MARCH SNOW SURVEY REPORT RELEASED

Data Shows Extreme Highs and Lows in State Snowpack

March 10, 2008 (Palmer) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) released its March Snow Survey Report and it shows that so far this year, the snowfall in Alaska is a study in extremes according to Rick McClure, leader of the NRCS’ snow survey program in Alaska.

Southeast Alaska, the Seward Peninsula and the Kenai Peninsula are experiencing snow depths way above average while much of the Interior and the Arctic Coast are seeing half as much snow as normal.

The Seward Peninsula has had their biggest snow falls in many years (130-150% of normal); Southeast Alaska is recording big snows for the second year in a row with Petersburg seeing nearly twice as much snow as normal; and the entire Kenai Peninsula is experiencing above-average snowfalls with 122 inches of snow in Turnagain Pass.

Central Yukon area is below normal with only 15 total inches of snow in Fort Yukon since October 1 which is about 69 percent of normal. Much of the Interior – including the Fairbanks, Tok and Delta Junction areas are half to two-thirds of normal. The Arctic Coast is seeing about half as much snow as normal.

The complete March Snow Survey Report with detailed information from all areas of the state can be viewed at www.ambcs.org. Visitors to the site can also find hourly updates on air temperature, precipitation, snow depth and wind speed and other climactic conditions.

Snow Survey data is used to forecast river flow volume, breakup flooding potential, avalanche danger, summer forest fire probability, and fresh water availability for municipalities and power generation. Snow survey information also contributes to an index on the winter severity with respect to wildlife and reindeer calf survival.

Users can also log onto www.ambcs.org to get up to the minute information on temperature, precipitation and snow conditions prior to planning a recreational outing.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service puts 70 years of experience to work in assisting people to conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment. NRCS works in partnership with local conservation districts serves almost every county in the nation, and the Caribbean and Pacific Basin. Participation in our programs is voluntary.

Note to reporters: NRCS publishes Snow Survey Reports Feb – May each year. Your contact for this story is Rick McClure, leader of the NRCS Snow Survey program, at 907-271-2424 ext. 113.

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