Thursday, December 30, 2010

Creamer's Field

Still enjoying the Christmas break, we took the time to get outside and enjoy the warm weather (1 degree above zero) and take a two hour walk around Creamer's Field in Fairbanks.


















Thursday, December 23, 2010

Sunset at UAF

We drove up to UAF this afternoon to watch the sunset. It was spectacular!






The Today Show

Thanks to my friend Dawn who captured this image! North Pole and the Santa Claus House made it on the Today Show this morning. From the looks of the thermometer, it's almost 40 below zero. Currently (at 11:30 a.m.), it's 41 below!


Thursday, December 23rd

Good morning! In keeping with the promise I made to myself, I am going to keep these posts short this week (barring anything fun I may need to report). I am going to enjoy my time off and have lots of fun!

Current Conditions at 8:00 a.m.:

Temperature: 39 degrees below zero
Skies: Fair
BP: 30.52
Sunrise: 10:59 a.m.
Sunset: 2:41 p.m.

7 Day Outlook from the NWS:

Today...Mainly clear. Patchy ice fog. Highs 25 to 30 below...except around 10 to 15 below on the hills. Light winds.

Tonight...Mainly clear. Lows 35 to 40 below in valleys and 15 to 20 below on the hills. Light winds.

Friday...Increasing clouds. Highs 25 to 35 below. Light winds.

Friday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows 30 to 40 below. Northeast winds to 10 mph.

Christmas Day...Mostly cloudy. Highs 25 to 30 below. Northeast winds to 10 mph.

Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 30 below.

Sunday...Partly cloudy. Highs near 20 below.

Sunday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows near 30 below.

Monday...Partly cloudy. Highs near 25 below.

Monday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows near 35 below.

Tuesday...Partly cloudy. Highs near 25 below.

Tuesday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows near 30 below.

Wednesday...Partly cloudy. Highs near 25 below.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Wednesday, December 22nd

Good mid-morning! With my two weeks off for Christmas, I enjoyed sleeping in this morning and being able to be a little lazy! Since I am feeling lazy, I am going to keep this post very short. So, here's the bottom line!

Current Conditions at 10:30 a.m.:

Temperature: 34 degrees below zero
Skies: Partly Cloudy
BP: 30.33 and rising
DP: -36.8
Sunrise: 10:59 a.m.
Sunset: 2:40 p.m.

Yipeeee!!!! We are GAINING 9 seconds of daylight today!

7 Day Outlook from the NWS:

Today...Increasing clouds. Flurries and patchy fog in the morning. Scattered snow showers in the afternoon. Highs 5 to 20 below... Coldest in valleys. Light winds.

Tonight...Decreasing clouds. Lows 25 to 40 below in valleys and 10 to 15 below in the hills. Light winds.

Thursday...Partly cloudy. Highs 20 to 35 below. Light winds.

Thursday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows 30 to 40 below. Light winds.

Friday...Mostly cloudy. Highs around 30 below. Light winds.

Friday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows near 35 below.

Christmas Day...Partly cloudy. Highs near 30 below.

Saturday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows near 35 below.

Sunday...Partly cloudy. Highs near 20 below.

Sunday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows near 30 below.

Monday...Partly cloudy. Highs near 25 below.

Monday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows near 35 below.

Tuesday...Partly cloudy. Highs near 25 below.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Happy Winter Solstice

Happy Winter Solstice! After recovering from being sick, I thought I would make a quick post. I was out doing my Christmas shopping today and thought the weather was rather delightful. It was 13 below zero and the sun was out in full force (at least as much as it could be on the shortest day of the year). What a beautiful day!

Looking at the NWS forecast, there appears to be a slight chance of flurries tomorrow. However, after Wednesday, we will turn a little colder.

Current Conditions at 7:30 p.m.:

Temperature: 30 degrees below zero
Skies: Fair
BP: 30.04 and rising
Sunrise: 10:59 a.m.
Sunset: 2:40 p.m.

7 Day Outlook from the NWS:

Tonight...Partly cloudy. Lows 20 to 30 below in valleys and 10 to 20 below in the hills. Light winds.

Wednesday...Mostly cloudy with flurries. Highs 5 to 20 below...coldest in valleys. Light winds.

Wednesday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows 20 to 30 below in valleys and 10 to 15 below in the hills. Light winds.

Thursday...Mostly cloudy. Highs 20 to 30 below. Light winds.

Thursday Night...Decreasing clouds. Lows 25 to 40 below. Light winds.

Friday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 25 below.

Friday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows near 30 below.

Christmas Day...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 20 below.

Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 25 below.

Sunday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 20 below.

Sunday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows near 30 below.

Monday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 25 below.

Monday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 30 below.

Tuesday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 25 below.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Friday, December 17th

Good Friday morning! We made it to the beginning of the weekend!!!! It's been a very cold week here in North Pole. This morning we are starting off at 41 below zero. Yesterday's high was 38 below zero. However, it appears that there could be a slight warming trend this weekend and into next week. By Sunday and into early next week, we could see highs from 5 below to 15 below. Believe it or not, this will feel warm!

Current Conditions at 6:30 a.m.:

Temperature: 41 degrees below zero
BP: 30.45 and steady
RH: 67%
Sunrise: 10:55 a.m.
Sunset: 2:39 p.m.

7 Day Outlook from the NWS:

Today...Mostly clear. Patchy ice fog. Highs 25 to 35 below ...except 5 below to 15 below on the hills. Light winds.

Tonight...Mostly clear. Patchy ice fog. Lows 30 to 45 below. Light winds.

Saturday...Partly cloudy. Highs 20 to 35 below. Light winds.

Saturday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows 30 to 40 below. Light winds.

Sunday...Partly cloudy. Increasing clouds in the afternoon. Highs 15 to 20 below. Light winds.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 25 below.

Monday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 5 below.

Monday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 20 below.

Tuesday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 5 below.

Tuesday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 25 below.

Wednesday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 10 below.

Wednesday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 25 below.

Thursday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 15 below

Thursday, December 16, 2010


Good morning! The Climate Prediction Center came out with it's monthly outlook on temperatures this morning. As you can see from the map, above, we are in the below average range for temperatures for January, February and March.

