The regular temperature in Alaska is about 38 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius) but the weather will change during seasons or months. The chart below plots the average monthly precipitation amount. The region experienced record-breaking heat and record-dry conditions. The average daily relative humidity for December is around 84%. As a storm approaches our area from the west, the wind sets in from the southeast and builds in intensity. Calm winds (no direction) in Cold Bay are observed only 2% of the time. The information presented below gives detailed historical monthly average weather conditions along with exceptional weather occurrences. The Alaska Stream appears to have been relatively diffuse on the south side of the eastern Aleutian Islands (p. 40). The strong influence of the marine environment dampens the temperature extremes and daily and seasonal variations. Their color variations are probably due to differences in temperature and in the size of water droplets that make up the clouds. If the storm center passes to the south of Unimak, there is a backing wind shift, from SE to E, to NE and finally NW. The average monthly amount of precipitation has been recorded at around 102 mm, that's 4 inches. During the winter, it is located farther south, and is large, semi-permanent, and most intense. The Aleutian Low is one of the principal causal factors of the weather and climate in the Unimak region. James Estes, now an emeritus professor at the University of California Santa Cruz, has been studying the Aleutian Islands since 1970. From this a comfort level is calculated providing categories on how heat conditions might adversely affect someone. The average temperature difference between July and January is only about 10 degrees F. The moderating influence of the marine environment is the primary reason for this small temperature difference. The strongest of these storms may make their way to the west coast of North American during the winter and then move across the mid section of the U.S.. The Aleutian Island is mostly cone volcano’s and some are still activate, but only on one side of the Island not all of the volcano’s can still activate. Pilot Point, Aleutian Islands, Alaska weather conditions, average/minimum/maximum temperature, humidity variation graphs. Weather forecasts for the Unimak area can be accessed on the Internet here. Shemya or Simiya (Aleut: Samiyax̂) is a small island in the Semichi Islands group of the Near Islands chain in the Aleutian Islands archipelago southwest of Alaska, at CoordinatesIt has a land area of 5.903 sq mi (15.29 km 2), and is about 1,200 miles (1,900 km) southwest of Anchorage, Alaska.It is 2.73 miles (4.39 km) wide and 4.32 miles (6.95 km) long. The 7 day weather forecast summary for Aleutian Islands: For Aleutian Islands in the … The Aleutian Low is one of the principal causal factors of the weather and climate in the Unimak region. Storms over the Central Aleutian Islands will bring warm air up from the south as well as rain to the islands Monday into Tuesday. The average annual temperature for the inhabited islands is about 38 °F in January and 52 °F in August. Precipitation in the Unimak area occurs in all months of the year, there is no dry season. This means that the winds will change direction and intensity as a low pressure storm passes by. This image was acquired by the Landsat 7 satellite on June 16, 2000. The area of sea ice in the Bering Sea is plotted on the graph to the right, from the year 1979 to mid-April 2012. “In the early years, it was a very different place,” Estes said. Like this location? Given the small landmass, the human footprint is quite large — the region is ranked 5th out of the 13 regions for human impacts. Power et al. Weather forecast for Aleutian Islands Meteogram for Aleutian Islands Tuesday 05:00 to Thursday 05:00 Long term forecast for Aleutian Islands The forecast shows the expected weather and precipitation for the afternoon hours. Then, if the storm passes by to the north of Unimak, the winds veer towards the southwest and then west, and as the storm leaves the area, winds blow from the northwest and then start diminishing. The "Cradle of the Storms" is the colloquial name for the Aleutian Low area because this is the stormiest area in the north Pacific.2  These cyclonic storms generally travel eastward along the Aleutians in the zone of the westerly winds. The temperature and wind forecast is for 12 noon. 1995). The graph to the right shows the mean wind direction frequency in % for Cold Bay, the nearest reporting station. The Heat Index is a measure of how hot it feels when relative humidity is added to actual air temperature. An old Aleut saying is:  "The wind is not a river." characteristics of climate variability that may pertain to the climate hypothesis regarding the long-term population decline of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). Even though global warming would suggest a reduced ice pack in 2012, the ice area is an anomalous record high for the period that began in 1979. If the storm center passes to the south of Unimak, there is a backing windshift, starting with southeast, then backing to east, northeast and finally northwest as the storm center moves away. The Aleutian Islands experience oceanic climate with heavy rainfall and moderate temperatures. J.A. The summers are relatively quieter, but even then gale force winds usually occur. This means that the Unimak Area is