Chilkat Lake, looking north. The Chilkat Indian Village of Klukwan is in the distance (Photo courtesy of Erik Stevens)

The gray month of February continues in the upper Lynn Canal, with rain showers and overcast skies in the forecast this week. But no storms and some wind could provide a chance for some sunshine to break through. KHNS’ Corinne Smith checked in with Kimberly Vaughn, Observation Program Lead with the National Weather Service in Juneau for the latest.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

KHNS: Kimberly, thanks for joining us today. What’s in the forecast for the upper Lynn Canal this week? 

Kimberly Vaughn: Well we’re looking at actually some rain today (Tuesday) and then potential for some clearing overnight. Not a lot of clearing, but we may see a little bit of break in the clouds. And then mid week, turning back to rain, likely near sea level. We should remain liquid precipitation until we get towards the weekend where we might start seeing a mix to even some snow near sea level. And then of course, the highways. We’re expecting snow, with the little accumulations along the highway for earlier this week. For the winds, those are not doing too bad right now. And we are looking for gusty winds to increase even in the Haynes area, midweek by Wednesday night with some gusts about 25 to 30 mph in the area.

KHNS: So looking pretty mild. We did have some sunshine this past week that really boosted our mood here in Haines. Is there any chance of the sunshine breaking through again, maybe this weekend?

Vaughn: Later this week there, we’ve got some scattered precipitation expected and with that, you can get some sunny breaks, certainly possible, but for the most part, we’re not seeing any significant clearing in the forecast for the next seven days. So some break potential, but nothing of any lasting significance, unfortunately. But we’ll take anything we can get right. Breaks the blue are still good.

KHNS: Absolutely. And what about the snow forecast for our skiers out there?

Vaughn: Up in the upper elevations there should be all snow so that’s good for the heli-skiers and things like that. More snow is coming into the forecast by the weekend and on Monday, Washington’s birthday, more potential even at sea level, expected there. Kind of more of the overnight will be snow where the daytime will turn more into rain with temperatures of still getting to around 40 degrees on the weekends, but overnight lows getting down into the mid 20s.

KHNS: So how does this February compare to the average of past years?

Vaughn: Well on average, looking at the Haines a Number 2 Co Op, they’re actually slightly below normal for snowfall, we’ve gotten to 22.5 inches recorded so far this month in February, with their average of 23.9 inches for snowfall. Interestingly on precipitation, they’re above normal with 5.74 inches being collected, with the average being 5.12 inches. So pretty close to normal as far as that but still, you know, it’s just one of those it shows that just because you’re above normal precipitation does not necessarily correlate in the wintertime to the snowfall, it can definitely vary.

KHNS: And so that’s for the Haines town site. 

Vaughn: That is the Haines Number 2 Co Op which is the cooperative observing program. And that’s a volunteer program where somebody goes out and takes the weather observation at least once a day and gets the maximum minimum temperatures, snow fall, rainfall and no one ground for us so every day. 

KHNS: How about in Klukwan?

Vaughn: We don’t have an observation site there. We would love one though, so if there’s anybody interested in becoming a co-op, they can contact our office. We’d love to install one.

KHNS: Good to know, maybe someone will be interested. How is Skagway looking compared to the average?

Vaughn: So Skagway so far this February has measured 3.2 inches of snowfall and their average is 6.7 inches. And precipitation was also below normal with 1.47 inches collected with the average being 1.84 inches.

KHNS: Well, thanks so much for joining us, Kimberly. Thanks for taking the time. 

Vaughn: Thank you.