April 2013 Monthly Weather Summary

Date: May 21, 2013
Contact: Deborah Kurtz, [phone]

Although the below-normal temperatures experienced in March continued into April, the previous precipitation pattern ceased, resulting in little new rain or snow in the Kenai Fjords area. Measurable precipitation was recorded at the Seward airport on only two of the thirty days. Despite very little new precipitation, 50 inches of snow remained on the ground in the Exit Glacier area at the end of the month, the likely result of cool temperatures that impeded snowmelt. Daylight continued to lengthen as Seward gained 3 hours and 33 minutes of daylight over the course of the month.

As recorded at the Seward airport, total precipitation for the month was 0.69 inches (15% of normal), 3.83 inches below the 30-year average (1981-2010) for the month. The monthly average temperature for April was 33.5 degrees F; 5.2 degrees F below the 30-year average. April 8^thwas the windiest day of the month reported at the Seward airport with sustained winds of 23.5 mph and a 5-second wind gust of 47 mph.

Also of note:   

• TheNational Weather Service Climate Prediction Center's three month weather outlook (May-June-July)favors normal temperatures and normal precipitation for the Kenai Fjords area.
• New research from theProceedings of the National Academy of Sciencesindicates that Pacific Oceanpurple sea urchins may be able to adapt well to ocean acidificationthrough genetic change.
• The journalNature Climate Changepublished new research indicating thatreductions in methane, tropospheric ozone, hydrofluorocarbons, and black carbon may slow climate change-induced sea level rise.
• A new study published in the journalNature Climate Changedescribes howdust particles and other aerosols may contribute to amplified climate change in polar regions.
• A new report was released as part of the National Adaptation Forum that provides an overview of activities being implemented tohelp communities prepare for climate changeand identifies needs, challenges and potential actions that communities can take now.
• Researchers at Purdue University have identifiedsunlit snow as the major source of atmospheric bromine in the Arctic (the key to unique chemical reactions that purge pollutants and destroy ozone) indicating that the loss of sea ice will disrupt the balance of atmospheric chemistry in high latitudes.
• The Study for Environmental Arctic Change has produced their first report of the2013 Sea Ice Walrus Outlook (SIWO).
• NOAA climate services portal serves as a single point-of-entry for NOAA's extensive climate information, data, products, services, and the climate science magazineClimateWatch.

Read more to find out about the local climate for April 2013