Alaska Climate Research Center

The Alaska State Climate Center
The Alaska State Climate Center
The Alaska State Climate Center
Home > City Summaries > Fairbanks February 2011

Fairbanks February 2011


Highlights

In Fairbanks the average temperature was -6.5°F, 2.7°F below the long term mean for February. The high temperature for the month was 32°F on the 25th, and the lowest temperature of the month was -44°F on the 15th. Precipitation for February was measured at 1.64", 4.5 times the normal amount of 0.36". The daily precipitation record was tied on the 20th (0.31"), and a new record of 0.62" was set on the 21st. Snowfall for the month was recorded at 30.3". This was the second snowiest February in Fairbanks record, trailing the record of February 1966 (43.1"). 6.7" of snow fell on the 20th and 11.9" on the 21st. Two days of heavy winds and snow blasted the Fairbanks area on the 21st and 22nd causing limited visibility and dangerous driving conditions due to the blowing snow and mounting snowdrifts, caused power outages from trees falling on power lines and closed the northbound Dalton and Steese Highways. This was the biggest snowstorm to hit Fairbanks since 1984. Then on the 25th and 26th, the winds were back along with 5.2" more of snow. Wind speed for the month averaged only 2.6 mph but the highest gust recorded was 53 mph on the 25th.