Just keeps coming

[Farmtalk]

It's amazing what the temperature gradient is so close in Alaska...40F at the shore...-40 inland 

[Scalphunter]

Graph from Lincoln Rock Light showing last storm thru the area.

[Scalphunter]

For those wanting snow I suggest moving north

So far, this has been a fall/winter of above normal snowfall for many locations across Alaska. How has your location fared? Anchorage has already received over 2 feet more snow than usual. Yakutat is almost 6 feet above normal, and Valdez is 7.5 FEET above normal. In contrast, Fairbanks is almost a foot below normal for this point of the season. There are still several more months of winter to come!

[Farmtalk]

We have had two days of a dusting of snow each and that is it...We had over 15 inches already this time last year

[WeatherHost]

ANCHORAGE, Alaska | Fri Dec 30, 2011 10:10pm EST

(Reuters) - An ice-breaking Russian tanker won an exemption from U.S. maritime law on Friday allowing it to deliver fuel to the isolated Alaska city of Nome, the state's two U.S. senators announced.

If successful, the voyage will provide the first ever marine delivery of petroleum products to a western Alaska city in winter, officials said.

Nome, which has no outside road connections and relies on marine vessels or aircraft for shipment of goods, missed its last regular fall delivery of 1.6 million gallons of fuel.

The problem was attributed to bad weather, including a severe November storm that was considered the worst to hit northwestern Alaska in decades.

With the onset of winter, Nome is now ice-locked, Begich said. The U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker Healy, which is more powerful than the Russian ship, is scheduled to guide the tanker into Nome, he said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/31/us-alaska-fuel-icebreaker-idUSTRE7BU04E20111231?feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews&rpc=22&sp=true

[Scalphunter]

Warning Description: Winter Storm Warning

Warning Date: 4:00 PM AKST on January 5, 2012

WarningSum:...Winter Storm Warning For Heavy Snow Remains In Effect Until 9 Am
Akst Friday...

Warning Message:A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 9 am akst Friday.
* Snow...storm total accumulation 20 to 30 inches.
* Timing...heavy snow will let up briefly during the early evening
  hours and then become heavy again by late evening. Heavy snow
  will continue through the night and diminish by mid morning
  Friday.
* Impacts...travel will be difficult. Visibilities will be
  severely limited in heavy snowfall.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow means severe winter weather
conditions are expected or occurring. Significant amounts of snow
are forecast that will make travel very difficult. Only travel in
an emergency. If you must travel...keep an extra flashlight...
food...and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.


They are closing in also on 200 inches



John

[Scalphunter]

A Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow has been issued for the Valdez area through Friday morning. 20-30 inches of snow is likely during this time.
 
This is in addition to an already exceptional season for snow around Valdez. December has gone down as the "snowiest" December on record with 152.2 inches measured. The 2011-2012 season is on pace with the snowiest season on record which was 1989-1990 when Valdez measured 560 inches. As of 2pm on January 5, 2012, the seasonal total is 246.6 inches.
 

[Scalphunter]

As the title of this thread says.....

http://www.ktuu.com/weather/ktuu-channel-2-weather-a-strong-weekend-storm-to-slam-alaska-20120106,0,5195199.story


never ending this year. Seem like we step back to the Alaskan weather  I saw and lover when I moved here 43 years ago.

John

[Scalphunter]

Warning Description: Blizzard Watch

Warning Date: 8:08 am AKST on January 9, 2012

WarningSum:...Blizzard Watch Remains In Effect From Late Tonight Through
Late Tuesday Night Through Late Tuesday Night Through Late
Tuesday Night Through Thompson Pass...

Warning Message:A blizzard watch remains in effect from late tonight through late
Tuesday night.
* Location...Thompson Pass.
* Snow...snowfall accumulation through late Tuesday night 10 to 20
  inches. Snow drifts 2 to 3 feet possible.
* Visibility...possibly less than one quarter mile at times.
* Wind...east 30 to 45 mph.
* Timing...winds and snowfall will increase late tonight and
  continue through Tuesday night.
* Impacts...snowfall combined with strong winds and blowing snow
  may produce white-out conditions at times. Driving may become
  very difficult. Increased avalanche danger.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A blizzard watch means there is a potential for falling and/or
blowing snow with strong winds and extremely poor visibilities.
This can lead to white-out conditions and make travel very
difficult.