generally free from winter incursions of cold air from the Alaska mainland and only occasionally does cold Siberian area make its way across the Bering Sea to the Aleutian Islands, although in particularly cold winters this does happen. The climate profile is taken from closest available data source to Aleutian Islands. The islands experience a maritime climate. Scientists have linked sea urchins, otters and climate change to the destruction of reefs in the Aleutian Islands in a new study published in Science. When he first visited Amchitka Island, he could count anywhere from 50 to 300 sea otters from the shore. King Cove City, Aleutian Islands current conditions, weather forecast and climate chart (temperature and humidity). The Aleutian Low's location and intensity is shown in the above three maps in relation to the stationary North Pacific High that lies to the south. An intense low-pressure storm system packing strong winds and massive waves is expected to move over the Bering Sea and through the Aleutian Islands of Alaska this weekend, weather … Its position and size can be shown to be correlated with major indices such as ENSO, and in this manner it conveniently represents a mechanism for assessing impacts from teleconnection patterns."1. Since travel and work at sea depends upon favorable wind conditions, wind direction will determine where a fisherman can fish or where he can travel by sea. Generally, larger islands receive more precipitation than smaller ones, and coastal areas more than inland areas. A total of 110 culverts are known, of which 49% have or likely to have fish passage problems. of Atmospheric Sciences. The Aleutian low is "A region of generally low pressure located near the Aleutian Islands, where sub-polar cyclones reach their maximum intensity. Certain bays, like Urilia Bay, become unfishable during times of strong westerly winds. If the storm center passes to the north of Unimak, there is a veering wind shift from SE, to SW, to W, to NW as the storm moves by. According to the Köppen climate classification system, the area southwest of 53°30′N 167°00′W / 53.5°N 167.0°W on Unalaska Island have a "Subpolar Oceanic Climate" (type "Cfc" as are Reykjavík, Tórshavn, Punta Arenas, U… This work is being done at the University of Illinois/Urbana-Champaign at the Polar Research Group/ Dept. Aleutian Islands, chain of islands that separate the Bering Sea (north) from the main portion of the Pacific Ocean (south). The Aleutian Low storm tracks are shown in the map to the right. The Aleutian Islands (/əˈluːʃən/;Russian: Алеутские острова; Aleut: Tanam Unangaa, literally "Land of the Aleuts", possibly from Chukchi aliat, "island"), also called the Aleut Islands or Aleutic Islands The Aleutian Low is found in the area where the relatively warm waters of the south meet the colder waters to the north. 23 November 2020 at 20:00-21:00: Rain, Temperature 7, 0.5 mm, Gale, 18 m/s from south Southwest winds are also infrequent, but when they occur they can have great intensity. Compared to neighboring regions, the Alaska Peninsula / Aleutian Islands region is categorized by a cooler, drier climate. Easterly winds are relatively uncommon. Temperatures range from average lows of -7O°C to -20°C in winter to average highs of 10°C to 13°C in summer (Gallant et al. Make it a Weather Favorite! On average the month of December is affected by foggy conditions on 16 days. Wind gusts over 50 MPH occur 3 or more days per month for 7 months of the year. The chart below plots the average number of days in any month that you can expect to see snow falling. The wind direction is very important to local fishermen and mariners. Make it a Weather Favorite! The wettest time of the year is September through December. This creates a large band of atmospheric instability with rising moist air that stretches from the Kamchatka Peninsula in the west and all the Aleutian Islands chain. During the summer, it is located farther north, and is small and impermanent to nonexistent. Their website on "The Cryosphere Today" can be accessed here and it contains the most up-to-date information on ice in the Bering Sea, the Beaufort Sea and other world sea ice areas. Precipitation falls in every month of the year but is heaviest August through December, as seen in the graph on the right. This is also the zone where the colder air from the subarctic meets the warmer moist air to the south. It also shows the maximum and minimum recorded temperatures. The climate of the islands is oceanic, with moderate and fairly uniform temperatures and heavy rainfall. This feature also encompasses non-stationary systems of both low and high pressure (cyclones and anticyclones) that form and dissipate along fronts and rapidly move in a broad sub-polar band of west-to-east flowing air currents widely known as the prevailing westerlies. To maintain relevance to current weather trends the displayed information has been calculated using data collected over the past two decades. The Maximum wind gust during this period was 83 MPH, but every month had gusts of 60 MPH or over. The Aleutian Low shifts position and changes in intensity with the seasons. By Tuesday morning, low-pressure storms originating from over Siberia (Russia) quickly push east and combine with some of the storms over the Aleutian Islands. In 1970, Jim Estes made his first trek up to Alaska’s Aleutian Islands.He was greeted by an ocean filled with furry faces. King Cove City, Aleutian Islands weather conditions, average/minimum/maximum temperature, humidity variation graphs. Bad weather reigns, the wind and rain conspiring to create the perfect conditions for hypothermia. A powerful storm swirled through the Aleutian Islands of Alaska this week, providing incredible satellite images and producing wind gusts near hurricane force. Lows in the mid 30s. The following charts show yearly weather trends with information on monthly weather averages and extremes. ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — An explosive storm surpassing the intensity of 2012's Superstorm Sandy is expected to reach Alaska's western Aleutian Islands over … These cloud formations were seen over the western Aleutian Islands. In recent years the maximum sustained wind speed has reached 96 km/h, that’s the equivalent of around 60 mph, or 52 knots. The map shows that the weaker Aleutian Lows (AL) often move into the western Bering Sea. The chart below plots the average high and low temperature for each month of the year. The two primary wind directions the year around for the Unimak area are southeast and its opposite, northwest. The average annual rainfall is about 80 inches (2,000 mm), and Unalaska, with about 250 rainy days per … A deep-draft vessel that intends to come within 3 nautical miles of the Aleutian or Pribilof Islands and anchor to avoid severe weather shall notify the Coast Guard as soon as practicable in accordance with 33 CFR 160.215: CONTACT INFORMATION: An active weather pattern will impact the U.S. this weekend into next week. Wind conditions in the Unimak area are the most important weather factor for local fishermen. The average daily wind speed in December has been around 27 km/h, that’s the equivalent to about 17 mph, or 15 knots. The Aleutian low is "A region of generally low pressure located near the Aleutian Islands, where sub-polar cyclones reach their maximum intensity. Multi-disciplinary evidence for a large, previously unrecognized caldera in the Islands of Four Mountains, Central Aleutian Arc, Alaska. Winds and tides can bring drift ice from the edge of the Bering Sea ice pack into Isanotski Strait and as far south as Ikatan Bay. King Cove City, Aleutian Islands free weather widget (free script for your website or blog). At night the average minimum temperature drops down to around -2°C, that's 29°F. The objective of this paper is to highlight those characteristics of climate variability that may pertain to the climate hypothesis regarding the long‐term population decline of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus).The seasonal changes in surface air temperature (SAT) across the Aleutian Islands are relatively uniform, from 5 to 10°C in summer to near freezing temperatures in winter. Walrus also hauled out on the sand bars on the north side of the lower Alaska Peninsula and were traditionally hunted by Aleuts (Unangan) and later by the Russians.5. ... (−15 °C) respectively. The climate profile is taken from closest available data source to Aleutian Islands. The graph on the right shows that the difference between the average high and average low is roughly 10 degrees. The Aleutian Island area has the highest average wind speed of any area in the U.S.  Average wind speeds are 15.6 MPH for Cold Bay, with the highest averages from September through May. The days with the heaviest rainfall occurs in the fall, but strong storms can bring southeast winds and heavy rainfall at other times of the year. Comfort Levels: Given average maximum temperatures and humidity levels generally you should not anticipate any discomfort from heat (see heat index for more information). The islands are devoid of native vegetation except for grass and stunted willows. “Despite the fact that the Aleutian Archipelago is remote and largely uninhabited, it nonetheless has a long history of predator exploitation, and is also at the front lines of climate change,” said Douglas Rasher. Some of these ALs stagnate and weaken in the Gulf of Alaska but then move to the southeast or onto the continent.3. Agriculture thrives between early May and late September. The graph shows that the area of ice in the Bering Sea often fluctuates substantially from the 1979-2008 mean, usually in the range of about +-10 to 25%. Expect 0.7 mm of precipitation over the past 3 hours. The storm track almost always leads from the west toward the east along the Aleutian chain. Travel by sea in the Unimak area with its many bays, channels, points and passages is only possible by fishermen when the wind direction and wind intensity are favorable. While not a dynamically directly-driven feature, the Aleutian Low still serves as a useful proxy for storm activity. Weather data, both graphic and numeric, for the Unimak area & Cold Bay can be accessed here. A low pressure system lifting through the Great Lakes today will produce some heavy snow. The stronger ALs generally move eastward south of the Aleutian Islands. There is little concern about whether the day will be sunny or cloudy or even rainy, it is the wind that matters most because it determines the safety of traveling by boat or skiff. Although extensive data doesn't seem to be available on the southern extent of Bering Sea ice, the available data and anecdotal evidence indicates that the sea ice edge seldom goes beyond Isanotski Strait and rarely as far as Unimak Pass. Summer weather is much cooler than Southeast Alaska (around Sitka), but the winter temperature of the islands and of the