2017 was a cooler, wetter year than usual for Southeast Alaska, according to National Weather Service data.
Looking back on the weather for 2017, Juneau meteorologist Rick Fritsch summed things up on Tuesday with his annual climatological report. The year began on a blustery note, with high wind warnings issued five times during the month of January. Though the month had started at or below average temperatures, by its end a warm spell presaged a return of rainfall to the region. This carried into February and the climatological end of winter, with high temperatures recorded around Valentine’s Day across multiple locations.
February was on track to set a record low for snow when winter storms pummeled the region toward the month’s end. Snowfall continued through the first half of March, and was unusually late for the winter’s first major snow event. A protracted wind chill and freezing spray affected several inner channels, giving April a wintry start.
This didn’t last long though, with warmer than usual conditions and a dry spell taking over. Several record highs were recorded at this time, increasing by the month’s end. Fritsch noted that May featured a mix of beautiful spring weather and above-normal rains, which resulted in record rainfall for much of the Panhandle from the 20th to the 22nd.
A bizarre last freeze occurred over Memorial Day weekend at several locations, and snowfall in mid-June caused cancellation of the Kluane-Chilkat Bike Relay. Late snowmelt also contributed to flood conditions on several rivers, and excessive rain continuing into July led most locations to reach their normal monthly precipitation before mid-month.
If the summer didn’t feel particularly summery, it was because it wasn’t typical. Record-setting July rainfalls and a lack of warmth set the mood for the season, with a large portion of the central and southern zones never rising above the 60s in temperature. August was also wetter than usual, but a brief return of true summer conditions brought some respite. Overall, the summer was the wettest on record, with a seasonal total registered in Ketchikan at 46.99 inches.
September was mostly normal, Fritsch writes, though more daily precipitation records were set at the month’s end by an atmospheric river event. NOAA describes these as relatively long, narrow regions in the atmosphere that transport most of the water vapor outside the tropics. When they make landfall, atmospheric rivers often release this vapor in the form of rain or snow.
October was nicer and reasonably drier, while November temperatures fell quickly due to a very strong and persistent high pressure center over Western Canada. These conditions contributed to multiple small craft advisories as extended periods of gale force winds permeated much of the northern inner channels. The second half of the month saw greater than average snowfall, though accumulation was well below normal.
As cold as November had been, Fritsch reported December had been that much warmer than normal. Numerous daily high temperature records were set during the first half of the month, with highs across the southern Panhandle topping 60 degrees. Though precipitation would return to normal levels, its manifestation as rain had the downside of melting much of the low elevation snowpack. While a combination of light snow and extensive hoarfrost made it a white Christmas for most, the year closed out with above-normal temperatures and below-average precipitation for December.
No climatological data was available specific to Wrangell itself. Meteorologist Brian Bezenek explained data taken at Point Baker was the closest available site being measured for the National Weather Service, about 48 miles away. Even Petersburg’s data co-op had not had a complete data set this year, and Wrangell has been without a station of its own for nearly six years.
Precipitation at Point Baker was registered at 72.35 inches for the year, about 10 inches above normal. Nineteen inches of this was in the form of snow, which fell mostly in March. This was below average, which historically is 23 inches.
The average temperature for the year was 43.3 degrees, about 0.2 degrees above normal. Highs had been set in August at 72 degrees, with a low point registered in December at 17 degrees.
Wrangell data could again be compiled if a volunteer were to sign up for NWS’ Cooperative Observer Program (COOP). Nationwide, more than 10,000 volunteers take daily observations in the program, which include daily maximum and minimum temperatures, snowfall, and 24-hour precipitation totals.
“If we could find someone to do that then we would be able to start a nice data base in Wrangell,” said Bezenek.
For more information on how to get involved, check out the FAQ page at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/coop/.
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