|+ Monthly average highs and lows<br>for various cities and towns in Alaska<br>in Fahrenheit and Celsius |
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|+ Monthly average highs and lows for various cities and towns in Alaska in Fahrenheit and Celsius |
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! City |
! City |
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! {{Tooltip|Jan|January}} |
! data-sort-type="number" | {{Tooltip|Jan|January}} |
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! {{Tooltip|Feb|February}} |
! data-sort-type="number" | {{Tooltip|Feb|February}} |
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! {{Tooltip|Mar|March}} |
! data-sort-type="number" | {{Tooltip|Mar|March}} |
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! {{Tooltip|Apr|April}} |
! data-sort-type="number" | {{Tooltip|Apr|April}} |
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! data-sort-type="number" | May |
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! May |
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! {{Tooltip|Jun|June}} |
! data-sort-type="number" | {{Tooltip|Jun|June}} |
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! {{Tooltip|Jul|July}} |
! data-sort-type="number" | {{Tooltip|Jul|July}} |
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! {{Tooltip|Aug|August}} |
! data-sort-type="number" | {{Tooltip|Aug|August}} |
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! {{Tooltip|Sep|September}} |
! data-sort-type="number" | {{Tooltip|Sep|September}} |
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! {{Tooltip|Oct|October}} |
! data-sort-type="number" | {{Tooltip|Oct|October}} |
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! {{Tooltip|Nov|November}} |
! data-sort-type="number" | {{Tooltip|Nov|November}} |
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! {{Tooltip|Dec|December}} |
! data-sort-type="number" | {{Tooltip|Dec|December}} |
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! <br /> !! data-sort-type="number" | !! data-sort-type="number" | !! data-sort-type="number" | !! data-sort-type="number" | !! data-sort-type="number" | !! data-sort-type="number" | !! data-sort-type="number" | !! data-sort-type="number" | !! data-sort-type="number" | !! data-sort-type="number" | !! data-sort-type="number" | !! data-sort-type="number" | |
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| [[Anchorage, Alaska|Anchorage]]<!-- forecast office --> |
| [[Anchorage, Alaska|Anchorage]]<!-- forecast office --> |
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| [[Sitka, Alaska|Sitka]] |
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| [[Craig, Alaska|Craig]] |
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| {{convert|39|/|33|F|disp=br()|abbr=values}} |
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| [[Kodiak, Alaska|Kodiak]] |
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| [[Kotzebue, Alaska|Kotzebue]] |
| [[Kotzebue, Alaska|Kotzebue]] |
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| [[St. Paul, Alaska|St. Paul]] |
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| {{convert|29|/|21|F|disp=br()|abbr=values}} |
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===Data=== |
===Data=== |
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The highest and lowest recorded temperatures in Alaska are both in the Interior. The highest is {{convert|100|F|1}} in [[Fort Yukon, Alaska|Fort Yukon]] on June 27, 1915.<ref name="NOAA-All Hazards">{{cite web | title = NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards Information - Alaska Weather Interesting Facts and Records | publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] | url = http://www.arh.noaa.gov/docs/AKWXfacts.pdf | access-date = 2007-01-03 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060929022606/http://www.arh.noaa.gov/docs/AKWXfacts.pdf | archive-date = 2006-09-29 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name=DRI>{{cite web | title = State Extremes | publisher = Western Regional Climate Center, [[Desert Research Institute]] | url = http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/htmlfiles/state.extremes.html | access-date = 2007-01-03 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = SD Weather History and Trivia for May: May 1 | publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] | url = http://www.crh.noaa.gov/fsd/?n=fsdtrivia05 | access-date = 2007-01-03 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = FAQ ALASKA - Frequently Asked Questions About Alaska: Weather | publisher = Statewide Library Electronic Doorway, [[University of Alaska Fairbanks]] | date = 2005-01-17 | url = http://sled.alaska.edu/akfaq/aksuper.html#wea | access-date = 2007-01-03 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070102180919/http://sled.alaska.edu/akfaq/aksuper.html#wea | archive-date = 2007-01-02 }}</ref> The lowest Alaska temperature is {{convert|−80|F|1}} in [[Prospect Creek, Alaska|Prospect Creek]] on January 23, 1971,<ref name="NOAA-All Hazards"/><ref name=DRI/> {{convert|1|F-change|1}} above the lowest temperature recorded in continental North America (in [[Snag, Yukon|Snag, Yukon, Canada]]).<ref>{{cite web | author = Ned Rozell | title = The Coldest Place in North America | publisher = Geophysical Institute of the [[University of Alaska Fairbanks]] | date = 2003-01-23 | url = http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF16/1630.html | access-date = 2007-01-03 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070202040955/http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF16/1630.html | archive-date = 2007-02-02 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Alaska also holds the extreme US record low temperatures for every month except September |
The highest and lowest recorded temperatures in Alaska are both in the Interior. The highest is {{convert|100|F|1}} in [[Fort Yukon, Alaska|Fort Yukon]] on June 27, 1915.<ref name="NOAA-All Hazards">{{cite web | title = NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards Information - Alaska Weather Interesting Facts and Records | publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] | url = http://www.arh.noaa.gov/docs/AKWXfacts.pdf | access-date = 2007-01-03 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060929022606/http://www.arh.noaa.gov/docs/AKWXfacts.pdf | archive-date = 2006-09-29 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name=DRI>{{cite web | title = State Extremes | publisher = Western Regional Climate Center, [[Desert Research Institute]] | url = http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/htmlfiles/state.extremes.html | access-date = 2007-01-03 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = SD Weather History and Trivia for May: May 1 | publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] | url = http://www.crh.noaa.gov/fsd/?n=fsdtrivia05 | access-date = 2007-01-03 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = FAQ ALASKA - Frequently Asked Questions About Alaska: Weather | publisher = Statewide Library Electronic Doorway, [[University of Alaska Fairbanks]] | date = 2005-01-17 | url = http://sled.alaska.edu/akfaq/aksuper.html#wea | access-date = 2007-01-03 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070102180919/http://sled.alaska.edu/akfaq/aksuper.html#wea | archive-date = 2007-01-02 }}</ref> The lowest Alaska temperature is {{convert|−80|F|1}} in [[Prospect Creek, Alaska|Prospect Creek]] on January 23, 1971,<ref name="NOAA-All Hazards"/><ref name=DRI/> {{convert|1|F-change|1}} above the lowest temperature recorded in continental North America (in [[Snag, Yukon|Snag, Yukon, Canada]]).<ref>{{cite web | author = Ned Rozell | title = The Coldest Place in North America | publisher = Geophysical Institute of the [[University of Alaska Fairbanks]] | date = 2003-01-23 | url = http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF16/1630.html | access-date = 2007-01-03 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070202040955/http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF16/1630.html | archive-date = 2007-02-02 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Alaska also holds the extreme US record low temperatures for every month except September, where Big Piney, Wyoming recorded -15 °F (-26.1 °C) on September 20, 1983, while the coldest temperature recorded in Alaska in September was -13 °F (25 °C) in Arctic Village on September 30, 1970. |
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{{Weather box |
{{Weather box |
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| Mar record high F = 71 |