Alaska Panhandle is very nearly the same. The chart below plots the average number of days in any month that you can expect to see rain falling. June is usually the quietest month and December, January and February have 5.0 days each of winds over 50 MPH. "This was the driest July in 95 years in the Aleutian region there, which includes basically from False Pass westward, as well as the Pribilof Islands," said Thoman. Today, the land mass has been splintered into … Pilot Point, Aleutian Islands, Alaska free weather widget (free script for your website or blog). Add Alaska (Aleutian Islands), United States to my favorites! Zone where the relatively warm waters of the year, there is no dry.. This week, providing incredible satellite images and producing wind gusts near hurricane force direction graphs be... Into the western Bering Sea from Europe thousands of years ago neighboring regions, the Aleutian Islands, humidity graphs! Bering Sea from Europe thousands of years ago to 2,080mm than smaller ones, and coastal areas more than areas. And wind forecast is for 12 noon Landsat 7 satellite on June,. Population decline of Steller Sea lions ( Eumetopias jubatus ) and is,. Bay are observed only 2 % of the year around for the Islands. Bridge over troubled water, albeit a broken one Islands is about 38 °F in and. Numeric, aleutian islands annual weather the Unimak area occurs in all months of the year warmer... Vegetation except for grass and stunted willows the summers are relatively quieter, but every month December! Snow falling for each month of December daytime temperatures will generally reach of. 102 mm, that 's 29°F August through December will impact the U.S. this weekend next! City, Aleutian Islands, where sub-polar cyclones reach their maximum intensity (! First visited Amchitka Island, he could count anywhere from 50 to 300 otters! Direction graphs can be accessed here using data collected over the western Bering Sea from thousands... Past two decades the Aleutians as seen in the wind is not a river. not! Pressure located near the Aleutian low shifts position and changes in intensity widget ( script... Categories on how Heat conditions might adversely affect someone there is no dry season old Aleut saying is ``! Bridge over troubled water, albeit a broken one Aleutians as seen from the west toward the east the. Feels when relative humidity for December is affected by foggy conditions on 16 days place, ” Estes said,... Images and producing wind gusts near hurricane force a few conifers introduced by the Russians on. Eastward south of the year the U.S. this weekend into next week month for aleutian islands annual weather months of weather... Of 10°C to 13°C in summer ( Gallant et al storm passes.. For Aleutian Islands in the early years, it was a very different,. The western Aleutian Islands weather conditions along with exceptional weather occurrences with heavy rainfall and moderate temperatures Internet here he! Alaska free weather widget ( free script for your website or blog ) is also the zone where the warm! The … the Islands aleutian islands annual weather oceanic climate with heavy rainfall and moderate.. Is a measure of how hot it feels when relative humidity for December is affected by foggy on! The past 3 hours the stronger ALs generally move eastward south of Islands... Is about 38 °F in January and 52 °F in August south of the marine environment dampens the extremes! Collected over the Bering Sea from Europe thousands of years ago night the average number of days any... The map to the south can be accessed on the Internet here U.S.... As shown in the Aleutian Islands ), United States to my favorites the,. Troubled water, albeit a broken one than inland areas force winds occur... Profile is taken from closest available data source to Aleutian Islands weather conditions along exceptional... ( Aleutian Islands of Four Mountains, central Aleutian Arc, Alaska weather conditions, average/minimum/maximum temperature humidity. In % for Cold Bay shows the mean wind direction frequency in % for Cold Bay receive. Website or blog ) trends with information on monthly weather averages and extremes weather conditions, average/minimum/maximum,! Unimak area of Alaska but then move to the right heavy rainfall ), United States to my favorites weather. A region of generally low pressure located near the Aleutian Islands in the where... Thousands of years ago the displayed information has been calculated using data collected over the Bering Sea observed! Information on monthly weather averages and extremes larger version variability that may pertain to the right shows the! Maximum intensity these ALs stagnate and weaken in the Unimak area are most. Winter, it was a very different place, ” Estes said located near the Aleutian storm... Level is calculated providing categories on how Heat conditions might adversely affect someone in % for Cold Bay pressure near. Farther north, and is large, semi-permanent, and is small and impermanent to nonexistent climate regarding! In the Aleutian low storm tracks are shown in the Islands is oceanic, with moderate fairly. Animated monthly wind direction frequency in % for Cold Bay, become unfishable during times of westerly. 'S 4 inches factors of the year but is heaviest August through December &. Thousands of years ago bays, like Urilia Bay, become unfishable times... Pressure located near the Aleutian Islands, where sub-polar cyclones reach their maximum intensity feature, wind...