Also, as I was reading the NWS forecast discussion, I found the following which aligns with the CPC:

THROUGH THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF DECEMBER THE AVERAGE TEMPERATURE AT FAIRBANKS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WAS -15.9 DEGREES.THIS IS 9.7 DEGREES BELOW THE 30-YEAR AVERAGE AND IS THE COLDEST START TO THE MONTH OF DECEMBER SINCE 2001.

Yesterday, we had a high of 41.1 below zero. Our low, yesterday, was 43.8 below zero. So, we warmed up a whopping 2.7 degrees! Amazing!!!!

For those of you who do not live in Alaska, you should really consider visiting during the winter months. There are so many things you can experience. For example, have your nose hairs ever frozen? Have your lungs ever hurt to breathe in the cold air? Have you ever tried to push a shopping cart across an ice and snow covered parking lot while walking like a penguin? Have you ever driven on "square" tires? If the answer is "no" to most of these questions, then go to the Alaska Airlines website and book yourself a ticket to Fairbanks! These are memories that will last with you for a lifetime!

Current Conditions at 6:30 a.m.:

Temperature: 41 degrees below zero
Low: 44 degrees below zero
Skies: Clear
BP: 30.49 and steady
Sunrise: 10:54 a.m.
Sunset: 2:49 p.m.

7 Day Outlook from the NWS:

Today...Clear. Areas of ice fog with local visibilities near zero at times in the morning in urban valleys. Highs 30 to 40 below ...except around 10 below on hilltops. Light winds in valleys and northeast winds around 10 mph on the hills.

Tonight...Clear. Areas of ice fog. Lows 40 to 50 below zero...except around 15 below on hilltops. Light winds.

Friday...Clear. Patchy ice fog. Highs 30 to 40 below zero...except around 10 below on the hills. Light winds.

Friday Night...Clear. Patchy ice fog. Lows 35 to 45 below...except around 15 below on the hills. Light winds.

Saturday...Partly cloudy. Highs 20 to 35 below. Light winds.

Saturday Night...Clear. Lows near 40 below.

Sunday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 15 below.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 25 below.

Monday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 10 below.

Monday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows near 25 below.

Tuesday...Partly cloudy. Highs near 15 below.

Tuesday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 25 below.

Wednesday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow. Highs near 15 below.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Wednesday, December 15th


Good frigid morning! The temperature is hanging out in the low 40 below zero range. As you may or may not know, this is only our second winter here in North Pole. Last year, we did not see a 40 below or colder temperature. So, this is very exciting to us! I know that may seem a bit weird to you, as it does to everyone else we know!
The rest of this week will remain much below normal. Our average for this time of year is 4 above zero for the high and 15 below zero for the low. We should see some slight moderating this weekend when temperatures will reach 20 to 25 below zero fro the highs. Bundle up and stay warm!

Current Conditions at 6:30 a.m.:

Temperature: 43.2 degrees below zero
Skies: Clear
BP: 30.30 and steady
Sunrise: 10:52 a.m.
Sunset: 2:40 p.m.
7 Day Outlook from the NWS:

Today...Clear. Patchy ice fog. Highs 30 to 35 below in valleys and around 10 below on the hills. Light winds...except east winds 10 to 15 mph on the hilltops.

Tonight...Mostly clear. Patchy ice fog. Lows 40 to 50 below in valleys and 15 to 25 below on the hills. Light winds.

Thursday...Clear. Patchy ice fog. Highs 30 to 40 below in valleys and around 15 below on the hills. Light winds.

Thursday Night...Mostly clear. Patchy ice fog. Lows 40 to 50 below...except around 20 below on the hills. Light winds.

Friday...Mostly clear. Highs 30 to 40 below. Light winds.

Friday Night...Mostly clear. Lows near 45 below.

Saturday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 20 below.

Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 25 below.

Sunday...Partly cloudy. Highs near 15 below.

Sunday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows near 20 below.

Monday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 15 below.

Monday Night...Cloudy. Lows near 25 below.

Tuesday...Cloudy. Highs near 20 below.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Tuesday, December 14th

Good morning! Yesterday, we had some light snow that totaled up to 2.1 inches. This morning we are still having a few light flurries, however, we should see clearing skies and dropping temperatures. Temperatures should drop to between 20 and 25 below. The rest of the week looks like the coldest air of the season. Low could fall between 40 and 50 below zero here in the Fairbanks area!

Current Conditions at 5:30 a.m.:

Temperature: 17 degrees below zero
Skies: Overcast with flurries
BP: 29.77 and rising
DP: -19.7
Sunrise: 10:51 a.m.
Sunset: 2:40 p.m.

7 Day Outlook from the NWS:

Today...Mostly cloudy with flurries and patchy fog in the morning...then partly cloudy in the afternoon. Temperatures falling to 20 to 25 below. Light winds.

Tonight...Partly cloudy. Lows 30 to 40 below in the valley to 20 below in the hills. Light winds.

Wednesday...Clear. Highs 25 below to 35 below in the valley to 15 below in the hills. Light winds.

Wednesday Night...Clear. Lows 40 to 45 below. Light winds.

Thursday...Mostly clear. Highs 30 to 35 below. Northeast winds around 10 mph.

Thursday Night...Clear. Lows 40 to 45 below.

Friday...Mostly clear. Highs near 25 below.

Friday Night...Mostly clear. Lows near 35 below.

Saturday...Partly cloudy. Highs near 20 below.

Saturday Night...Mostly clear. Lows near 30 below.

Sunday...Mostly clear. Highs near 15 below.

Sunday Night...Mostly clear. Lows near 20 below.

Monday...Mostly clear. Highs near 15 below.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Monday, December 13th

Good morning! Yesterday, Mike and I braved the 35 below zero temperatures to go to "Christmas in Ice" in North Pole. While we only lasted for about an hour, it was worth the frozen toes! Our high yesterday, was 34 below zero. However, it has warmed up over night. Currently, we are sitting at 15 below zero with light snow. From the looks of the radar, we could see snow most of the day. We always welcome snow!

