2008 Year in Review - Fairbanks
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2008 Year in Review - Fairbanks
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| Summer rains, a nice autumn, and a cold end to the year highlight 2008 |
2008 Statistics
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| Heavy mid-summer rains with local flooding, a beautiful autumn, and a chilly end of the year were just some of the weather highlights for Fairbanks in 2008. The average temperature for the year was about one degree below normal at 25.8°F. Precipitation totaled 14.05 inches, thanks in large part to heavy summer rainfall, which is nearly 4 inches more than normal for the annual total. Snowfall for the calendar year totaled 68.6 inches, which is right about average for Fairbanks. Temperatures at the airport went below -40°F on 11 days throughout the year, and on 6 days, the high temperature climbed above 80°F. Heating degree days totaled 14310 units - about 30 units more than normal. Wide temperature swings occurred during the first several months of the year, a phenomenon that is certainly characteristic of winter in Fairbanks. For example, during the first half of February, a string of eight days occurred in which the low was at or below -40°F; though a dramatic warm-up subsequently followed with temperatures above freezing. The Jan-Feb-Mar snowfall total of 21.2 inches was near normal for this part of the winter, though in April the snowfall totaled 14.7 inches and ranks as third highest April snow on record. The water equivalent precipitation was also third highest on record for April with 1.27 inches. On the 30th, 3.8 inches of snow fell at the airport, breaking the record for that date. The seasonal snowpack melted by May 1st in town and greenup came about two weeks later on May 11th. Overall, this spring month had quite seasonable temperatures and the last freeze of the winter ushered in the start of the growing season on May 30th. The summer months of June, July, and August were all wetter than normal, and only June was warmer than normal, but only by half a degree. Heavy rains came in late July and made for the 5th wettest on record. Daily rainfall amounts of 1.14 and 0.77 inches on the 28th and 29th both set new records. Flooding was reported in low-lying neighborhoods around town and Alaska Railroad service was disrupted. More of the same continued during the first half of August with rain and cooler weather, though the second half of the month warmed up and seasonal temperatures remained through much of September. The end of the growing season occurred on September 21st with the first frost, making for a 113 day season - right about average. The first measurable snowfall of the season occurred on the 27th, though the seasonal snowpack was not established in town until October 13th. Temperatures throughout October averaged well below normal in what was the fourth coldest on record. The trend of cooler temperatures continued to the end of the year and November and December were also drier than normal with a deficit of almost 10 inches of snow by the end of 2008. The end of the year also ushered in the start of what was to be a two week cold snap for Fairbanks, and much of the entire state of Alaska. |
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Click on the images for a larger view.
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| Questions or comments? Please contact the Alaska Climate Research Center. Preliminary climatological data are used for this summary. Please report any errors found to the Climate Center Posted: 22 January, 2009 |
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