No breaks for that area,

[Scalphunter]

The hp in Siberia starting to drift east now from where it was paaked in Russia  so temps all over Alaska going to drop and looks like some of it will hit lower Canadian areas,

arning Description: Special Statement

Warning Date: 5:19 am AKST on January 12, 2012

WarningSum:...Very Cold And Windy Conditions For The Panhandle This Weekend And Next Week...

Warning Message:The weather pattern across Southeast Alaska will turn very cold
and windy starting late Friday night and persist through next
week. A strong high pressure center will build over the Yukon
Friday night and the northern Panhandle Saturday. This high
pressure will send very cold Arctic air across the area causing
temperatures to fall through the day Friday into the 20s over the
northern areas and lower 30s over the southern area. Temperatures
will continue to fall through the weekend with highs ranging from
the single digits over the northern third of the Panhandle to the
mid 20s to mid teens over the southern third. Low temperatures will
range from below zero over the northern half to low teens over the
south third. The cold air will persist into next week and high
temperatures will range from single digits over the northern half
and near 20 over the southern half. Lows will remain below zero to
single digits. People should take action to keep pipes from
freezing since many locations across Southeast Alaska are snow
free.
Along with the very cold temperatures the high pressure will
produce locally very strong winds from the north northeast. Winds will
increase through Friday night and persist into next week. Marine
waters will see widespread gales over the northern two thirds with
gusts from 60 to 70 kt out of interior passes over the Inner
Channels and the northeast Gulf. The strong winds and cold
temperatures will produce heavy freezing spray late Friday night
into Saturday and continue through the weekend. There will also be
localized very strong winds gusts in exposed areas and near
interior passes over land areas. The Juneau area can expect taku
winds to develop late Friday night and persist into early next
week. The combination of the strong winds and cold temperatures
will create very cold wind chills ranging from -30 over the far
northern areas to -10 over the central Inner Channels.
This statement will be updated at 9 PM akst Thursday or sooner if
conditions warrant.

[Scalphunter]

Warning Description: Blizzard Warning

Warning Date: 5:01 am AKST on January 13, 2012

WarningSum:...Blizzard Warning Remains In Effect From 9 Am This Morning To
6 Am Akst Saturday Through Thompson Pass...

Warning Message:A Blizzard Warning remains in effect from 9 am this morning to
6 am akst Saturday.
* Location...through Thompson Pass.
* Snow...drifts of 2 to 4 ft likely.
* Visibility...one quarter mile or less.
* Wind...north wind increasing to 30 to 45 mph in the morning and
  35 to 50 mph with gusts to 65 mph tonight.
* Timing...winds will increase this morning and begin to blow
  around the snow from the most recent storm. Winds will continue
  to strengthen through tonight while the amount of transportable snow
  will gradually diminish. Thus conditions should improve by
  Saturday morning.
* Impacts...snowfall combined with strong winds and blowing snow
  will produce white-out conditions along portions of the Road
  through Thompson Pass. Driving will be difficult in places.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are
expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds
and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to white-out
conditions...making travel very difficult. All travel and outdoor
activity is strongly discouraged.

[Scalphunter]

Warning Description: Special Statement

Warning Date: 4:00 PM AKST on January 9, 2012

WarningSum:...Very Cold And Windy Conditions For South Central Alaska This
Weekend Into Next Week...