| Mar record high F = 71 |
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| Apr record high F = 82 |
| Apr record high F = 82 |
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| May record high F = |
| May record high F = 93 |
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| Jun record high F = 100 |
| Jun record high F = 100 |
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| Jul record high F = 99 |
| Jul record high F = 99 |
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| Aug record high F = 99 |
| Aug record high F = 99 |
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| Sep record high F = |
| Sep record high F = 90 |
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| Oct record high F = |
| Oct record high F = 76 |
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| Nov record high F = 67 |
| Nov record high F = 67 |
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| Dec record high F = 67 |
| Dec record high F = 67 |
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| year record high = |
| year record high = |
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| Jan avg record high F = 50 |
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| Feb avg record high F = 51 |
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| Mar avg record high F = 60 |
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| Apr avg record high F = 68 |
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| May avg record high F = 78 |
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| Jun avg record high F = 86 |
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| Jul avg record high F = 89 |
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| Aug avg record high F = 83 |
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| Sep avg record high F = 73 |
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| Oct avg record high F = 64 |
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| Nov avg record high F = 55 |
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| Dec avg record high F = 51 |
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| year avg record high F = 91 |
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| Jan high F = 10.7 |
| Jan high F = 10.7 |
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| Feb high F = 16.2 |
| Feb high F = 16.2 |
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| Dec low F = 0.7 |
| Dec low F = 0.7 |
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| year low F = |
| year low F = |
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| Jan avg record low F = -59 |
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| Feb avg record low F = -56 |
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| Mar avg record low F = -41 |
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| Apr avg record low F = -30 |
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| May avg record low F = -4 |
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| Jun avg record low F = 23 |
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| Jul avg record low F = 26 |
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| Aug avg record low F = 21 |
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| Sep avg record low F = 6 |
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| Oct avg record low F = -19 |
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| Nov avg record low F = -44 |
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| Dec avg record low F = -55 |
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| year avg record low F = -65 |
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| Jan record low F = −80 |
| Jan record low F = −80 |
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| Feb record low F = −75 |
| Feb record low F = −75 |
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| Aug record low F = -6 |
| Aug record low F = -6 |
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| Sep record low F = −13 |
| Sep record low F = −13 |
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| Oct record low F = |
| Oct record low F = −49 |
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| Nov record low F = −62 |
| Nov record low F = −62 |
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| Dec record low F = −72 |