The rest of the week looks to be some of the coldest of the season. The NWS is calling for lows between 35 and 45 below. Our coldest low, at our house, has been 37 below. So, we will see if we can break that 40 below mark!

Current Conditions at 6:30 a.m.:

Temperature: 15 below zero
Skies: Light Snow
BP: 29.69 and falling
DP: -18.9
Sunrise: 10:49 a.m.
Sunset: 2:41 p.m.

7 Day Outlook from the NWS:

Today...Snow...with accumulation around 1 inch. Highs around 10 below. Light winds.

Tonight...Snow showers. Snow accumulation less than 1 inch. Lows 20 below to 25 below zero. Light winds.

Tuesday...Mostly cloudy. Flurries in the morning. Highs 15 to 25 below. Light winds.

Tuesday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows 30 below to 40 below zero. North winds to 10 mph.

Wednesday...Clear. Highs 30 below to 35 below zero. Light winds.

Wednesday Night...Clear. Lows 35 to 45 below.

Thursday...Partly cloudy. Highs near 25 below.

Thursday Night...Mostly clear. Lows near 30 below.

Friday...Mostly clear. Highs near 25 below.

Friday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 30 below.

Saturday...Partly cloudy. Highs near 15 below.

Saturday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows near 20 below.

Sunday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 15 below.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Friday, December 10th

Good morning! It has warmed a bit over the last 24 hours. We are now at 15 degrees below zero. A few clouds have rolled in with a little light snow spotting the area. However, there will be no significant accumulation. Oh, how I wish we would have this big snowstorm that would dump a foot or two on us. However, it doesn't seem possible. Oh, well, I can wish!

Current Conditions at 6:30 a.m.:

Temperature: 15 degrees below zero
Skies: Cloudy
BP: 30.00 and steady
DP: -18.3
Sunrise: 10:43 a.m.
Sunset: 2:44 p.m.

7 Day Outlook from the NWS:

Today...Cloudy with flurries. Temperatures 5 below to 15 below. Light winds.

Tonight...Mostly cloudy with flurries. Temperatures 5 below to 15 below. Northeast winds 5 to 15 mph over the hilltops... Otherwise light winds.

Saturday...Mostly cloudy. Temperatures 5 below to 15 below. Northeast winds 5 to 15 mph over the hilltops...otherwise light winds.

Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy. Temperatures 5 below to 15 below. Light winds.

Sunday...Mostly cloudy. Temperatures 5 below to 15 below. Light winds.

Sunday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows near 35 below.

Monday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 10 below.

Monday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 20 below.

Tuesday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 5 below.

Tuesday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows near 20 below.

Wednesday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 15 below.

Wednesday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 25 below.

Thursday...Partly cloudy. Highs near 10 below.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Thursday, December 9th


Current Conditions at 6:30 a.m.:

Temperature: 36 degrees below zero
Skies: Partly Cloudy
BP: 30.02 and rising
DP: -38.1
Sunrise: 10:41 a.m.
Sunset: 2:46 p.m.

7 Day Outlook from the NWS:

Today...Clouds and flurries southeast of Eielson...elsewhere clear this morning. Clouds and flurries spreading westward over the entire area in the afternoon. Highs zero to 20 below...warmest over the hills. Northeast winds 5 to 15 mph over the hilltops...otherwise light winds.
Tonight...Mostly cloudy with flurries. Temperatures zero to 15 below. Northeast winds 5 to 15 mph over the hilltops... Otherwise light winds.
Friday...Mostly cloudy with flurries. Temperatures zero to 15 below. Northeast winds 5 to 15 mph over the hilltops... Otherwise light winds.
Friday Night...Mostly cloudy. Temperatures zero to 15 below. Northeast winds 5 to 15 mph over the hilltops...otherwise light winds.
Saturday...Mostly cloudy with scattered snow showers. Highs 5 above to 15 below...warmest over the hills. Light winds.
Saturday Night...Cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows near 20 below.
Sunday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 10 below.
Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 30 below.
Monday...Partly cloudy. Highs near 15 below.
Monday Night...Partly cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows near 30 below.
Tuesday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow. Highs near 10 below.
Tuesday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows near 20 below.
Wednesday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 15 below.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Wednesday, December 8th

Good morning! We still find ourselves in the deep freeze here in North Pole. So, cold is the word of the day and most likely will be for the foreseeable future.

Since it is a wee bit on the chilly side, we are finding indoor activities. On Monday, my husband decided it would be the best time to decorate the house for Christmas. So, he crawled under the house, found all the Christmas boxes and brought them inside. He set up a small set of spruce trees (fake, of course), hung the garland, hung a few ornaments and then cleaned the mess. Wow! I didn't have to do anything! I am so thankful, because decorating for Christmas is one of my least favorite activities. Now, our house his "festive" and ready for any unexpected visitors. I hope you have had a chance to do your decorating or at least find someone to do it for you!

Current Conditions at 6:30 a.m.:

Temperature: 25 degrees below zero
Skies: Partly Cloudy
BP: 29.95 and falling
DP: -27.4
Sunrise: 10:38 a.m.
Sunset: 2:47 p.m.

7 Day Outlook from the NWS:

Today...Mostly clear. Highs 10 to 25 below in valleys...and around 5 above on the hills. Light winds.

Tonight...Mostly clear. Patchy ice fog. Colder. Lows 30 to 40 below...except 15 below on the hills. Light winds.

Thursday...Mostly clear. Patchy ice fog. Highs 5 to 30 below... Warmest in the hills. Light winds.

Thursday Night...Mostly clear. Patchy ice fog. Lows 20 below to 45 below zero...warmest in the hills. Light winds.

Friday...Mostly clear. Highs 20 below to 25 below. Light winds.

Friday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows near 25 below.

Saturday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow. Highs near 10 below.Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 20 below.

Sunday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 15 below.

Sunday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows near 20 below.

Monday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 10 below.

Monday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 20 below.