Warning Message:The weather pattern across the state is changing from the frequent
storms in the Gulf to a colder...drier and windy pattern.
High pressure will build over the state tonight through the weekend.
The high will center itself over the Chukchi Sea early next week.
This will result in very cold Arctic air diving southward across
the Mainland and remaining in place through next week.
Cold air is already in place and with a clear night setting up
for south central and southwest Alaska overnight temperatures of
20 to 40 below are anticipated tonight and tomorrow night. Over the
Anchorage bowl and Matanuska Valley overnight temperatures will be
from 5 to 20 below. Overnight temperatures will remain cold through
the week. Daytime temperatures will be hard pressed to reach above
zero in some valleys of interior locations of south central Alaska.
Along with the very cold temperatures...the high pressure will
produce very strong winds from the north...especially through gaps
in the terrain. The highest winds are anticipated from Prince
William Sound eastward where gusts could approach 55 kt through
passes. With the freshly fallen snow...the winds are creating
blizzard conditions through Thompson Pass which are not anticipated
to end until Saturday morning. The gusty winds will extend into the
marine areas as well...and combine with the very cold temperatures
to produce heavy freezing spray through the weekend. In
addition...the combination of the strong winds and cold temperatures
will create very cold wind chills ranging from 20 to 40 below for
many inland locations through the weekend.
Jn
400 PM akst Mon Jan 9 2012
...Very cold and windy conditions for south central Alaska this
weekend into next week...
The weather pattern across the state is changing from the frequent
storms in the Gulf to a colder...drier and windy pattern.
High pressure will build over the state tonight through the weekend.
The high will center itself over the Chukchi Sea early next week.
This will result in very cold Arctic air diving southward across
the Mainland and remaining in place through next next week.
Cold air is already in place and with a clear night setting up
for south central and southwest Alaska overnight temperatures of
20 to 40 below are anticipated tonight and tomorrow night. Over the
Anchorage bowl and Matanuska Valley overnight temperatures will be
from 5 to 20 below. Overnight temperatures will remain cold through
the week.
Daytime temperatures will be hard pressed to reach above zero in
some valleys of interior locations of south central Alaska.
Along with the very cold temperatures...the high pressure will
produce very strong winds from the north...especially through gaps
in the terrain. The highest winds are anticipated from Prince
William Sound eastward where gusts could approach 55 kt through
passes. With the freshly fallen snow...the winds are creating
blizzard conditions through Thompson Pass which are not anticipated
to end until Saturday morning. The gusty winds will extend into the
marine areas as well...and combine with the very cold temperatures
to produce heavy freezing spray through the weekend. In
addition...the combination of the strong winds and cold temperatures
will create very cold wind chills ranging from 20 to 40 below for
many inland locations through the weekend.
Jn

[kiabird]

Looks bad in the North Pacific even to this amateur's eye:

http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/satellite/animateweb_e.html?imagetype=satellite&imagename=goes_pac_vvi_m_..................jpg&nbimages=1&clf=1

Barb

[Scalphunter]

Warning Description: Special Statement

Warning Date: 3:58 PM AKST on January 18, 2012

WarningSum:...A Series Of Winter Storms To Affect Southeast Alaska Friday
Through Monday...

Warning Message:A series of strong low pressure systems lifting out of the central
Pacific is forecast to battle a deep and very cold air mass across
the Panhandle starting Friday and continuing into early next week.
Temperatures are expected to slowly rise through this time period.
The first low is forecast to move into the southeast Gulf Friday
and will bring snow to the southern Panhandle and strong
winds...low wind chills...and heavy freezing spray to the northern
Panhandle.
A second strong low is forecast to move into the southeast Gulf
late Saturday and into the north central Gulf Sunday. This will
bring more snow to the southern Panhandle that will likely mix
with rain. Snow will also spread across the central Panhandle
Saturday night. Strong north winds and low wind chills will
continue for northern Southeast Alaska.
A third system will move through Southeast Alaska with snow for the
northern half and a mix of rain and snow for the southern half.
Persons across Southeast Alaska...especially those with outdoor
activities...should be prepared for harsh winter conditions
including strong winds...low wind chills...freezing spray...and
heavy snow. Keep updated on this developing winter weather event
with the latest National Weather Service warnings and forecasts
available from NOAA Weather Radio or on the world wide web.
Mm

[Garth Bock]

Those were the days......

[W3DRM]

It's amazing what the temperature gradient is so close in Alaska...40F at the shore...-40 inland 

That's because the water off the coast of Alaska are part of the Japanese current which is (relatively) warm. That's also the reason they have a lot of rain along the south eastern coast of Alaska.

I've cruised up the inside passage on a cruise ship and was amazed at the amount of rainfall that part of Alaska gets on an annual basis. As they told us on the ship, if it's not raining or snowing at the moment, it's going to shortly -  . We had a lot of rain on our cruise in August when we went but it was still beautiful to see the area.

[Scalphunter]

Warning Description: Winter Storm Warning

Warning Date: 3:53 PM AKST on January 19, 2012

WarningSum:...Winter Storm Warning In Effect From 3 Am Friday To 9 Am Akst
Saturday...

Warning Message:The National Weather Service in Juneau has issued a Winter Storm
Warning for heavy snow...which is in effect from 3 am Friday to 9 am
akst Saturday. The Winter Storm Watch is no longer in effect.
* Snow...8 to 20 inches of snow is likely. Highest amounts are
  expected in Ketchikan and along the eastern slopes of Prince of
  Wales Island with lower amounts along the western slopes of
  Prince of Wales Island.
* Timing...snow will move into the area early Friday morning.
  Heaviest snow will occur Friday afternoon through early
  Saturday morning.
* Impacts...travel will become difficult. Local area of blowing
  and drifting snow will produce low visibilities.
This statement will be updated by 11 PM Thursday or sooner if conditions
warrant.

