Cold Month
Fairbanks began February on the cold side with lows dipping below the -40 degrees F mark during the first week, but temperatures moderated for the balance of the month. The average temperature for the month was -2.4 degrees F, a positive departure of 1.4 degree. The low for the month of -43 degrees F occurred on both the 2nd and 3rd and the high of 32 degrees F was reported on Valentines Day. Precipitation was about 70% of normal for the month with just a quarter of an inch water equivalence. Snowfall totaled 4.5 inches, which was 3 inches less than normal. Snow depth at the airport was 23 inches at the end of the month. Quoted from the Alaska Climate Research Center.
Forty Below
Sometimes we talk about the weather in general terms, like saying "It's forty below outside." Well, it's not general terms this morning, it is really forty below --forty-two below to be exact. This time last year it got up to zero for the high. I shouldn't complain, though. The record low temperature for this date is fifty-eight below zero F. The record high is thirty-nine above, not in the same year, of course. ;)
Tuesday night we picked up Todd and gave him a ride across town. While we were out, we decided to stop by the store. Some areas are very foggy where the exhaust hangs in the air. Other areas were clear. Any area by a body of water, creek, stream, river, or lake is especially foggy. The cooling ponds at Ft. Wainwright make the highway very foggy. The power plant downtown also discharges warm water into the Chena River so that section never completely freezes over.
Snow
At the start of February, 23 inches of snow is on the ground. Everything is white and with the cold temperatures, the trees are crystal palaces.
Record High is 43 F.
Record Low is -57 F.