Tuesday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 10 below.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Tuesday, December 7th

Good morning! It's somewhat humorous for me to watch the news from the Lower 48 and see the reports on "The Arctic Blast!" affecting the Eastern half of the country. Temperatures below freezing and snow falling. It makes me laugh because I remember when we lived in Florida and Alabama and it would get cold (you know, like 20 degrees). We would bundle up and think that the world was ending if we didn't get a cup of hot chocolate. I also laugh because we are currently at 26 below zero here in North Pole. Now that's cold! I also get a big chuckle when it gets to 20 above here, because the kids are running around in short sleeves. I guess it's all about perspective. Wherever you are, I hope you have a fire to keep you warm and a cup of hot chocolate to keep you alive.

Speaking of cold snaps, it appears that our below zero temperatures are continuing through the next seven days. There are no signs of snow in the near future. We will see clear skies through Thursday and then the clouds roll in. Highs should be between 15 and 20 below zero and lows should range between 25 and 35 below zero.

Current Conditions at 5:30 a.m.:

Temperature: 26 degrees below zero
Skies: Fair
BP: 30.23 and falling
DP: -28.3
Sunrise: 10:36 a.m.
Sunset: 2:49 p.m.

7 Day Outlook from the NWS:

Today...Partly cloudy. Highs 5 to 20 below...coldest in valleys. Patchy fog. Light winds.

Tonight...Partly cloudy. Patchy ice fog. Lows 10 to 35 below...coldest in valleys. Northeast winds around 10 mph.

Wednesday...Mostly clear. Highs 5 to 20 below. Coldest in valleys. Light winds.

Wednesday Night...Mostly clear. Patchy ice fog. Lows 25 to 35 below. Light winds.

Thursday...Mostly clear. Highs 15 to 25 below zero. Light winds.

Thursday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 35 below.

Friday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 25 below.

Friday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 30 below.

Saturday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 20 below.

Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 25 below.

Sunday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 15 below.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 25 below.

Monday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 15 below

Monday, December 6, 2010

Monday, December 6th

Good morning! I cannot believe that we are really in the month of December! Yes, it's below zero outside and the daylight hours are only 4 hours and 16 minutes. That should make it feel like December, but it seems like summer was just here and we were all wearing shorts. Regardless, we have exactly 19 days until Christmas. I hope you have a dent in your shopping list, because I don't. I really need to think about getting some shopping done, as all of our gifts need to be shipped.

Okay, enough rambling and onto weather. This week, according to the NWS, should be rather uneventful. We will see partly cloudy to mostly clear skies all week. Temperatures will be well below zero. Highs should range from 10 below to 20 below zero and lows between 20 below zero to 30 below zero. There's not much else to say other than a big thank you to the ridge over ADAK for the clear skies and cold temps!

Current Conditions at 6:30 a.m.:

Temperature: 15 degrees below zero
Skies: A few clouds
BP: 30.39 and rising
DP: -19.3
Sunrise: 10:33 a.m.
Sunset: 2:50 p.m.

7 Day Outlook from the NWS:

Today...Partly cloudy. Highs zero to 20 below...warmest in the hills. Light winds.

Tonight...Partly cloudy. Lows 15 to 30 below...warmest in the hills. Light winds.

Tuesday...Partly cloudy. Highs 15 to 20 below. Northeast winds around 10 mph.

Tuesday Night...Mostly clear. Lows around 30 below. Northeast winds around 10 mph.

Wednesday...Mostly clear. Highs 15 to 20 below. Northeast winds around 10 mph.

Wednesday Night...Clear. Lows near 30 below.

Thursday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 20 below.

Thursday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 30 below.

Friday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 20 below.

Friday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 25 below.

Saturday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 15 below.

Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 20 below.

Sunday...Partly cloudy. Highs near 15 below

Friday, December 3, 2010

Friday, December 3rd

Current Conditions at 6:30 a.m.:

Temperature: 19 degrees below zero
Skies: Mostly Cloudy
BP: 29.89 and falling
DP: -20.3
Sunrise: 10:25 a.m.
Sunset: 2:56 p.m.

7 Day Outlook from the NWS:

Today...Increasing clouds. Highs 5 below to 10 above zero...coldest in the valleys. East winds to 10 mph.

Tonight...Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow after midnight. Lows around 5 below. East winds to 10 mph.

Saturday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow. Highs zero to 10 above. Southeast winds to 10 mph.

Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow in the evening. Lows around 10 below. East winds around 10 mph.

Sunday...Mostly cloudy. Highs around zero. Northeast winds to 10 mph.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 10 below.

Monday...Cloudy. Highs near zero.

Monday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 15 below.

Tuesday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 5 below.

Tuesday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 15 below.

Wednesday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 10 below.

Wednesday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 20 below.

Thursday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 10 below.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Thursday, December 2nd

Good morning! We have warmed ever so slightly overnight. We are now at 29 below zero instead of the 35 below zero when I went to bed last night. We should continue moderating over the next several days. Eventually, temperatures will top out at around zero. Not too bad for the first of December!

The NWS is also calling for scattered snow showers from Friday night through Saturday night. At this point, it does not appear to be anything significant. Most likely, it will be very light and something pretty to watch.

If you are in the Fairbanks area this weekend, be sure to stop by West Valley High School for the Tanana Valley Farmer's Market Christmas Bazaar. It will be on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All vendors are selling certified "Made in Alaska" products. It will be a great venue to find a few Christmas gifts!

Current Conditions at 6:30 a.m.:

Temperature: 29 degrees below zero
Skies: Partly Cloudy
BP: 30.04 and falling
DP: -31.6
Winds: Calm
Sunrise: 10:22 a.m.
Sunset: 2:58 p.m.

7 Day Outlook from the NWS:

Today...Partly cloudy. Highs 15 to 25 below...except around 5 above on the hill tops. Light winds.

Tonight...Partly cloudy. Lows 20 to 30 below...except around zero on the hilltops. Light winds.

Friday...Increasing clouds. Highs 5 below to 10 above...coldest in the valleys. Light winds.

Friday Night...Mostly cloudy. Scattered snow showers. Lows zero to 10 below. Northeast winds to 10 mph.

Saturday...Mostly cloudy. Scattered snow showers. Highs zero to 10 above. Light winds.

Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy. A chance of snow. Lows near 10 below.

Sunday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near zero.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 10 below.

Monday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 5 below.

Monday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 15 below.

Tuesday...Cloudy. Highs near 5 below.

