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Southcentral Alaska's climate is mild, sometimes wet

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The climate of Southcentral Alaska -- the region encompassing Anchorage, Seward, Homer, Prince William Sound and Wrangell-St. Elias -- is mild, at least by Alaska standards. The temperatures are moderated by the Gulf of Alaska, and the truly cold winds of the north are often blocked by the Alaska and Talkeetna mountain ranges.

Southcentral Alaska doesn't get as much rain as Southeast Alaska, but it gets a lot more snow. On the other hand, it has a lot more clear days.

When moisture-laden air blowing off the Gulf of Alaska meets the chilly Alaska, Chugach, Talkeetna, Wrangell and St. Elias ranges, precipitation happens. In July, August and September, especially along the Gulf coast, rain falls. In the winter, there's lots of snow. This is often most apparent along Prince William Sound. Valdez, for example, averages 303 inches -- 25 feet -- a year, and Whittier gets 250 inches.

Although so much snow requires shoveling and plowing in town, it's beloved by skiers and snowmachiners. Snow in the mountains feeds the glaciers and the myriad streams that salmon come home to. Snow and rain also nurture the lush coastal forests.

Blocked from the Gulf by mountains, Anchorage's official measuring station at the international airport gets only 70 inches.

The snow near sea level generally melts away by early May. When termination dust -- the first coating of mountaintop snow -- falls in late August or early September, Alaskans know winter isn't far away.

Summer sunlight in Anchorage lasts 19.5 hours at the June solstice. At the winter solstice, daylight lasts 5.5 hours.

Here are monthly averages -- high temperature, low temperature, precipitation (inches of rain and melted snow), snowfall and snow depth for Southcentral locations: Alyeska (Girdwood), Anchorage, Chitina, Cordova, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Glen Alps (Anchorage), Glennallen, Homer, Hope, Kenai, McCarthy, Moose Pass, Nabesna, Nikiski, Palmer, Seward, Skwentna, Talkeetna, Thompson Pass, Valdez, Wasilla and Whittier.

ALYESKA

(Resort in Girdwood, south of Anchorage on Seward Highway)

Period of record: 11/7/1963 to 12/31/2000

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
44.2	29.6	67.79	195.5

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	25.4	28.9	35.0	43.4	52.9	61.2	65.0	62.7	54.4	41.1	32.0	28.3
Min temp	13.9	16.2	19.8	27.7	35.8	43.4	48.0	46.2	39.0	28.1	20.5	17.0
Precip- tation	7.82	5.44	4.82	5.23	3.68	2.30	2.58	4.58	8.07	7.82	6.51	8.94
Snow- fall	29.6	32.3	32.5	12.3	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	13.1	27.2	48.3
Snow depth	25	32	36	25	3	0	0	0	0	2	7	19

ANCHORAGE

(Northern Cook Inlet, adjacent to Chugach Mountains)
Period of record: 4/1/1952 to 12/31/2000

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
42.9	28.9	15.71	70.6

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	21.4	25.6	32.9	43.5	54.8	62.3	65.2	63.2	55.0	40.3	27.9	22.4
Min temp	8.1	11.3	17.3	28.5	38.7	47.3	51.4	49.4	41.3	28.2	15.9	9.7
Precip- tation	0.74	0.83	0.61	0.55	0.68	1.02	1.87	2.70	2.63	1.89	1.10	1.08
Snow- fall	9.6	12.1	9.2	4.9	0.2	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.3	8.0	11.5	14.9
Snow depth	10	11	9	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	4	8

CHITINA

(On Richardson Highway west of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park)
Period of record: 8/16/1950 to 5/30/1971

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
38.8	18.4	10.69	22.7

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	0.1	17.4	32.0	44.6	56.9	65.1	67.2	63.9	55.8	38.7	17.9	6.2
Min temp	-17.1	-4.2	5.1	23.3	34.1	43.1	46.9	43.4	34.9	20.4	2.5	-11.1
Precip- tation	0.56	0.98	0.32	0.17	0.36	0.59	1.22	1.14	1.34	1.11	1.30	1.62
Snow- fall	3.0	6.2	2.2	0.3	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.3	5.4	4.3
Snow depth	1	11	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	7

CORDOVA

(Fishing port on eastern side of Prince William Sound)
Period of record: 9/1/1949 to 12/31/2000

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
46.2	30.8	92.89	118.8

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	30.8	34.7	38.2	44.8	52.2	58.2	61.4	61.4	56.0	46.6	37.2	32.6
Min temp	15.2	18.7	21.4	28.9	36.1	43.0	46.8	45.6	40.1	32.1	23.5	18.7
Precip- tation	6.15	6.46	5.57	5.50	6.09	5.11	6.23	9.11	13.77	12.24	8.02	8.64
Snow- fall	21.1	20.9	24.4	11.6	0.9	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	2.9	11.3	25.7
Snow depth	8	10	11	5	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	5

