Friday, April 30th

Good morning! Wow! I cannot believe that it's been since Tuesday that I made a post. The week has flown by! Our weather has turned out to be a rather damp week. We have had on and off rain showers. The temperatures have been in the upper 50's to low 60's. Occassionally, the sun will peek out and warm things up for a moment.

The weekend does appear that it will be rather wet. With highs in the low 50's, we are expecting more rain. It doesnot look as if we will see the sun again until next Wednesday.

Current Conditions at 6:30 a.m.:

Skies: Cloudy with Scattered Showers
Temperature: 37
BP: 29.72 and steady
Sunrise: 5:21 a.m.
Sunset: 10:18 p.m.

Tuesday, April 27th

Good morning! It's another wonderful spring morning here in North Pole! Temperatures are in the upper 30's and the NWS promises that highs will be in the 60's today. While skies are cloudy, there is no mention of rain.

Rain is something we literally pray for here in Alaska. Many may not know this, but the Interior of Alaska has a desert climate. It is EXTREMELY dry. Because of the lack of rain last summer, wild fires were a massive problem. Most of June and July, we were battling heavy amounts of smoke. Many days, the smoke was so dense you could not see across the street. This limited outdoor activities and caused many people with respiratory diseases to become very ill.

Rain would be very welcomed this year. The NWS does mention a chance of rain over the weekend. I hope they are correct in their forecast. It would be nice to have rain every few days to keep the threat of fires out of our forecast!

Current conditions at 7:00 a.m.:

Skies: Cloudy
Temperature: 39
BP: 29.38 and steady
Sunrise: 5:32 a.m.
Sunset: 10:08 p.m.

Spring is here!

Good Morning! While Spring officially started in March, we are definitely starting to see signs of the spring season here in the Interior. On Sunday afternoon, Mike and I headed out to Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge.

Each spring and fall, all sorts of migratory birds make a stop at Creamer's Field for a few weeks. The birds we see the most are Canadian Geese and Sandhill Cranes. The geese have been here for a couple of weeks, while the cranes are just starting to appear.

While hiking along the trails around Creamer's Field, we spotted another sign of spring. We found small buds on a few of the trees. This is certainly a welcomed sight! Further up the trail, we came upon, perhaps the most exciting sighting, a small butterfly fluttering through the woods.

At our house, we found a snowshoe hare hanging out in our yard. In the winter, snowshoe hares turn solid white so they can be camouflaged from potential predators. In the spring and summer, they turn brown. The bunny we saw is just starting the transition.

Current Conditions at 6:30 a.m.:

Skies: Partly Cloudy
Temperature: 39
BP: 29.56
Sunrise: 5:35 a.m.
Sunset: 10:04 p.m.

The snowshoe hare changes from white to brown in the summer.

Fireweed from last summer.

Fireweed is a flower that blooms from the bottom up.

In the fall, it drops its petals and forms this white "stuff."

Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge

Canadian Geese

Canadian Goose

The first butterfly of the season!

The first tree buds of the season!

It's all gone!

Good morning! I must say it is a great morning! As of yesterday, April 21st, all of the snow is gone from our yard. Just 12 days ago, we were still having several inches of snow and the snow pack was about 12 inches deep. In that short time with temperatures in the 50's and 60's, the snow has melted and hopefully will not return until next fall!

According to the NWS, this week still trends a little cooler with highs mainly in the low 50's. We have a slight chance of rain showers later in the week. However, today should be sunny and a high between 55 and 60.

Current conditions at 6:30 a.m.:

Skies: Clear
Temperature 21
RH: 80%
BP: 29.68 and rising
Sunrise: 5:50 a.m.
Sunset: 9:51 p.m.

Taken on April 8th, snow was falling and the pack

was at least 12 inches deep.

Taken April 21st, all the snow is gone!

We enjoyed a nice barbeque dinner out on our deck on Tuesday.

Mild Morning

Good morning! Monday was absolutely wonderful. With a high of 65, Mike and I pulled out the outdoor furniture, dusted it off, and had a lovely dinner out on the deck. Since it was so warm, I decided to put on shorts for the first time in almost a year. As I sat there, I began to laugh. It seemed absolutely crazy. Picutre this scene: two people sitting on their deck, wearing shorts, shading themselves from the sun, 62 degrees, and snow still on the ground! I could not believe that we were in summer clothes with snow still hanging on. However, it did make me laugh!