Tuesday Night...Cloudy. Lows near 10 below.

Wednesday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near zero.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Wednesday, December 1st

Good morning! On Tuesday, we had a high of 31.1 degrees below zero. What a chilly day! Today, we should see some minor warming, if you consider highs of 20 to 25 below zero warmer. We should see some more significant moderating by Friday, as we could see highs of zero to 5 above zero.

Current Conditions at 6:30 a.m.:

Temperature: 34.4 degrees below zero
Skies: Fair
BP: 30.12 and steady
DP: -36.4
Winds: Calm
Sunrise: 10:19 a.m.
Sunset: 3:00 p.m.

7 Day Outlook from the NWS:

Today...Clear and cold with patchy ice fog. Highs 15 to 25 below zero...except near zero in the hills. Light winds.

Tonight...Clear and cold with patchy ice fog. Lows 25 below to 35 below zero...except near 5 below in the hills. Light winds.

Thursday...Increasing clouds. Highs 10 to 20 below... Except around zero in the hills. Light winds.

Thursday Night...Mostly cloudy with flurries. Lows 10 to 20 below... Except around zero in the hills. Light winds.

Friday...Mostly cloudy and warmer. Highs around zero. Light winds.

Friday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows near 10 below.

Saturday...Cloudy with a chance of snow. Highs near 5 above.

Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows near 10 below.

Sunday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 5 below.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 15 below.

Monday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 10 below.

Monday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 25 below.

Tuesday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 15 below.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Tuesday, December 30th

Good bone-chilling morning! It is the coldest morning of the season in North Pole this morning. After a high on Monday of 24 below zero, we are currently sitting at 36 below zero and haven't budged in the last few hours. With clear skies, we are definitely in the deep freeze!

Temperatures should begin to moderate somewhat by Thursday. Instead of highs between 20 and 30 below zero, we should see highs around zero. While you may think that this is not that significant, it is! When you warm up 20 to 30 degrees, you definitely can feel the difference.

Current Conditions at 6:30 a.m.:

Temperature: 36 below zero
Skies: Clear
BP: 30.12 and steady
DP: -34.7
Winds: Calm
Sunrise: 10:16 a.m.
Sunset: 3:02 p.m.

7 Day Outlook from the NWS:

Today...Clear and cold with patchy ice fog. Partly cloudy. Highs 20 to 30 below...except to 5 below in the hills. Light winds.

Tonight...Clear and cold with patchy ice fog. Lows 25 to 35 below...except to 10 below in the hills. Light winds.

Wednesday...Partly cloudy. Highs 15 to 25 below...except to 5 above in the hills. Light winds.

Wednesday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows 20 to 30 below...except near zero in the hills. Light winds.

Thursday...Increasing clouds. Highs zero to 10 below. Light winds.

Thursday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 15 below.

Friday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 5 above.

Friday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 5 below.

Saturday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 5 above.

Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 10 below.

Sunday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 5 below.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 10 below.

Monday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 5 below.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Monday, November 29th

Good morning! Last week was certainly a long one with the freezing rain and icy roads. I'm happy to say that is behind us and we are now settling into a week of below zero temperatures. I find it quite amazing that one week ago today we were sitting at 32.5 degrees above zero and at this very moment we are 55 degrees colder!

This week looks rather tranquil in comparison of last week. We should see partly cloudy skies through Thursday with highs between 10 and 20 below zero and lows between 20 and 35 below zero. Bundle up and be sure to plug in your car!

Current Conditions at 6:30 a.m.:

Temperature: 23 degrees below zero
Skies: Clear
BP: 30.11 and steady
DP: -24.3
Winds: Calm or my anemometer is still frozen
Sunrise: 10:13 a.m.
Sunset: 3:05 p.m.

7 Day Outlook from the NWS:

Today...Partly cloudy. Some flurries this morning. Highs 10 to 15 below...except around zero on the hills. Light winds.

Tonight...Partly cloudy. Lows 15 to 30 below. Coldest in valleys. Light winds.

Tuesday...Partly cloudy. Highs 10 to 20 below. Light winds.

Tuesday Night...Mostly clear. Lows 15 to 30 below. Light winds.

Wednesday...Partly cloudy. Highs 10 to 20 below. Light winds.

Wednesday Night...Mostly clear. Lows near 25 below.

Thursday...Partly cloudy. Highs near 5 below.

Thursday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 10 below.

Friday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near zero.

Friday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 10 below.

Saturday...Mostly cloudy. A chance of snow. Highs near zero.

Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 10 below.

Sunday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near zero.

Friday, November 26, 2010

The Day After

Good morning! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and had lots of good food and fun. Here in the Interior, we survived the freezing rain and icy roads. In fact, this rain event was the worst since 1936!

I was just checking the DOT website (http://511.alaska.gov/alaska511/mappingcomponent) for road conditions. As of 8:00 a.m., travel is not advised in the greater Fairbanks area. There were several accidents noted on the map, as well. So, if you decide to get out and about, please take it slow and be very careful.

We did have some snow over the last 24 hours. I have not measured, but I would guess it would be close to 1 1/2 to 2 inches. The NWS is predicting a few snow showers for today and by the weekend, it will be much colder.

Current Conditions at 8:00 a.m.:

Temperature: 22 degrees
Skies: Light Snow
BP: 29.80 and steady
RH: 90%
Wind: Calm
Sunrise: 10:04 a.m.
Sunset: 3:12 p.m.

7 Day Outlook from the NWS:

Today...Mostly cloudy. Scattered snow showers. Highs 15 to 25. Southwest winds 5 to 15 mph.

Tonight...Mostly cloudy. A chance of snow. Lows zero to 5 below. Southwest winds 5 to 15 mph becoming east after midnight.

Saturday...Mostly cloudy. Scattered snow showers in the morning. Scattered flurries after noon. Highs around zero. North winds 5 to 15 mph.

Saturday Night...Decreasing clouds. Scattered flurries. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows 10 to 20 below. East winds 5 to 15 mph.

Sunday...Patchy morning fog. Mostly cloudy. A chance of snow. Highs around 5 below. West winds 5 to 15 mph.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 10 below.

Monday...Cloudy. Highs near 5 below.