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE

(North side of Anchorage)
Period of record: 6/2/1951 to 9/30/1997

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
42.1	28.6	16.15	77.0

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	19.2	24.4	32.4	43.5	54.5	61.8	64.8	63.1	54.6	39.2	27.0	20.9
Min temp	5.7	9.6	16.5	28.8	39.4	47.8	52.1	49.9	41.6	27.6	15.3	8.6
Precip- tation	0.86	0.94	0.74	0.57	0.61	1.07	2.10	2.58	2.42	1.78	1.19	1.30
Snow- fall	10.5	12.9	9.0	4.8	0.2	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.2	9.6	13.4	16.5
Snow depth	12	13	11	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	4	9

GLEN ALPS

(Gateway to Chugach State Park on the Anchorage Hillside)
Period of record: 1/28/1971 to 12/31/2000

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
40.2	26.6	27.55	168.2

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	26.3	26.9	31.2	38.1	47.0	55.6	58.4	56.9	48.9	37.1	29.1	26.4
Min temp	12.8	11.9	16.3	24.0	33.7	41.0	45.4	43.8	36.4	24.5	16.2	13.5
Precip- tation	2.07	1.91	1.69	1.32	1.14	1.50	2.34	3.32	4.26	3.05	2.27	2.70
Snow- fall	23.5	25.3	24.6	12.6	2.7	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.3	17.8	25.7	34.7
Snow depth	42	51	54	43	5	0	0	0	0	3	11	29

GLENNALLEN

(Crossroads of Tok Cutoff, Richardson Highway, Glenn Highway)
Period of record: 12/16/1965 to 10/31/2000

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
39.0	13.6	11.14	52.2

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	3.7	15.2	30.1	44.1	57.4	67.2	70.5	66.5	55.3	35.9	14.8	7.3
Min temp	-17.9	-10.8	-0.6	17.5	29.4	38.8	42.8	38.6	30.0	15.0	-5.5	-14.0
Precip- tation	0.53	0.57	0.35	0.21	0.52	1.47	1.68	1.67	1.18	1.00	0.69	1.26
Snow- fall	7.3	7.3	4.4	2.5	0.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.5	8.5	9.7	11.5
Snow depth	13	17	14	5	0	0	0	0	0	2	6	12

HOMER

(Southern Kenai Peninsula, end of Sterling Highway)
Period of record: 9/1/1932 to 12/31/2000

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
44.4	30.5	24.65	54.9

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	28.9	31.9	35.8	43.0	50.5	57.1	60.8	60.5	54.8	44.3	35.1	29.8
Min temp	16.3	18.5	21.4	28.8	35.5	41.9	46.0	45.8	40.1	31.0	22.8	17.8
Precip- tation	2.26	1.74	1.61	1.22	1.04	0.99	1.57	2.52	3.03	3.16	2.73	2.78
Snow- fall	9.6	11.3	9.2	2.9	0.3	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	2.1	7.4	12.1
Snow depth	4	5	5	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	4

HOPE

(Northern Kenai Peninsula along Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet)
Period of record: 3/1/1979 to 4/30/1995

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
45.1	28.4	22.15	39.5

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	26.6	28.0	36.0	45.2	56.7	64.2	66.5	64.2	55.6	41.9	30.1	26.0
Min temp	12.8	12.6	19.4	27.0	35.2	42.9	48.3	46.1	38.6	28.1	17.0	12.7
Precip- tation	1.98	1.43	1.20	0.74	0.62	1.09	1.95	2.53	3.28	2.68	2.10	2.57
Snow- fall	13.6	15.1	11.3	3.3	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.1	5.7	17.8	22.7
Snow depth	11	12	11	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	4	10

KENAI

(Western Kenai Peninsula along Kenai River and Sterling Highway)
Period of record: 9/3/1949 to 12/31/2000

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
41.9	25.5	19.21	61.3

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	20.4	26.1	32.6	42.3	52.5	58.3	61.7	61.5	55.0	41.7	29.2	22.1
Min temp	3.3	7.0	12.8	26.0	35.3	42.7	47.3	45.8	38.8	27.2	13.9	6.4
Precip- tation	1.05	1.00	0.91	0.74	0.95	1.19	1.94	2.68	3.30	2.44	1.57	1.43
Snow- fall	9.5	10.4	8.6	3.5	0.3	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.1	4.8	10.3	13.8
Snow depth	12	13	12	4	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	8