| Dec record low F = −72 |
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| Nov precipitation inch = 3.50 |
| Nov precipitation inch = 3.50 |
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| Dec precipitation inch = 3.14 |
| Dec precipitation inch = 3.14 |
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| year precipitation inch = |
| year precipitation inch = |
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| Jan snow inch = 29.65 |
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| source 1 = NOAA Climate at A Glance<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/cag/statewide/time-series/50/tmax/1/1/1895-2022?base_prd=true&begbaseyear=1991&endbaseyear=2020 |title=Climate At A Glance |access-date=2022-09-05}}</ref> |
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| Feb snow inch = 44.9 |
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| source 2 = http://wrcc.dri.edu/summary/Climsmak.html |
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| Mar snow inch = 31.9 |
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| Apr snow inch = 27.85 |
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| May snow inch = 11.55 |
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| Jun snow inch = 0.8 |
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| Jul snow inch = 0.25 |
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| Aug snow inch = 0.75 |
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| Sep snow inch = 4.35 |
|||
| Oct snow inch = 32.6 |
|||
| Nov snow inch = 39.8 |
|||
| Dec snow inch = 45.6 |
|||
| year snow inch = |
|||
| Jan precipitation days = 10 |
|||
| Feb precipitation days = 9.5 |
|||
| Mar precipitation days = 10 |
|||
| Apr precipitation days = 9 |
|||
| May precipitation days = 8.5 |
|||
| Jun precipitation days = 6.5 |
|||
| Jul precipitation days = 5.5 |
|||
| Aug precipitation days = 7 |
|||
| Sep precipitation days = 8.5 |
|||
| Oct precipitation days = 10 |
|||
| Nov precipitation days = 10 |
|||
| Dec precipitation days = 11 |
|||
| year precipitation days = |
|||
| Jan snow days = 9.35 |
|||
| Feb snow days = 7.55 |
|||
| Mar snow days = 8.1 |
|||
| Apr snow days = 5.05 |
|||
| May snow days = 3.2 |
|||
| Jun snow days = 0.85 |
|||
| Jul snow days = 0.3 |
|||
| Aug snow days = 1.15 |
|||
| Sep snow days = 4.45 |
|||
| Oct snow days = 7.75 |
|||
| Nov snow days = 5.3 |
|||
| Dec snow days = 8.85 |
|||
| Jan sun = 144 |
|||
| Feb sun = 132 |
|||
| Mar sun = 168 |
|||
| Apr sun = 120 |
|||
| May sun = 132 |
|||
| Jun sun = 120 |
|||
| Jul sun = 132 |
|||
| Aug sun = 144 |
|||
| Sep sun = 120 |
|||
| Oct sun = 120 |
|||
| Nov sun = 108 |
|||
| Dec sun = 120 |
|||
| Jan humidity = 77 |
|||
| Feb humidity = 76 |
|||
| Mar humidity = 73 |
|||
| Apr humidity = 71 |
|||
| May humidity = 69 |
|||
| Jun humidity = 74 |
|||
| Jul humidity = 81 |
|||
| Aug humidity = 82 |
|||
| Sep humidity = 82 |
|||
| Oct humidity = 81 |
|||
| Nov humidity = 79 |
|||
| Dec humidity = 78 |
|||
| source 1 = http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0930150.html |
|||
| source 2 = http://wrcc.dri.edu/summary/Climsmak.html https://www.currentresults.com/Weather/Alaska/average-alaska-weather.php |
|||
| date = |
| date = |
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| source = |
| source = |
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| Line 357: | Line 326: | ||
==Precipitation== |
==Precipitation== |
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Juneau averages over {{convert|50|in|mm|-1}} of precipitation a year, while some other areas in southeast [[Alaska]] receive as much as {{convert|275|in|mm|-1}}. Average monthly precipitation generally peaks in September or October, and is lowest in May and June. Owing to the [[rain shadow]] of the coastal mountains, south-central Alaska does not get nearly as much rain as the southeast of Alaska, though it does get more snow with up to {{convert|300|in|m|2}} at [[Valdez, Alaska|Valdez]] and much more in the mountains. On average, Anchorage receives {{convert|16|in|mm|-1}} of precipitation a year, with around {{convert|75|in|m|2}} of snow. The northern coast of the [[Gulf of Alaska]] receives up to {{convert|150|in|mm|1}} of precipitation annually.