Monday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 15 below.

Tuesday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 5 below.

Tuesday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 15 below.

Wednesday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near zero.

Wednesday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 10 below.

Thursday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 5 above.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

The End is Even Closer (Just Not as Close as I Thought)

6:20 p.m. Update from the NWS:

WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST TONIGHT FOR FREEZING RAIN

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST TONIGHT. OCCASIONAL FREEZING RAIN AND DENSE FOG WILL CONTINUE THIS EVENING. ADDITIONAL ICE ACCUMULATION WILL BE LESS THAN ONE TENTH OF AN INCH. THE FREEZING RAIN WILL CHANGE TO SNOW LATE THIS EVENING.

DRIVING CONDITIONS WILL REMAIN VERY DANGEROUS THIS EVENING. ROAD SURFACES IN SOME AREAS ARE EXTREMELY SLICK. WATER IS PONDING IN LOW SPOTS OF SOME ROADS MAKING DEEP PUDDLES THAT WILL FREEZE LATE TONIGHT. SLUSH IN PARKING LOTS WILL FREEZE LATE TONIGHT AS WELL.

ICE HAS ACCUMULATED ON TREE BRANCHES IN SOME AREAS AND COULD LEAD TO DOWNED TREES AND POWER LINES.

The End is in Sight

Winter Storm Warning Continues until 6:00 p.m.
Dense Fog Advisory until 10:00 a.m.

After two days of rain and freezing rain, the end is in sight. We should see periods of freezing rain today mixing with snow this afternoon. Tonight we will see some snow showers. Areas north and west of Fairbanks could see up to 2 inches of snow.

Thanksgiving Day will be cooler than the past few days. Highs should top out in the 20's with snow likely. According to the NWS, we could see 1 to 2 inches of snow.

By the weekend, temperatures begin to plummet to below zero for lows and around zero for highs.

Current Conditions at 7:30 a.m.:

Temperature: 32.2 degrees
Skies: Light Drizzle/Fog
BP: 29.17 and falling
RH: 94%
Winds: Anemometer is still frozen
Sunrise: 9:57 a.m.
Sunset: 3:17 p.m.

7 Day Outlook from the NWS:

Today...Periods of freezing rain...becoming mixed with snow in the afternoon. Little or no snow accumulation. Areas of dense fog in the morning reducing visibility to a quarter mile or less. Highs 30 to 35. Light winds.

Tonight...Snow likely north and west of Fairbanks with snow accumulation 1 to 2 inches. A chance of snow elsewhere. Lows 20 to 25. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph developing.

Thanksgiving Day...Snow likely. Snow accumulation 1 to 2 inches. Highs around 20. West winds 10 to 15 mph.

Thursday Night...Cloudy with a chance of snow showers. Lows around 5 above. West winds around 15 mph.

Friday...Cloudy with a chance of snow showers. Highs around 10 above. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph.

Friday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 5 below.

Saturday...Cloudy. Highs near 5 above.

Saturday Night...Cloudy. Lows near 10 below.

Sunday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 5 below.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 15 below.

Monday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 5 below.

Monday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 10 below.

Tuesday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 10 below.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Freezing Rain Continues

Woll Road by Badger Road Elementary School

Staying off the roads is recommended!

6:20 p.m. Update from the National Weather Service:

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST WEDNESDAY FOR FREEZING RAIN

FREEZING RAIN CONTINUES TO FALL OVER THE MIDDLE TANANA VALLEY AND IN THE FAIRBANKS AREA, FREEZING ON CONTACT WITH ROAD SURFACES. ROADS ARE EXTREMELY ICY AND DRIVING CONDITIONS CONTINUE TO BE DANGEROUS. FOG IS REDUCING VISIBILITIES AT TIMES TO ONE QUARTER OF A MILE. MELTING SNOW AND RAIN ARE ALSO CAUSING PONDING OF WATER ALONG SOME ROADWAYS. TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN AROUND FREEZING AND RAIN WILL CONTINUE INTO TONIGHT.

Tuesday, November 23rd

Alaska State Troopers and the DOT are
strongly encouraging drivers to stay off the roads!

Winter Storm Warning extended until Wednesday, November 24th 6:00 p.m.!

National Weather Service Update:

FREEZING RAIN IS FALLING OVER THE MIDDLE TANANA VALLEY AND IN THE FAIRBANKS AREA...FREEZING ON CONTACT WITH MANY ROAD SURFACES. ROADS ARE EXTREMELY ICY AND DRIVING CONDITIONS CONTINUE TO BE DANGEROUS. TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN AROUND FREEZING AND RAIN WILL CONTINUE INTO THE EARLY AFTERNOON.

Current Conditions at 10:30 a.m.:

Temperature: 32.5 degrees
Skies: Light Freezing Rain
BP: 29.65 and falling
RH: 93%
Winds: My anemometer is frozen
Sunrise: 9:54 a.m.
Sunset: 3:20 p.m.


7 Day Outlook from the NWS:

Today...Freezing rain. Areas of fog. Highs near 35. East winds 5 to 15 mph.

Tonight...Freezing rain. Areas of fog. Lows 25 to 30. East winds 5 to 15 mph.

Wednesday...Freezing rain diminishing in the afternoon. Highs 25 to 30. Southeast winds 5 to 15 mph.

Wednesday Night...Cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows near 20. Southwest winds 10 mph.

Thanksgiving Day...Cloudy with a chance of snow. Highs around 20 but falling through the day. West winds 10 to 15 mph.

Thursday Night...Cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows near 5 above.

Friday...Cloudy with a chance of snow. Highs near 10 above.

Friday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows near 10 below.

Saturday...Cloudy. Highs near 5 above.

Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 15 below.

Sunday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 5 below.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 20 below.

Monday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 10 below.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Winter Storm Warning Continues!

The latest from the NWS:

Winter Storm Warning continues until 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 23rd!

...UNUSUAL WINTERTIME RAINFALL TO PERSIST THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

AN EXTREMELY WARM AND MOIST AIR MASS MOVING AROUND A LARGE HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM OVER THE NORTH PACIFIC WILL CONTINUE TO BRING WIDESPREAD RAIN AND FREEZING RAIN TO INTERIOR ALASKA.