Back to real time. Tuesday is starting out with overcast skies and a temperature in the low 40's. We have a slight chance of rain showers this afternoon. Skies will clear later tonight. Temperatures will cool off later this week. The NWS is calling for highs between 45 and 55 over the next seven days.

Current conditions at 7:00 a.m.:

Skies: Cloudy
Temperature: 43
RH: 52%
BP: 29.58 and steady
Sunrise: 5:57 a.m.
Sunset: 9:45 p.m.

Magnificent Monday

Sunday was an awesome day here in the interior. We had a high of 62 degrees. Since the sun was out in full force, so were many Alaskans. Today will shape up like yesterday. We will have mostly sunny skies this morning with highs in the upper 50's and lower 60's. However, clouds will be on the increase. This will set the trend for the rest of the week. The NWS calls for mostly cloudy skies throughout the rest of the 7 day forecast with a chance of rain during the day and snow at night.

Since the weather was so nice yesterday, Mike and I headed out to Creamer's Field. Creamer's Field is a migratory waterfowl refuge. Each Spring and Fall, thousands of Candian Geese and Sandhill Cranes flood Creamer's Field during their migratory journey. Yesterday seemed to be extra special. While watching the birds, we notice a single bald eagle soaring above the field. Using my binoculars, I was able to watch this incredible bird soar and finally swoop down to catch its prey. What an awesome experience!

Current Conditions at 6:00 a.m.:

Skies: Clear
Temprature: 29
RH: 76%
BP: 29.59 and rising
Sunrise: 6:01 a.m.
Sunset: 9:41 p.m.

60 Degrees!!!!

Good afternoon! What an incredible day here in North Pole. I am wearing short sleeves and no coat today for the first time since last August! Life is good!

We have ample sunshine today with a high in the low 60's. While I still have some snow hanging on in our backyard, it is slowly retreating.

Current Conditions in 5:00 p.m.:

Skies: Partly Cloudy
Temperature: 61
RH: 23%
BP: 29.46 and steady
Sunrise: 6:01 p.m.
Sunset: 9:41 p.m.

TGIF!!!!

Thank God, it's Friday! Thursday was an odd weather day here in the Interior. We had everything from snow and rain to hail. At one point, I looked out the window and saw hail (all be it small) the size of bee bee's bouncing off the ground. That lasted for about 15 minutes. Temperatures hovered in the upper 30's and low 4o's. Basically, a raw and miserable day.

Today looks much better. We are starting the day with clear skies. The NWS is calling for partly cloudy skies and a high between 40 and 50. Saturday and Sunday will be even warmer with plenty of sunshine and highs in the upper 50's to low 60's!

Current Conditions at 6:30 a.m.:

Skies: Fair
Temperature: 24
RH: 79%
BP: 29.86 and falling
Sunrise: 6:12 a.m.
Sunset: 9:32 a.m.

We are gaining 6 minutes and 52 seconds of daylight each day!

Warming Trend

Good morning! Yesterday was rather uneventful in terms of weather. It was overcast with a high of 41 degrees. Certainly nothing to write home about! Overnight, we had a dusting of snow with a low of 27 degrees. However, the weekend promises (okay, the NWS promises) to be warmer and sunnier. Saturday's forecast calls for partly sunny skies with a high between 50 and 60. Sounds like heaven!

Current Conditions at 6:30 a.m.:

Skies: Overcast with Light Snow Showers in the Vicinity
Temperature: 27
RH: 88%
BP: 30.09 and rising
Sunrise: 6:15 a.m.
Sunset: 9:28 p.m.

Conditions from around the state:

Anaktuvuk Pass: Overcast and 10

Anchorage: Partly Cloody and 31

Barrow: Light Snow and 14

Bethel: Overcast and 11

Bettles: Light Snow and 13

Chicken: Overcast and 29

Cold Bay: Mostly Cloudy and 33

Deadhorse: A Few Clouds and 1

Denali National Park: Overcast and 26

Fort Yukon: No Report

Juneau: A Few Clouds and 31

King Salmon: Overcast and 25 (Blizzard Watch)

Kotzubue: Light Snow and 5

McGrath: Light Snow and 27

Nome: Overcast and 7

St. Paul's Island: Light Snow and Blowing Snow and 30 (Blizzard Warning)

Valdez: Overcast and 34

Clear Morning

Good morning! It is a beautiful morning here in North Pole. After yesterday's snow, we are happy to see clear skies. We had about two inches of snow yesterday, but it had melted by the afternoon. While we still have snow on the ground, each day it melts a little more.

