Climate Watch

By Rick Thoman Alaska Climate Specialist Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy International Arctic Research Center/University of Alaska Fairbanks

April is the time of year when the increasing amount of solar energy really starts to boost temperatures and to melt the winter snowpack. At Nome the daily average temperature increases by 14 degrees from the start of the month to the end, compared to only a four degree increase in March.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center outlook for April favors neither above nor below normal temperatures for the month. Remember this does not mean that near normal temperatures are expected, but that there aren’t solid indications to suggest an unusually warm April is more or less likely than an unusually cold April.

Over the past 116 years, temperatures in Nome during April have ranged from -30°F in 1918 and 1968 to 60°F in 1940, though temperatures have dipped into the 20s below in April only twice in the past 30 years.

April is also the month when the typical temperature difference reverses across western Alaska. During winter, temperatures, not counting wind chill, are typically lower in eastern Norton Sound than on St. Lawrence Island, but starting in April and lasting until October, the Bering Strait is typically cooler than areas farther east.

The Climate Prediction Center outlook for April precipitation slightly favors significantly above normal totals for the month. April is tied with March for the lowest average monthly precipitation (melted snow plus rain).

Since November 2022, Nome has received far above normal precipitation — in the top five in the past century. The water content in the snowpack is above normal on most of the Seward Peninsula, and in some areas west of Golovin is way above normal. Excess precipitation this month would only increase potential runoff problems next month. Strong storms with snow and blowing snow are less common in April than in March but can still occur, most anywhere early in the month and through April to the west of Nome.