RAINFALL AMOUNTS EXCEEDING ONE INCH ARE POSSIBLE IN FAIRBANKS AND THE REMAINDER OF THE CENTRAL INTERIOR THROUGH WEDNESDAY. THIS AMOUNT OF RAIN IS EXPECTED TO RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT COMPACTING AND MELTING OF THE LOCAL SNOW PACK OVER THE NEXT TWO DAYS.

IT IS POSSIBLE THAT RUNOFF FROM RAIN AND MELTING SNOW WILL CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS AND OTHER POOR DRAINAGE AREAS AND LOW SPOTS. SIGNIFICANT OVERFLOW IS ALSO EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ON LAKES AND RIVERS...AND SOME SMALL STREAMS AND CREEKS MAY EXPERIENCE ELEVATED WATER LEVELS.

COOLER AIR WILL SLOWLY FILTER IN TO THE REGION ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THE RAIN IS EXPECTED TO CHANGE BACK TO SNOW.

THIS IS AN EXTRAORDINARY EVENT FOR INTERIOR ALASKA. RAIN DURING THE WINTER IN FAIRBANKS IS UNUSUAL...BUT WHEN IT DOES OCCUR AMOUNTS ARE TYPICALLY VERY LIGHT. HOWEVER...RAIN AMOUNTS IN EXCESS OF A QUARTER INCH OF RAIN...EVEN OVER SEVERAL DAYS...ANYTIME BETWEEN MID-NOVEMBER AND EARLY APRIL ARE EXTREMELY RARE. THE LAST TIME FAIRBANKS HAD THAT MUCH RAIN DURING THE WINTER WAS IN FEBRUARY 2003...WHEN 0.29 INCHES OF RAIN FELL BETWEEN THE 8TH AND 10TH. THE ONLY OCCURRENCE DURING THE SECOND HALF OF NOVEMBER OF SO MUCH RAIN WAS ON NOVEMBER 24 1936...WHEN 0.42 INCHES OF RAIN FELL. THE GREATEST WINTER RAINFALL OF RECORD IN FAIRBANKS OCCURRED ON JANUARY 20 1937...WHEN AN AMAZING 0.99 INCHES OF RAIN FELL ON TOP OF THE 25 INCHES OF SNOW THAT HAD FALLEN ON THE TWO PREVIOUS DAYS.

IT IS LIKELY THAT OVER AN INCH OF RAIN WILL FALL IN FAIRBANKS BEFORE THE RAIN CHANGES BACK TO SNOW WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

Monday, November 22nd

WINTER STORM WARNING continues in effect until 6:00 p.m. Tuesday.

AN EXTREMELY WARM AND MOIST AIR MASS...MOVING AROUND A LARGE HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM OVER THE NORTH PACIFIC...WILL BRING PERIODS OF RAIN THROUGH TUESDAY. EVEN THOUGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE SLIGHTLY ABOVE FREEZING IN MANY AREAS...RAIN WILL RAPIDLY FREEZE ON EXPOSED SURFACES. DRIVING CONDITIONS WILL BECOME EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

Current Conditions at 5:30 a.m.:

Temperature: 28 degrees
Skies: Freezing Drizzle
BP: 29.96 and falling
RH: 94%
Winds: Calm
Sunrise: 9:51 a.m.
Sunset: 3:23 p.m.

7 Day Outlook from NWS:

Today...Freezing rain and areas of fog. Highs around 35. East winds to 10 mph.

Tonight...Periods of freezing rain and areas of fog. Lows 30 to 35. Light winds.

Tuesday...Periods of freezing rain and areas of fog. Highs around 35. Light winds.

Tuesday Night...Cloudy with a chance of rain. Lows 30 to 35. East winds to 10 mph.

Wednesday...Mostly cloudy. Highs around 35. East winds around 10 mph in the morning becoming light.

Wednesday Night...Cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows near 15.

Thanksgiving Day...Cloudy with a chance of snow. Highs near 15.

Thursday Night...Cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows near 10 below.

Friday...Cloudy with a chance of snow. Highs near zero.

Friday Night...Cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows near 15 below.

Saturday...Cloudy with a chance of snow. Highs near 10 below.

Saturday Night...Cloudy. Lows near 20 below.

Sunday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 10 below.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Winter Storm Warning!

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM MONDAY TO 3 AM AKST TUESDAY FOR FREEZING RAIN...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FAIRBANKS HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR FREEZING RAIN...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM MONDAY TO 3 AM AKST TUESDAY.

THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

AN EXTREMELY WARM AND MOIST AIR MASS...MOVING AROUND A LARGE HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM OVER THE NORTH PACIFIC WILL BRING STEADY RAIN STARTING EARLY MONDAY. EVEN THOUGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE SLIGHTLY ABOVE FREEZING IN MANY AREAS...RAIN WILL RAPIDLY FREEZE ON EXPOSED SURFACES. DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD BECOME EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

Friday, November 19, 2010

November 19th Snow Total

Okay, I stand corrected and am in total shock. If you read my last post, I thought that our snow total from last night's storm would be well under 1 inch. After I sent my husband out into the cold to measure, he came back in with his report. Are you ready for this? It was a whopping 1.8 inches! I would have NEVER guessed it would have been that much. Oh, well! Happy Friday!!!!

TGIF, November 19th

Good morning and it's Friday! If you are in the Fairbanks area, the UAF Nanooks will be taking on Northern Michigan University in hockey at the Carlson Center tonight. It starts at 7:30 p.m. Nanook hockey is always a lot of fun!

We are starting the morning off with mostly cloudy skies. We did not get as much snow as some parts of the Fairbanks North Star Borough. It really didn't even begin to snow until late afternoon here in North Pole. While I have not taken a measurement, my guess is we had well under an inch.

Today, we will continue to see cloudy skies with highs in the upper teens. The NWS is still calling for highs around 30 or 35 on both Saturday and Sunday. Hopefully, we will not see the warm up and it will stay well below freezing.

Current Conditions at 6:30 a.m.:

Temperature: 9 degrees
Skies: Mostly Cloudy
BP: 30.45 and steady
RH: 86%
Winds: Calm
Sunrise: 9:41 a.m.
Sunset: 3:31 p.m.

