KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
Tuesday’s weather map shows a large low pressure system centered over Kodiak Island. National Weather Service graphic
Well, if you thought it felt like an especially rainy Labor Day weekend, you’re right. Two records for rainfall were set in recent days.
On Friday, 2-point-21 inches of rain fell, washing away the old record of 1.47 inches set way back in 1943. Another record was set on Monday, when 1.59 inches of rain fell, eclipsing the record of 1.54 inches set in 1982. Eckert says the two downpours, separated by a reasonably nice day on Saturday, came from separate weather systems.
The bad weather Monday kept the State Ferry Kennicott in port for an extra 24-hours, according to the Alaska Marine Highway System. It sailed for Chenega and points eastward Tuesday morning.
Eckert says rainfall since the beginning of the year is down compared to the norm, and much less than last year, through Monday. The total rainfall since January 1st is 44.49 inches, which is 3.26 inches below normal and nearly nine inches below this date last year when 53.37 inches of rain had fallen.
The National Weather Service forecast for Kodiak is calling for more rain through Wednesday night, with showers into weekend.
