February 23, 2011
2011 Arctic Expedition – Typical February Weather
The weather on the expedition has warmed up considerably from the –94 F reported in the previous post, but that doesn’t mean the conditions are any less exciting!
Joe and our malamutes have been getting slammed with back-to-back blizzards. This is typical February weather in Alaska’s Arctic. A few years back, Joe was holed up at camp for 13 days straight because of several consecutive blizzards.
Here’s tonight’s weather report and current map from the National Weather Service…
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631 PM AKST WED FEB 23 2011
…BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST FRIDAY NIGHT…
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FAIRBANKS HAS ISSUED A BLIZZARD WARNING…WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST FRIDAY NIGHT.
BLIZZARD CONDITIONS ARE NOW OCCURRING WITH SOUTH WINDS 30 TO 40 MPH. CONDITIONS MAY IMPROVE SLIGHTLY DURING THE DAY THURSDAY BUT WILL GET WORSE AGAIN THURSDAY NIGHT AND CONTINUE THROUGH FRIDAYNIGHT AS A SECOND STORM MOVES ACROSS THE AREA.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…A BLIZZARD WARNING MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. BLOWING SNOW WITH STRONG WINDS AND EXTREMELY POOR VISIBILITIES WILL CAUSE WHITEOUT CONDITIONS AND MAKE ANY TRAVEL OR OUTDOOR ACTIVITY HAZARDOUS.
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…BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST FRIDAY NIGHT…
.TONIGHT…SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WITH BLIZZARD CONDITIONS. SNOW ACCUMULATION 1 TO 3 INCHES. LOWS 5 TO 15 ABOVE. SOUTH WINDS 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH.
.THURSDAY…SNOW. BLOWING SNOW WITH VISIBILITY NEAR ZERO AT TIMES. SNOW ACCUMULATION 1 TO 3 INCHES. HIGHS 20 TO 35 ABOVE. SOUTH WINDS 20 MPH WITH LOCAL GUSTS TO 40 MPH.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WITH BLIZZARD CONDITIONS. STORM TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATION 3 TO 7 INCHES. LOWS 15 TO 20 ABOVE. SOUTH WINDS 30 MPH WITH LOCAL GUSTS TO 50 MPH.
.FRIDAY…SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW LIKELY WITH BLIZZARD CONDITIONS POSSIBLE. HIGHS 15 TO 25 ABOVE. SOUTHWEST WINDS 30 TO 40 MPH.
.FRIDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS ZERO TO 15 BELOW. WEST WINDS AROUND 15 MPH.
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The weather in March should be much nicer!! 
- Kit
I hate to admit I spent the day working outside in the yard, wearing shorts!
Sending warm thoughts to Joe and the dogs!
How are you feeling?
Take Care,
Kit
- Hi Kit. Thanks…I’ll tell Joe you said so next time he calls with the satellite phone. I’m feeling great and am enjoying some serious nesting! I’ve been tearing the house apart and putting it back together again. I get a good laugh at myself if nothing else!
- Carolyn Schlick
I’m on vacation in warm Acapulco, Mexico telling my friend and her husband about our adventure with Joe a few years ago. Her husband may want to try a trip sometime but she says no way. They’re both impressed with the stamina and dedication of Joe, Andrea and the whole team. Keep on exploring Joe and I hope you’re feeling well Andrea.
Take Care,
Carolyn
- Kit
Hey Andrea,
I’ve been thinking about you with all the snow and now cold again.
Hope you’re doing well. Happy Nesting!
Hugs and belly rubs to pups,
Kit
- http://e410.wordpress.com Just Run With It
I love how “lows zero to 15 below” is warm(er) to you! You crazy, crazy Alaskans!