7 Day Outlook from the NWS:

Today...Cloudy. Highs around 20. Light winds.

Tonight...Cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows 15 to 20. Light winds.

Saturday...Cloudy with a chance of snow. Highs 25 to 30. Light winds.

Saturday Night...Cloudy. Lows around 20. Light winds.

Sunday...Cloudy. Highs 30 to 35. Light winds.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows near 20.

Monday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow. Highs near 25.

Monday Night...Cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows near 20.

Tuesday...Cloudy with a chance of snow. Highs near 25.

Tuesday Night...Cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows near 5 above.

Wednesday...Cloudy with a chance of snow. Highs near 15.

Wednesday Night...Cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows near zero.

Thanksgiving Day...Cloudy with a chance of snow. Highs near 5 above.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Thursday, November 18th

Good morning! It has warmed up and it looks like we may have some snow on the way. Areas to the North and East of Fairbanks are under a Winter Weather Advisory until 6:00 a.m. Friday. Snow totals could reach between 2 and 5 inches with the heaviest amounts in those North and East areas of the borough. Either way, it should make for a beautiful day!

With the weekend approaching, it appears that we will still have highs between 25 and 30 on Saturday and on Sunday a chance of snow coming into the picture. As it stands now, there is no mention of any cold air coming into our area throughout the 7 day forecast period. It seems that it will remain rather mild (by Alaskan standards).

Insight to Fairbanks Climate courtesy of Wikipedia:

Fairbanks' climate is usually classified as subarctic with long, bitterly cold winters, and short, warm summers, in which much of the annual precipitation falls. In Fairbanks, winter lasts from late September/early October until late April/early May. October thru January are the snowiest, and snow is limited from February to May. On average, the season's first snow falls in Fairbanks on September 21 and the first inch of snow accumulates by October 8. The snow pack is established by October 18, on average, and remains until May.

Snow occasionally arrives early and in large amounts. On September 13, 1992, 8 inches of snow fell in the city, bending trees still laden with fall leaves. That September also was one of the snowiest on record, as 24 inches fell, compared to an average of 2.2 inches in the month.

Average winter low temperatures range from −15 °F to −25 °F, but extremes can range from 50 °F to −60 °F. In summer, temperatures typically range between 70 °F and 50 °F. Fairbanks did not record a 90 °F temperature between 1994 and 2009.

The highest recorded temperature in Fairbanks was 99 °F, while the lowest was −66 °F. The warmest year in Fairbanks was 1981, when the average annual temperature was 32.0 °F. The coldest year was 1956, which averaged a low of 21.3 °F.

Current Conditions at 6:30 a.m.:

Temperature: 4 degrees above zero
Skies: Cloudy
BP: 30.43 and falling
RH: 81%
Winds: Calm
Sunrise: 9:37 a.m.
Sunset: 3:34 p.m.

7 Day Outlook from the NWS:

Today...Cloudy. Snow north of Fairbanks spreading south. Snow accumulation 1 to 3 inches...heaviest north and east of Fairbanks. Patchy fog. Highs 10 to 25. Southwest winds to 15 mph.

Tonight...Cloudy. Periods of snow in the evening...then scattered snow showers after midnight. Patchy fog. Snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches. Total snow accumulation 2 to 5 inches...heaviest north and east of Fairbanks. Lows zero to 10 above. Southwest winds to 10 mph.

Friday...Mostly cloudy. Isolated snow showers in the morning. Patchy fog. Highs 10 to 20. Light winds.

Friday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows 5 to 15 above. Light winds.

Saturday...Cloudy. Highs 25 to 30. Light winds.

Saturday Night...Cloudy. Chance of snow. Lows near 10.

Sunday...Cloudy. Chance of snow. Highs near 20.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 10.

Monday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 15.

Monday Night...Cloudy. Chance of snow. Lows near 10.

Tuesday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 15.

Tuesday Night...Cloudy. Chance of snow. Lows near 5 above.

Wednesday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 10.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Wednesday, November 17th

Roller coaster. That's the first word that comes to mind when I finished reading the NWS's forecast this morning. Currently, we are sitting at 13 below zero (much warmer than predicted). So, we've hit the bottom of this roller coaster ride and now we are headed back up. Way up!

If the NWS is correct in their forecast, we will see temperatures up near 30 degrees by Saturday! They predict this trend to continue throughout the rest of the 7 day forecast period. Personally, I hope they are wrong. I do not look forward to a warming period followed by another cold snap followed by who knows what. I want off this roller coaster!

Another fun fact about Alaska:
Alaska has 17 of the 20 highest mountains in North America. Mt McKinley (Denali) is the highest at 20,320 ft, second is Mt Saint Elias, near Glennallen, at 18,008 ft. and Alaska has 15 National Parks.

Current Conditions at 6:30 a.m.:

Temperature: 13 below zero
Skies: Overcast
BP: 30.85 and falling
RH: 75%
DP: -16.6
Winds: Calm
Sunrise: 9:34 a.m.
Sunset: 3:37 p.m.

7 Day Outlook from the NWS:

Today...Mostly cloudy. Areas of flurries and patchy fog this morning. Highs zero to 5 above. Light winds.

Tonight...Mostly cloudy. Scattered snow showers developing north of Fairbanks after midnight. Areas of blowing snow developing over the hills. Lows 5 below to zero. South winds to 10 mph...except winds increasing to 15 to 25 mph over the hills.

Thursday...Cloudy with snow showers. Areas of blowing snow over the hills. Snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches...2 to 5 inches east of Fairbanks. Highs 20 to 30. West winds 10 to 15 mph...except 15 to 25 mph over the hills.

Thursday Night...Cloudy. Snow likely. Lows around 5 above. West winds around 10 mph.

Friday...Decreasing clouds. Highs 10 to 15. Light winds.

Friday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 5 above.

Saturday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 30.

Saturday Night...Cloudy. Chance of snow. Lows near 20.

Sunday...Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow. Highs near 30.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows near 20.

Monday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 30.

Monday Night...Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow. Lows near 20.

Tuesday...Mostly cloudy. Highs near 30.