Snow is falling in the interior of Alaska, but it is not very cold. Right now the ambient temperature is around 5 degrees F (-15 C?), and the forecast points to 24 degrees by Tuesday. We have had maybe three days with temperatures of -20 F. this winter, with is not normal by January in Fairbanks, where normal should be -30 and colder.
My brother moved to Kenai last summer and is busy building a (modern) cabin. He’s been complaining about how warm it’s been. 🙂
This is an unusual winter. The forecast for Fairbanks tells that snow should stop falling toward the evening hours. The temperature reached 21º F . January usually is the coldest month of the winter, and temperatures from -20º F to -40 are common. We only had maybe four days (nights) with -24º F this winter). Nights are colder than during the day. I just plowed 6 inches of snow off the two driveways of "our" house (wife and I).
During one blizzard, people joked that they couldn't find a snow plow until March when everything thawed. It felt like that.
You're not alone. We were caught in the February 6 earthquakes while we were sleeping and it was the scariest moment I have ever experienced.It has been relatively warm in the interior of Alaska until a couple of days ago. But there is an "Arctic blast" moving toward the interior (Fairbanks, and vicinity). The forecasts calls for clear days and nights with temperatures of -15º F to -45º F (-26º to -42º C) starting Sunday through next week.
Today we had a 5.3 magnitude earthquake, but there were no reports of damage. It was a little exciting for me and one of the dogs that ran to hide in a bedroom, as I sat on my favorite "couch potato chair." My wife thought that the loud sound and house shaking was from an Army helicopter flying over the house. I started laughing quite loud because she didn't realize it had been a strong ground tremor.
My wife can sleep through thunder, lightning, and an earthquake. In the early '90s we had a 7+ "something" earthquake. I was standing on a tall ladder working on the roof eaves of my house, while she supported the ladder for me. The house and ground were shaking, and the trees swayed back and forth for several seconds as I stepped down from the ladder. I told my wife that it was an earthquake, and she asked, "are you sure, I thought that the wind was making the trees move like that"
Same for my wife's hands and feet. She wears warm mittens outdoors during the winter, and very warm & insulated "slipper socks" indoors. She's very healthy, does not smoke, and is slim (in great shape physically ad emotionally), so the symptoms don't relate to a medical condition. My hands get cold when I am very tired or lack sleep, but that's about it. My wife is full of energy all day
.. been there, did that for a few years back in late-60's. And that's definitely cold!! But so dry. And I actually found it easier to dress for that cold, than the damp cold here, or out east .. endured for more years than I wish to remember!27 January, 2024 at 8:20 PM AK
Fairbanks, Alaska the temperature is -40º (F & C). The weather forecast predicts -45º by 3:00 AM.
Yes, the air is very dry when it this cold, even indoors. The air-exchanger in my house (HRV) manages and adjusts the level of moisture between outdoors and indoors. But since the air is so dry outdoors it barely can maintain the moisture indoors about 12%. Dry air means static electricity building up anywhere that's not grounded.. been there, did that for a few years back in late-60's. And that's definitely cold!! But so dry. And I actually found it easier to dress for that cold, than the damp cold here, or out east .. endured for more years than I wish to remember!
Stay warm!!!
Any moisture emanating from power plants and automobiles turns into fog. wearing outer garments that block wind, and layers of synthetic materials underneath keep you warm. The face, hands or any flesh have to be covered, of course, and roomy winter boots are a must. It's made it to -46º early this morning.