Today promises to be bright sunshine and a high of around 40. However, the weekend sounds much more promising! The NWS calls for partly cloudy skies and highs between 55 and 60! Pull out the shorts and the t-shirts! Summer is just around the corner!

Current Conditions at 6:30 a.m.:
Skies: Clear
Temperature: 17
RH: 87%
BP: 29.88 and rising
Sunrise: 6:19 a.m.
Sunset: 9:25 p.m.

I am not able to post the conditions from around the state this morning. I hope to be able to do that this evening.

Good morning! It's been a few days since I've been able to make a post due to computer problems. However, I am up and running! We had a wonderful weekend here in the Interior. Although clouds were in abundance, the temperatures did warm into the mid 40's. This morning, we started the day in the upper teens.

To the west of us there are numerous Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories. Needless to say, it is headed our way. Tonight, we are expecting 2 to 3 inches of snow. Okay, it's the middle of April and I personally feel we should be seeing flowers and green trees. But, the weather has other ideas. However, by the end of the 7 day forecast, temperatures should rebound to the mid 50's. Every Alaskan will be in shorts and t-shirts on that day!

Current Conditions at 6:30 a.m.:

Skies: Partly Cloudy
Temperature: 20
RH: 85%
BP: 29.85 and falling
Sunrise: 6:26 a.m.
Sunset: 9:19 p.m.

Conditions for around the state:

Anaktuvuk Pass: Overcast and 27

Anchorage: A Few Clouds and 39

Barrow: Partly Cloudy and 4

Bethel: Overcast and 32

Bettles: Overcast and 32

Chicken: Mostly Cloudy and 21

Cold Bay: Overcast and 40

Deadhorse: Mostly Cloudy and 16

Denali National Park: Overcast and 30

Ft. Yukon: No Report

Juneau: Fair and 25

King Salmon: Overcast and 35

Kotzubue: Overcast and 26

McGrath: Overcast and 32

Nome: Overcast and 25

St. Paul Island: Partly Cloudy and 34

Valdez: Mostly Cloudy and 32

Snowy Thursday

Good morning! I awoke at 5:30 a.m. to light snow. I must say that when it's almost the middle of April, I would rather see rain than snow. It is a bit disappointing, but realize when you live this far north (only 150 miles south of the Arctic Circle), you can get snow well into May and early June. It just goes with the territory!

As I mentioned a couple of posts ago, the Aurora Borealis was out on Monday night. I missed the peak of it, but the above picture was posted in our local newspaper from Monday night's spectacular show!

Current Conditions at 6:30 a.m.:

Skies: Light Snow

Temperature: 21

RH: 82%

BP: 29.94 and rising

Sunrise: 6:41 a.m.

Sunset: 9:06 p.m.

Conditions from Around the State:

Anaktuvuk Pass: Overcast and -17

Anchorage: Overcast and 28

Barrow: Fog/Mist and -5

Bethel: Fair and -2

Bettles: A Few Clouds and -2

Chicken: Light Snow and 21

Cold Bay: A Few Clouds and 20

Denali National Park: Overcast and 12

Ft. Yukon: No report

Juneau: Overcast and 29

King Salmon: Fair and 4

Kotzubue: Fog/Mist and 0

McGrath: Light Snow and 13

Nome: Light Snow and -9

St. Paul Island: Light Snow and 17

Valdez: A Few Clouds and 21

Cloudy, Cooler and Flurries

Good afternoon! I had computer problems this morning and was unable to make a post. This one will be quick, as I am at work. Today's weather is very dreary. This morning, we awoke to 16 degrees and snow. A light dusting had fallen on our deck. There is a call for a chance of snow throughout the 7 day forecast.

Current Conditions at 2:00 p.m.:

Skies: Cloudy
Temperature: 32
BP: 29.66

Moose on the Loose

If you didn't get to see the video of the moose in our backyard, check it out on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dswxIqSite8

Snow or No Snow, That Is the Question!

