Valdez, AK April Climate Extremes

With April just around the canyon its worth noting that March was on record to be the driest in history til a few days ago. Three weeks of below average temperatures and persistent, gusty northerlies all set by a “Bora” high along the Alaska/Canada Arctic coast. It morphed and moved and now has finally eroded. March 2017 will probably be one of the coldest in recent history once the data is in.

Today we are entering April with typical spring conditions and little chance for high winds and cold temps til next winter. We begin to see more stratus clouds associated with lows and rainy periods more than a freak snow storm.

The chances for snow in Valdez are statistically very good for April with the potential for heavy snow at some time likely. Being spring, any measurable snow will melt rapidly. Our snowpack at sea level will begin to rot while upper elevations of the region will have chances for some powder skiing mixed with corn dependent on aspect and timing.

Snowiest

1999 – 74

1977 – 72

2001 – 56

2013 – 51

1983 – 51

Least Snowiest

2003 – 0

1969 – 0

2007 – T

1978 – 1

1968 – 2

Snowiest 24 hours

1992 – 31

1999 – 27

2011 – 27

1972 – 25

2004 – 22

Wettest(SWE)

1983 – 8.1

1999 – 7.3

1983 – 7.2

1988 – 6.6

1976 – 5.5

Dryest(SWE)

1981 – 0.6

1968 – 0.9

1969 – 1.0

1972 – 1.0

1979 – 1.1

Coldest Temp       Warmest Temp

1972   –     5F          1965   –   68F