Unalakleet, Alaska has experienced three healthy snowfalls since October, with the most recent being the most abundant. Compared to last year, the snowfall has been cold enough to stay and has not been followed by rain and warm weather. In previous years, storms caused flooding and erosion, warm temperatures made the snow melt, and weather changes made winter travel challenging. Current conditions are cooler and can be viewed on the National Weather Service website.

Observation: Since the first snowfall in October, Unalakleet has had two additional healthy snowfalls each successively more abundant than the one prior. Compared to last year at about the same time, the snowfall occurred with a minimal layering and, several days to about a week later, rain came down followed by a warm spell that lasted for most of the season. The temperature has been within the margins of coolness, with just a slight warmer temperature, but cold enough for the snow to stay.

LEO says: Let’s take a look at observations from the last three years. A storm on November 10, 2013, caused flooding and erosion. Water and power lines were damaged. There was no sea ice and flooding broke up the river. The storms caused erosion and damage to the power and water lines. The follow year, on November 13, 2014, the temperature was 41 degrees Fahrenheit. It was warm for almost a week making the river ice unstable and the snow melted. November of 2015 brought a high rate of change and a lot of weather change during a short time period, making winter travel challenging. December 2015 brought warm temperatures and drizzling rain. This year (2016) the conditions are a bit cooler with the first snow fall starting in October.

Resource: To see the current conditions at Unalakleet (PAUN ), Location - Lat: 63.33 (N) Lon: 160.8 (W) Elv: 20 ft. Once on the website, you may select the 3 day history to view the time frame, wind speed, and visibility, etc., provided by the NWS.