Good morning! Well, let me start out by saying last night was the first time we have seen the Aurora Borealis this year! We have been in hopes of seeing it, but have been disappointed all winter. I must say it was beautiful! While it was not the blues, greens and reds I have seen before, it was five bright white strips of light that danced through the sky. Since I was viewing it at midnight, I was a little too sleepy to grab my camera and take pictures. Just take my word for it, it was awesome!

As for the weather today, the NWS is still calling for snow showers almost every day through the 7 day forecast. It is a little frustrating since we have had such beautiful weather the last several weeks. I guess we will wait and see how this one pans out.

Current Conditions at 7:00 a.m.:

Skies: Mostly Cloudy
Temperature: 28
RH: 68%
BP: 29.28 and steady
Sunrise: 6:48 a.m.
Sunset: 9:00 p.m.

I don't have time to do current conditions from around the state this morning. I will try to get to that a little later today.

Changes are on the way

Good morning! Changes are on the way for the Interior of Alaska. While we have enjoyed many 50 degree days, the warm streak is about to come to an end. The NWS predicts that temperatures will fall into the low to mid 30's for highs. To add insult to injury, they are calling for snow showers almost every day this week. Just when we thought winter was over, it rears its ugly head again.

Current conditions at 6:30 a.m.:

Skies: Clear
Temperature: 16
RH: 84%
BP: 29.36 and steady
Sunrise: 6:52 a.m.
Sunset: 8:57 p.m.

Conditions from around the state:

Anaktuvuk Pass: Fair and -11

Anchorage: A Few Clouds and 34

Barrow: Light Snow and 4

Bethel: Partly Cloudy and 1

Bettles: A Few Clouds and 8

Chicken: Fair and 13

Cold Bay: Heavy Snow/Blowing Snow/Freezing Fog and 25 (Blizzard Warning)

Denali National Park: Fair and 18

Ft. Yukon: No report

Juneau: Fog/Mist and 28

King Salmon: Overcast and 16

Kotzubue: Partly Cloudy and 8

McGrath: Mostly Cloudy and 21

Nome: Light Snow and 17

St. Paul Island: Overcast and 12

Valdez: Overcast and 36

Denali in the Spring

Easter weekend was a gorgeous one in the Interior. With highs in the upper 30's and lower 40's, Mike and I headed 117 miles south of Fairbanks to Denali National Park. In search of wildlife awakening from their long winter nap, we took our binoculars and our long lens for our SLR. While we only found one red fox, we did find some beautiful scenery. Mt. McKinley was out in full view. The heavy layer of snow, while melting, was incredible.

This red fox is beautiful!

A red fox looks a little hungry.

Mt. McKinley from a distance (over 200 miles away).

Mt. McKinley (a.k.a. Mt. Denali) is majestic.

Mt. McKinley has a few clouds at the top.

Mountains off in the distance look tiny in comparison to Mt. McKinley.

The Alaska Range looks awesome coated in snow.

While the Savage River looks frozen solid, it is a little deceiving.

Savage River looking downstream at the Alaska Range.

Some melting is occurring at Savage River.

The ice at Savage River is very thick!

Breaking Up is Easy to Do!

Welcome to April! Traditionally, April is "Break Up" month in Alaska. When I first heard this, I wasn't quite sure what to think. Maybe the long winter, the darkness and the extreme cold has taken its toll on relationships. Now that spring has sprung and love is in the air, it creates a rift between people.

Well, fortunately, "Break Up" does not refer to relationships. It actually refers to the ice on the rivers melting and breaking up. It also refers to the snow melting and being able to see grass again (although it is dead, we will be happy to see brown grass).

Break up month also has a very special significance to a small town 56 miles southwest of Fairbanks, Nenana. Nenana has a population of about 500 people and is situated on the banks of the Tanana River. After months of being frozen solid, the town places a very large tripod on the frozen river. Each spring, thousands of people buy tickets to guess exactly when the ice will break and the tripod will fall. They make guesses down to the very second. For example, someone might guess April 1 12:25:03 p.m. Whoever guesses the closest, wins the jackpot!

Well, the tripod is still standing. However, with a long stretch of 40+ degree days, I have a feeling that tripod will fall sooner than later. I will keep you posted on what is happening.

Current Conditions at 7:00 a.m.:

Skies: Clear
Temperature: 27

RH: 73%

BP: 29.38 and rising

Sunrise: 7:07 a.m.

Sunset: 8:44 p.m.