A Weird Severe Drought Is Affecting Alaska in One of the Wettest U.S. Locations

A severe drought has hit Ketchikan, Alaska, one of the nation's wettest climates located in the southeast Alaskan panhandle for several months. Although it has collected over 96.62 inches of precipitation in 2018 through Dec 10, it is 35.94 inches below average.

In comparison, Wilmington, NC, in particular, has collected 97.75 inches of rain as of December 10, 2018, and is 42.60 inches above average YTD. This surplus is a result of heavy rain pour from Hurricane Florence.

June and July are Ketchikan's driest months, accumulating on average more than 6 inches of rain. More than 10 inches of rain is accumulated during Septemeber through March, and October averages 19.22 inches of precipitation. However, as of December 9, 2018, Ketchikan was experiencing its fourth driest year on record.

A moderate drought was first developed in far southeast Alaska during July, it then intensified into a severe drought by late September. Precipitation fell short of the average mark by 22.08 inches. The source Drought Monitor Report indicates that a severe drought has continued as of Dec. 4, 2018. The drought was likely triggered by a dominant high pressure in the upper atmosphere, which blocked moisture-laden storm systems from having an impact this region during the summer into the fall season; which caused precipitation deficits and drought.

Important to note, the drought has caused Ketchikan to have to switch to supplemental diesel fuel for power instead of their cheaper, renewable energy supply.

Source: The Weather Channel https://weather.com/news/climate/news/2018-12-11-weird-drought-alaska-ketchikan-wet-climate

Source: Drought Monitor Report https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Maps/MapArchive.aspx

Photo Credit: The Weather Channel