[Scalphunter]

AKZ028-210100-
/X.CON.PAJK.WS.W.0010.000000T0000Z-120121T1800Z/
SOUTHERN INNER CHANNELS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...KETCHIKAN...METLAKATLA
543 AM AKST FRI JAN 20 2012

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM AKST
SATURDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM AKST
SATURDAY.

* SNOW...14 TO 22 INCHES. HIGHEST AMOUNTS ARE EXPECTED IN
  KETCHIKAN. SNOW WILL BE DRIER THAN USUAL.

* TIMING...HEAVIEST SNOW WILL OCCUR FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
  EARLY SATURDAY MORNING.

* IMPACTS...TRAVEL WILL BECOME DIFFICULT. LOCAL AREAS OF BLOWING
  AND DRIFTING SNOW WILL PRODUCE LOW VISIBILITIES.

THIS STATEMENT WILL BE UPDATED BY 4 PM FRIDAY OR SOONER IF
CONDITIONS WARRANT.

[Scalphunter]

000
NOAK49 PAFG 201144
PNSAFG
AKZ218>226-210300-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
244 AM AKST FRI JAN 20 2012

...PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT...

THE CENTRAL INTERIOR OF ALASKA HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING MUCH BELOW
NORMAL TEMPERATURES FOR MOST OF JANUARY. AFTER A SLIGHT MODERATION
IN SOME AREAS ON THU WHICH WILL CONTINUE ON FRI...A RETURN TO
COLDER TEMPERATURES IS ON THE WAY AGAIN.

BEGINNING FRI NIGHT...COLDER AIR WILL MOVE INTO THE CENTRAL
INTERIOR FROM THE NORTH AND EAST. AS HIGH PRESSURE REMAINS THE
DOMINANT FORCE OVER FAR EAST RUSSIA AND THE HIGH ARCTIC...A STRONG
LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL MOVE INTO THE GULF OF ALASKA LATE FRI
NIGHT AND EARLY SAT. THIS WILL CREATE A MUCH TIGHTER PRESSURE
GRADIENT OVER MUCH OF THE INTERIOR OF ALASKA THIS WEEKEND.

THIS WEEKEND WILL SEE A PLUNGE TOWARD THE COLDER TEMPERATURES OF
LOWS COLDER THAN 40 BELOW IN MANY AREAS BUT ON THIS
OCCASION...EXPECT WINDS TO ACCOMPANY THESE COLDER TEMPERATURES.
WIND CHILLS OF 60 BELOW OR COLDER WILL BE COMMON IN MANY AREAS AND
WILL NOT BE CONFINED TO ONLY HIGHER TERRAIN. ADDITIONALLY...AREAS
OF BLOWING SNOW AND DRIFTING SNOW...PARTICULARLY ON SUMMITS AND
HIGHER TERRAIN WILL ALSO BE ANOTHER VARIABLE TO CONTEND WITH.
THESE CONDITIONS WILL LIKELY LAST INTO MONDAY AND WHILE THE COLD
AIR WILL REMAIN IN PLACE THROUGH THE WEEK...THE WINDS SHOULD BEGIN
TO SUBSIDE ON TUE.

ALTHOUGH THE WINDS WILL BEGIN TO SUBSIDE ON TUE...THERE IS
INDICATIONS THAT THE AIR MASS WILL BECOME EVEN COLDER THROUGH THE
WEEK AND IN THE AREAS VOID OF CLOUDS TEMPERATURES WILL EASILY DROP
TO WELL BELOW 50 BELOW. THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT THERE MAY BE
SOME CLOUDS THAT MOVE OVER THE EASTERN PORTION OF THE AREA BECAUSE
OF THE LOW IN THE GULF OF ALASKA WHICH WILL TEMPER THE COLD AIR
MASS A BIT.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES THIS WEEKEND WILL REQUIRE ADDITIONAL PLANNING
AND COLD WEATHER GEAR.

[DanS]

You all just keep getting hammered, one hit after another. On a brighter note, the Nome fuel rescue effort made it through for a delivery I see, even in those weather conditions.