McCARTHY

(Hub of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park)
Period of record: 1/1/1984 to 12/31/2000

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
41.3	16.4	18.37	67.0

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	7.5	19.9	34.0	47.3	59.6	68.5	71.7	66.2	55.4	36.9	15.9	12.1
Min temp	-9.7	-3.9	3.7	20.5	29.3	36.8	40.7	37.7	30.8	17.5	-2.0	-4.8
Precip- tation	1.05	0.99	0.43	0.22	0.78	1.85	2.23	2.56	3.01	2.09	1.15	2.01
Snow- fall	12.5	9.7	4.8	1.8	0.2	0.0	0.0	0.0	3.1	10.9	11.4	12.5
Snow depth	16	21	22	12	0	0	0	0	0	2	8	12

MOOSE PASS

(North of Seward on Kenai Peninsula)
Period of record: 4/1/1952 to 12/31/2000

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
44.5	26.2	28.48	82.6

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	21.5	27.2	36.2	44.4	54.4	63.2	66.5	64.7	55.2	41.9	31.2	27.0
Min temp	4.6	9.9	15.0	25.8	33.5	41.3	45.8	44.6	37.9	27.4	17.0	11.3
Precip- tation	1.89	2.46	1.24	1.05	1.40	0.83	1.45	2.76	4.92	4.31	3.07	3.11
Snow- fall	14.3	16.0	11.4	4.3	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.1	4.4	11.8	20.2
Snow depth	12	16	15	7	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	10

NABESNA

(North side of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park)
Period of record: 10/1/1967 to 12/31/2000

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
34.1	14.3	11.73	53.9

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	-0.2	9.2	24.7	40.1	53.4	63.0	65.5	61.5	49.9	28.6	9.7	3.6
Min temp	-13.3	-7.5	1.3	15.7	30.1	38.8	42.5	38.5	27.9	12.3	-5.2	-9.6
Precip- tation	0.33	0.42	0.15	0.29	0.83	2.55	2.84	1.77	1.14	0.51	0.48	0.42
Snow- fall	5.5	6.0	3.4	3.5	5.7	0.6	0.0	0.3	3.5	9.2	9.1	6.9
Snow depth	15	16	15	9	1	0	0	0	0	3	8	12

NIKISKI

(Port north of Kenai on Kenai Peninsula, gateway to Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
Period of record: 6/1/1967 to 1/31/1978

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
42.2	27.5	17.89	33.0

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	20.6	28.7	31.7	40.3	51.0	57.4	61.7	61.5	55.4	42.7	31.0	24.0
Min temp	4.8	10.7	13.4	25.2	36.0	43.9	48.9	48.6	41.2	30.3	17.3	10.2
Precip- tation	0.61	1.07	0.68	0.97	0.99	1.10	1.26	2.59	3.13	2.48	1.86	1.14
Snow- fall	1.9	6.8	4.5	4.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.9	4.5	9.4
Snow depth	11	14	6	6	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	8

PALMER

(Northeast of Anchorage on Glenn Highway, home of state fair)
Period of record: 9/1/1949 to 4/30/1998

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
43.9	26.5	15.25	57.6

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	20.6	26.3	34.3	45.7	57.2	64.6	66.7	64.2	56.3	41.4	27.6	21.9
Min temp	4.8	9.1	15.5	27.5	37.0	45.0	48.4	46.4	39.1	25.8	12.7	6.8
Precip- tation	0.87	0.76	0.64	0.50	0.70	1.33	2.10	2.28	2.42	1.53	1.03	1.09
Snow- fall	9.0	10.1	7.9	3.0	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	5.7	8.9	12.8
Snow depth	5	5	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	5

SEWARD

(Fishing, cargo, cruise port in southern Kenai Peninsula, on Resurrection Bay)
Period of record: 9/1/1949 to 12/31/2000

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
45.4	34.0	66.58	80.7

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	29.9	32.4	37.1	44.3	51.9	58.3	62.2	61.8	55.3	44.5	35.8	31.4
Min temp	20.1	21.7	25.3	31.9	38.8	45.3	49.9	49.4	43.7	34.4	26.5	21.7
Precip- tation	5.78	5.32	3.76	3.91	4.16	2.31	2.55	5.19	10.11	9.41	6.80	7.26
Snow- fall	14.9	17.8	12.5	5.8	0.3	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.7	7.3	20.4
Snow depth	6	8	7	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	4

SKWENTNA

(Iditarod Trail settlement along Skwentna River)
Period of record: 9/1/1949 to 12/31/2000

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