Strong gap winds along Range

Strong gap winds along Range

One more year behind us like all the water under the bridge in life.  2017 was an bit different  but one manages to adapt.  from 51 below in January to 93 above in June.  Yes it can get a bit warm here in summer without night temps to cool down the air.  24 hour daylight  keeps thing warm.

The year in weather we saw  -40 with the Davis  before it  stopped transmitting as the electronics in the ISS shut down.  had to go to my old  back up  to get temps.  During that cold snap  we hit-51 as the  cool down at sun rise has an trend to do.  Mid  June  before the Solstice  we hit 93 deg. that an 144 degree differential for those who keep track. Not many places see that kind of temperature swing.

The highest barometer reading was also in January  @ 31.71 in/hg. and in February we hit the lowest reading of 28.65 in/hg.   I have seen lower reading  along the coast in SEAK  but for the interior  that my record low so far.

So much for the recap. Today  has been kind oh an hoe hum day in between  down slope winds. Yesterday we had  gust  up to 30 mph  before  things died down.  No much loose snow left as the wind drifted the  last snow fall away. Now it down to  blowing  ice shards around and  it can get to be like an sand blaster as it moves those fine grains of ice across the surface.

Tuesday  sounds like going to be another round  of wind reading the  forecast discussion of which I added an  insert of it in the  blog.

Central and Eastern Interior…Very strong Gap winds will be
developing in the Alaska Range with a strong Tanana Valley Jet
persisting. The Tanana Valley Jet is already bringing gusty winds
to the Flats south of Fairbanks from Delta Junction to Nenana.
Winds increasing in the Eastern Alaska Range late this evening and
in Central Alaska Range by Tuesday morning. Winds gusting to 80
mph are expected in the Alaska Range with gusts to 55 mph around
Delta Junction. The strong downslope winds will also produce
strong winds around the Robertson River and Tanacross with gusts
around 40 mph. Gusty northeast winds will develop along the Dalton
highway from Livengood to Coldfoot, and the Elliott Highway from
Livengood to the Minto Turnoff that will produce blowing and
drifting snow that may impact travel in those areas. With the
strong downslope in the Alaska Range, precipitation will be
limited from Fairbanks south with only a few flurries or a
sprinkle expected as the front moves through. As the front moves
north precipitation will develop with snowfall amounts of around 2
inches possible, mainly north of the Yukon River. Temperatures
warming with highs in the 20s and lows in the teens Tuesday and
Wednesday.

 

An  1024 mb high has parked itself over Dawson, YT  and will remain there for an few days  with it temps will  be mild till the 850 mb level  drops in temps as the southly flow changes around.  It is expected to drop below -10 later this week.  If  those of you who are interested in your forecast discussion  it is available at your local NWS  office. It cover the entire atmosphere in your  area and goes in depth that  your local weather does not.

 

Keep warm  and safe   and yes I chuckle a bit  as I listen to all the hype  on the news channels  about the  lower 48 cold. yep that  is normal for  us here during the winter.

Keep an log on the fire and light in the window.

John

Little something to read about life at minus 40

http://www.farnorthscience.com/2008/01/07/ak-sci-forum/the-physics-of-life-at-40-below/

3 thoughts on “Strong gap winds along Range

  1. Great report John. Will read that link on living through -40 later. I read forecast discussions frequently, always great in-depth reading. We have a coastal storm expected to develop this week along the East Coast but it looks now it will track out too far east in the Atlantic Ocean to give us anything more than a few clouds on Wednesday. It will bring a reinforcing shot of cold air, however on its backside as it tracks NE. Happy New Year! Kevin

    1. It easy with the Chain being in the 40’s and Ketchikan area can be around 50 this time of year for day time high. Tuesday we hit 37 here from south winds and down slope heating

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