<ref name="WRcli">Western Regional Climate Center. [http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/narratives/ALASKA.htm Climate of Alaska.] Retrieved on 2008-03-19.</ref> Across the western sections of the state, the northern side of the Seward Peninsula is a desert with less than {{convert|10|in|mm|-1}} of precipitation annually, while some locations between [[Dillingham, Alaska|Dillingham]] and [[Bethel, Alaska|Bethel]] average around {{convert|100|in|mm|-1}} of precipitation.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Shulski, Martha |author2=Wendler, Gerd |title=The Climate of Alaska|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aUDWK8zDr50C |year=2007 |publisher=University of Alaska Press| |
Juneau averages over {{convert|50|in|mm|-1}} of precipitation a year, while some other areas in southeast [[Alaska]] receive as much as {{convert|275|in|mm|-1}}. Average monthly precipitation generally peaks in September or October, and is lowest in May and June. Owing to the [[rain shadow]] of the coastal mountains, south-central Alaska does not get nearly as much rain as the southeast of Alaska, though it does get more snow with up to {{convert|300|in|m|2}} at [[Valdez, Alaska|Valdez]] and much more in the mountains. On average, Anchorage receives {{convert|16|in|mm|-1}} of precipitation a year, with around {{convert|75|in|m|2}} of snow. The northern coast of the [[Gulf of Alaska]] receives up to {{convert|150|in|mm|1}} of precipitation annually.<ref name="WRcli">Western Regional Climate Center. [http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/narratives/ALASKA.htm Climate of Alaska.] Retrieved on 2008-03-19.</ref> Across the western sections of the state, the northern side of the Seward Peninsula is a desert with less than {{convert|10|in|mm|-1}} of precipitation annually, while some locations between [[Dillingham, Alaska|Dillingham]] and [[Bethel, Alaska|Bethel]] average around {{convert|100|in|mm|-1}} of precipitation.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Shulski, Martha |author2=Wendler, Gerd |title=The Climate of Alaska|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aUDWK8zDr50C |year=2007 |publisher=University of Alaska Press|pages=55–76|isbn=978-1-60223-007-1}}</ref> |
||
Inland, often less than {{convert|10|in|mm|0}} falls a year and on the [[Alaska North Slope|North Slope]] as little as {{convert|4|in|mm|-1}} of rainfall equivalent and {{convert|30|in|m|2}} of snow is typical, but what snow falls during the winter tends to stay throughout the season.<ref name="AK-YK Precip" /> Thunderstorms are fairly rare in most of Alaska, but do occur in the interior in the summer with some frequency and may cause wildfires. Anchorage gets a thunderstorm every few years. There has even been the rare thunderstorm in Utqiaġvik on the Arctic coast.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.john-daly.com/thunder/index.htm|title=A Clap of Thunder|website=www.john-daly.com}}</ref> While weak tornadoes and waterspouts, while extremely rare, do sometimes occur, Alaska is considered the least tornado-prone state in the United States. |
Inland, often less than {{convert|10|in|mm|0}} falls a year and on the [[Alaska North Slope|North Slope]] as little as {{convert|4|in|mm|-1}} of rainfall equivalent and {{convert|30|in|m|2}} of snow is typical, but what snow falls during the winter tends to stay throughout the season.<ref name="AK-YK Precip" /> Thunderstorms are fairly rare in most of Alaska, but do occur in the interior in the summer with some frequency and may cause wildfires. Anchorage gets a thunderstorm every few years. There has even been the rare thunderstorm in Utqiaġvik on the Arctic coast.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.john-daly.com/thunder/index.htm|title=A Clap of Thunder|website=www.john-daly.com}}</ref> While weak tornadoes and waterspouts, while extremely rare, do sometimes occur, Alaska is considered the least tornado-prone state in the United States. |
||
Latest revision as of 02:10, 23 August 2024