[Scalphunter]

Yesterday storm moving north. We got 23 inches and Barometer hit 28.69 inches. Warmed up to 32 so snow turned to mixed.

Warning Description: Winter Storm Warning

Warning Date: 8:59 am AKST on January 21, 2012

WarningSum:...Winter Storm Warning Remains In Effect From 3 Pm This
Afternoon To 9 Am Akst Sunday...

Warning Message:A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from 3 PM this afternoon
to 9 am akst Sunday.
* Snow...11 to 17 inches from late this afternoon through Sunday
  morning. Snowfall rates may exceed 1 inch per hour.
* Impacts...travel will be difficult. Blowing snow will occur in
  windy locations.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A warning means that a winter storm is already occurring or
imminent. This storm could pose a threat to life and property.
Powdery snow will accumulate quickly.
This statement will be updated by noon akst today or sooner if
conditions warrant.

[Scalphunter]

Yes Dan everything went ok there even tho temperature where well below zero the whole time.  Greenies are all upset that nothing happen so they lost the ammo they where looking for. Tanker crew had to change out one hose section that developed an bubble. Oil transfer was  fast . News said 30-40,000 gallons an minute. It was more like that per hour.

Last heard they are almost clear of the ice.

John

[Scalphunter]

Warning Description: Winter Storm Warning

Warning Date: 4:24 am AKST on January 24, 2012

WarningSum:...Winter Storm Warning In Effect From 6 Pm This Evening To 9 Am
Akst Wednesday...

Warning Message:The National Weather Service in Juneau has issued a Winter Storm
Warning for heavy snow...which is in effect from 6 PM this
evening to 9 am akst Wednesday.
* Snow...8 to 12 inches tonight and Wednesday morning. Snowfall
  rates could exceed 1 inch per hour at times.
* Impacts...travel will be difficult.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A warning means that a winter storm is already occurring or
imminent. This storm could pose a threat to life and property.
Heavy wet snow will be difficult to manage due to high water
content.
This statement will be updated by noon akst Tuesday or sooner if
conditions warrant.


This came thru last night as rain. 1'5 inches in 12 hours on top of snow on the ground. Good thing we got the last of the heavy wet snow off the roof yesterday. Sloweather you can keep the storms there. Lol  they hit there then back up the coast to us. Differet from normal pattern.

John

[Scalphunter]

Going get nasty in Back country

Warning Description: Special Statement

Warning Date: 9:12 PM AKST on January 30, 2012

WarningSum:...Warm And Wet Across The Panhandle Through The Week...

Warning Message:A weather pattern change is ongoing across Southeast Alaska with
warmer conditions along with some strong winds developing late
Wednesday afternoon into Thursday. Freezing level will rise and
range from around 1200 feet over the north central areas to 2200
feet over the southern areas by Tuesday. These freezing levels
will hover around there through most of the week. A series of
weather front will move across the region with rain being dominant
and possibly heavy at times Wednesday night.
The rain on snow/ice covered roads will make travel very hazardous
through the week. Also with most areas across the region with
above normal snow on the ground there maybe areas of ponding water
due to poor drainage by Thursday morning. A strong weather front
will move over the area producing heavy precipitation Wednesday
night into Thursday. The rain will also make snow very hard to
manage due to the increase of water content. People are urged to
clear storm drains of snow to help alleviate the flooding potential.
As the freezing levels rise it will increase the potential for
large avalanches due to high density of snow over less dense snow.
The potential for strong winds on Wednesday night will also
increase the avalanche danger with wind gusts from 40 to 55 mph at
the surface...winds will be much higher in the mountains. People
who venture into the back-country should remain cautious in steep
terrain and in avalanche prone areas.

[Scalphunter]

... High Wind Warning remains in effect until 9 am akst Friday...

* wind... southeast winds increasing to 35 mph with gusts to 65
mph late this afternoon and diminishing Friday morning.

* Timing... strongest winds expected late Thursday night and early
 Friday morning.

* Impacts... high winds can down trees and cause property damage.
 Loose objects may be blown around by the wind.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A warning means that high winds are already occurring or
imminent. These winds could pose a threat to life and property.

Residents are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown
around or damaged by the wind. Be prepared for the potential loss
of power.

This statement will be updated by 1100 PM akst Thursday or sooner
if conditions warrant.



For our area of AK and with this come warm air they are forecast 50 deg tommorrow .Was 46 today and wet.

John