The climate of Alaska is determined by average temperatures and precipitation received statewide over many years. The extratropical storm track runs along the Aleutian Island chain, across the Alaska Peninsula, and along the coastal area of the Gulf of Alaska which exposes these parts of the state to a large majority of the storms crossing the North Pacific. The climate in Juneau and the southeast panhandle is a mid-latitude oceanic climate (similar to Scotland, or Haida Gwaii), (Köppen Cfb) in the southern sections and a subarctic oceanic climate (Köppen Cfc) in the northern parts. The climate in Southcentral Alaska is a subarctic climate (Köppen Dfc) due to its short, cool summers. The climate of the interior of Alaska is best described as extreme and is the best example of a true subarctic climate, as the highest and lowest recorded temperatures in Alaska have both occurred in the interior. The climate in the extreme north of Alaska is an Arctic climate (Köppen ET) with long, cold winters, and cool summers where snow is possible year-round.
Temperature
[edit]Southeast
[edit]
The climate in Juneau and the Southeast panhandle is a mid-latitude oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification Cfb) in the southern sections and an oceanic, marine subpolar climate (similar to Scotland, or Haida Gwaii), (Köppen Cfc) in the northern parts. Much of the southern parts are temperate rainforest. On an annual basis, southern portions are both the wettest and warmest part of Alaska, with milder temperatures in the winter and high precipitation throughout the year. Average monthly precipitation is generally highest in the autumn months, especially October, and lowest in May or June. This is also the only region in Alaska in which the average daytime high temperature is above freezing during the winter months, except for in the southern parts of the Aleutian Islands such as Unalaska.
South
[edit]The climate in south central Alaska, with Anchorage as a typical city, is mild by Alaskan standards. This is due in large part to its proximity to the coast. While it does not get nearly as much rain as the southeast of Alaska, it does get more snow, although days tend to be clearer there. It is a subarctic climate (Köppen Dfc) due to its short, cool summers. There are frequent, strong southeast winds known as the Knik wind in the vicinity of Palmer, especially in the winter months.[1]
West
[edit]The climate of Western Alaska is determined largely by the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska. It is a subarctic oceanic climate in the southwest and a continental subarctic climate farther north. The temperature is somewhat moderate considering how far north the area is. This area has a tremendous amount of variety, especially when considering precipitation. The northern side of the Seward Peninsula is technically a desert with less than 10 inches (254 mm) of precipitation annually, while some locations between Dillingham and Bethel average around 100 inches (2,540 mm) of precipitation.[2]
East
[edit]The climate of the east of Alaska is best described as extreme and is an excellent example of a true continental subarctic climate. Some of the hottest and coldest temperatures in Alaska occur around the area near Fairbanks. The summers can have temperatures reaching into the 90s °F (near 34 °C), while in the winter, the temperature can fall below −50 °F (−45.6 °C), and in rare cases, below −60 °F (−51.1 °C). Precipitation is generally sparse around the year, peaking during the summer months, and virtually all precipitation between October and April falls as snow. Ice fog is a significant hazard during especially cold periods between November and March.[3]
North
[edit]The climate in the extreme north of Alaska is what would be expected for an area north of the Arctic Circle. It is an Arctic climate (Köppen EF) with long, very cold winters and short, cool summers. The sun does not rise at all during some weeks in the winter, and is out for 24 hours during some weeks in the summer. However, despite 24 hours of sunshine in the summertime, the average low temperature is barely above freezing in Utqiaġvik in July, at 36 °F (2.2 °C) and snow may fall any month of the year.[4] North Alaska is the coldest region in Alaska.[3]
Temperature comparison
[edit]
  Anchorage Utqiaġvik Fairbanks Fort Yukon Juneau Sitka Craig Kodiak Kotzebue Nome Unalaska St. Paul |
| City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | 23 / 11 (−5 / −12) |
28 / 16 (−2 / −9) |
34 / 18 (1 / −8) |
46 / 30 (8 / −1) |
57 / 40 (14 / 4) |
64 / 48 (18 / 9) |
66 / 53 (19 / 12) |
64 / 51 (18 / 11) |
56 / 43 (13 / 6) |
42 / 31 (6 / −1) |
29 / 18 (−2 / −8) |
25 / 14 (−4 / −10) |
| Utqiaġvik | −4 / −18 (−20 / −28) |
−4 / −18 (−20 / −28) |
−3 / −17 (−19 / −27) |
12 / −2 (−11 / −19) |
28 / 18 (−2 / −8) |
43 / 31 (6 / −1) |
49 / 36 (9 / 2) |
46 / 35 (8 / 2) |
38 / 30 (3 / −1) |
27 / 17 (−3 / −8) |
13 / 0 (−11 / −18) |
1 / −12 (−17 / −24) |
| Fairbanks | 1 / −17 (−17 / −27) |
12 / −11 (−11 / −24) |
25 / −3 (−4 / −19) |
46 / 22 (8 / −6) |
62 / 39 (17 / 4) |
72 / 50 (22 / 10) |
73 / 53 (23 / 12) |
66 / 48 (19 / 9) |
55 / 36 (13 / 2) |
34 / 18 (1 / −8) |
12 / −4 (−11 / −20) |
4 / −13 (−16 / −25) |
| Fort Yukon |
−8 / −22 |
2 / −18 (−17 / −28) |
16 / −8 (−9 / −22) |
39 / 17 (4 / −8) |
60 / 38 (16 / 3) |
72 / 51 (22 / 11) |
74 / 53 (23 / 12) |
66 / 46 (19 / 8) |
52 / 34 (11 / 1) |
30 / 17 (−1 / −8) |
3 / −10 (−16 / −23) |
−4 / −18 (−20 / −28) |
| Juneau (downtown) | 34 / 27 (1 / −3) |
37 / 28 (3 / −2) |
40 / 30 (4 / −1) |
49 / 36 (9 / 2) |
57 / 43 (14 / 6) |
62 / 49 (17 / 9) |
64 / 52 (18 / 11) |
63 / 51 (17 / 11) |
57 / 46 (14 / 8) |
49 / 39 (9 / 4) |
40 / 32 (4 / 0) |
36 / 29 (2 / −2) |
| Sitka | 41 / 32 (5 / 0) |
41 / 32 (5 / 0) |
42 / 33 (6 / 1) |
48 / 37 (9 / 3) |
54 / 43 (12 / 6) |
58 / 48 (14 / 9) |
60 / 53 (16 / 12) |
62 / 53 (17 / 12) |
58 / 49 (14 / 9) |
51 / 42 (11 / 6) |
44 / 36 (7 / 2) |
42 / 33 (6 / 1) |
| Craig | 39 / 33 (4 / 1) |
40 / 32 (4 / 0) |
42 / 33 (6 / 1) |
47 / 37 (8 / 3) |
53 / 43 (12 / 6) |
57 / 48 (14 / 9) |
59 / 52 (15 / 11) |
61 / 53 (16 / 12) |
57 / 48 (14 / 9) |
50 / 42 (10 / 6) |
43 / 36 (6 / 2) |
40 / 34 (4 / 1) |
| Kodiak | 36 / 26 (2 / −3) |
38 / 27 (3 / −3) |
39 / 28 (4 / −2) |
45 / 34 (7 / 1) |
52 / 40 (11 / 4) |
57 / 46 (14 / 8) |
62 / 50 (17 / 10) |
63 / 50 (17 / 10) |
57 / 44 (14 / 7) |
48 / 36 (9 / 2) |
40 / 30 (4 / −1) |
37 / 27 (3 / −3) |
| Kotzebue |
6 / −7 |
10 / −5 (−12 / −21) |
10 / −5 (−12 / −21) |
25 / 10 (−4 / −12) |
40 / 29 (4 / −2) |
55 / 43 (13 / 6) |
61 / 52 (16 / 11) |
58 / 49 (14 / 9) |
49 / 40 (9 / 4) |
32 / 24 (0 / −4) |
17 / 7 (−8 / −14) |
10 / −3 (−12 / −19) |
| Nome | 13 / −2 (−11 / −19) |
17 / 1 (−8 / −17) |
18 / 2 (−8 / −17) |
29 / 16 (−2 / −9) |
44 / 31 (7 / −1) |
55 / 42 (13 / 6) |
58 / 46 (14 / 8) |
56 / 44 (13 / 7) |
49 / 37 (9 / 3) |
36 / 25 (2 / −4) |
24 / 12 (−4 / −11) |
16 / 2 (−9 / −17) |
| Unalaska | 37 / 29 (3 / −2) |
38 / 30 (3 / −1) |
39 / 30 (4 / −1) |
41 / 33 (5 / 1) |
46 / 38 (8 / 3) |
52 / 43 (11 / 6) |
57 / 47 (14 / 8) |
59 / 49 (15 / 9) |
54 / 45 (12 / 7) |
48 / 39 (9 / 4) |
43 / 34 (6 / 1) |
39 / 31 (4 / −1) |
| St. Paul | 29 / 21 (−2 / −6) |
29 / 21 (−2 / −6) |
29 / 20 (−2 / −7) |
34 / 26 (1 / −3) |
40 / 32 (4 / 0) |
47 / 38 (8 / 3) |
51 / 44 (11 / 7) |
53 / 46 (12 / 8) |
50 / 41 (10 / 5) |
43 / 35 (6 / 2) |
37 / 30 (3 / −1) |
33 / 24 (1 / −4) |
Data
[edit]The highest and lowest recorded temperatures in Alaska are both in the Interior. The highest is 100 °F (37.8 °C) in Fort Yukon on June 27, 1915.[5][6][7][8] The lowest Alaska temperature is −80 °F (−62.2 °C) in Prospect Creek on January 23, 1971,[5][6] 1 °F (0.6 °C) above the lowest temperature recorded in continental North America (in Snag, Yukon, Canada).[9] Alaska also holds the extreme US record low temperatures for every month except September, where Big Piney, Wyoming recorded -15 °F (-26.1 °C) on September 20, 1983, while the coldest temperature recorded in Alaska in September was -13 °F (25 °C) in Arctic Village on September 30, 1970.
| Climate data for Alaska (averages based on the years of 1991-2020) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 67 (19) |
66 (19) |
71 (22) |
82 (28) |
93 (34) |
100 (38) |
99 (37) |
99 (37) |
90 (32) |
76 (24) |
67 (19) |
67 (19) |
100 (38) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 10.7 (−11.8) |
16.2 (−8.8) |
21.2 (−6.0) |
35 (2) |
49 (9) |
59.9 (15.5) |
62.3 (16.8) |
58 (14) |
48.3 (9.1) |
33.3 (0.7) |
19.2 (−7.1) |
13.3 (−10.4) |
35.5 (1.9) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 4.2 (−15.4) |
8.7 (−12.9) |
12.3 (−10.9) |
26.2 (−3.2) |
40.1 (4.5) |
50.9 (10.5) |
54.1 (12.3) |
50.4 (10.2) |
41.4 (5.2) |
27.3 (−2.6) |
13.3 (−10.4) |
7 (−14) |
28.0 (−2.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | −2.4 (−19.1) |
1.2 (−17.1) |
3.5 (−15.8) |
17.4 (−8.1) |
31.2 (−0.4) |
41.9 (5.5) |
45.9 (7.7) |
42.8 (6.0) |
34.5 (1.4) |
21.2 (−6.0) |
7.3 (−13.7) |
0.7 (−17.4) |
20.4 (−6.4) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −80 (−62) |
−75 (−59) |
−68 (−56) |
−50 (−46) |
−25 (−32) |
−11 (−24) |
8 (−13) |
−6 (−21) |
−13 (−25) |
−49 (−45) |
−62 (−52) |
−72 (−58) |
−80 (−62) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 2.82 (72) |
2.39 (61) |
2.11 (54) |
1.90 (48) |
2.12 (54) |
2.42 (61) |
3.48 (88) |
4.57 (116) |
4.96 (126) |
4.23 (107) |
3.50 (89) |
3.14 (80) |
37.64 (956) |
| Source 1: NOAA Climate at A Glance[10] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: http://wrcc.dri.edu/summary/Climsmak.html | |||||||||||||
Precipitation
[edit]Juneau averages over 50 inches (1,270 mm) of precipitation a year, while some other areas in southeast Alaska receive as much as 275 inches (6,980 mm). Average monthly precipitation generally peaks in September or October, and is lowest in May and June. Owing to the rain shadow of the coastal mountains, south-central Alaska does not get nearly as much rain as the southeast of Alaska, though it does get more snow with up to 300 inches (7.62 m) at Valdez and much more in the mountains. On average, Anchorage receives 16 inches (410 mm) of precipitation a year, with around 75 inches (1.91 m) of snow. The northern coast of the Gulf of Alaska receives up to 150 inches (3,810.0 mm) of precipitation annually.[11] Across the western sections of the state, the northern side of the Seward Peninsula is a desert with less than 10 inches (250 mm) of precipitation annually, while some locations between Dillingham and Bethel average around 100 inches (2,540 mm) of precipitation.[12]
Inland, often less than 10 inches (254 mm) falls a year and on the North Slope as little as 4 inches (100 mm) of rainfall equivalent and 30 inches (0.76 m) of snow is typical, but what snow falls during the winter tends to stay throughout the season.[2] Thunderstorms are fairly rare in most of Alaska, but do occur in the interior in the summer with some frequency and may cause wildfires. Anchorage gets a thunderstorm every few years. There has even been the rare thunderstorm in Utqiaġvik on the Arctic coast.[13] While weak tornadoes and waterspouts, while extremely rare, do sometimes occur, Alaska is considered the least tornado-prone state in the United States.
La Niña events lead to drier and cooler than normal conditions, while El Niño events leads to warmer than normal temperatures but do not have a correlation towards dry or wet conditions. Precipitation increases by 10–40% when the Pacific decadal oscillation is positive.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ Null, Jan. "Wind Names". Golden Gate Weather Services. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ a b Mean Annual Precipitation in Alaska-Yukon Archived 2007-06-19 at the Wayback Machine. Oregon Climate Service at Oregon State University. Retrieved on 2006-10-23.
- ^ a b Shulski, Martha; Wendler, Gerd (2007). The Climate of Alaska. University of Alaska Press. pp. 38–53. ISBN 978-1-60223-007-1.
- ^ History for Barrow, Alaska. Monthly Summary for July 2006. Weather Underground. Last accessed 23 October 2006.
- ^ a b "NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards Information - Alaska Weather Interesting Facts and Records" (PDF). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-09-29. Retrieved 2007-01-03.
- ^ a b "State Extremes". Western Regional Climate Center, Desert Research Institute. Retrieved 2007-01-03.
- ^ "SD Weather History and Trivia for May: May 1". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-01-03.
- ^ "FAQ ALASKA - Frequently Asked Questions About Alaska: Weather". Statewide Library Electronic Doorway, University of Alaska Fairbanks. 2005-01-17. Archived from the original on 2007-01-02. Retrieved 2007-01-03.
- ^ Ned Rozell (2003-01-23). "The Coldest Place in North America". Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Archived from the original on 2007-02-02. Retrieved 2007-01-03.
- ^ "Climate At A Glance". Retrieved 2022-09-05.
- ^ Western Regional Climate Center. Climate of Alaska. Retrieved on 2008-03-19.
- ^ Shulski, Martha; Wendler, Gerd (2007). The Climate of Alaska. University of Alaska Press. pp. 55–76. ISBN 978-1-60223-007-1.
- ^ "A Clap of Thunder". www.john-daly.com.
- ^ John Papineau, Ph.D. Understanding Alaska's Climate Variation. Archived 2008-05-11 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-03-19.
