In Alaska, the climate varies from maritime to subarctic to arctic. This has shaped the peculiarities of weather conditions, as a result of which five climatic zones can be distinguished. There is a significant area of coastline and abundant water resources, mountains and permafrost regions.
Maritime climate zone
The southern part of the peninsula is located in the maritime climate zone, which is influenced by the Pacific Ocean climate. It is replaced by a maritime continental climate that covers the central part of Alaska. In the summer, the weather is influenced by air masses circulating from the Bering Sea region. In winter, continental air currents blow.
There is a transition zone between the continental and maritime climate types. It also has specific weather conditions, which are influenced by southern and northern air masses at different times of the year. The continental climate covers the interior of Alaska. The northernmost part of the peninsula lies in the Arctic climate zone. This is the Arctic Circle region.
In general, Alaska has a high level of humidity and precipitation ranging from 3000 mm to 5000 mm per year, but the amount is uneven. Most of them fall in the area of mountain slopes, and least of all on the northern coast.
As for the temperature regime of Alaska, on average it varies from +4 degrees to -12 degrees Celsius. In the summer months, the temperature maximum of +21 degrees was recorded here. In the coastal region, it is +15 degrees in summer and about -6 in winter.
Subarctic climate of Alaska
In the subarctic climate, there is a tundra and forest tundra zone. Summer is very short here, as snow begins to melt only in early June. The heat lasts about three to four weeks. Above the Arctic Circle, there are polar days and nights. Closer to the north of the peninsula, the amount of precipitation decreases to 100 mm per year. In winter, the temperature in the subarctic zone drops to -40 degrees. Winter lasts for a very long time and the climate becomes harsh at this time. The greatest amount of precipitation falls in the summer, when the temperature rises to a maximum of +16 degrees. At this time, there is an influence of moderate air currents.
Climate zones of the Alaska Peninsula
The far north of Alaska and the surrounding islands have an arctic climate. There are rocky deserts with lichen mosses and solid glaciers. Winter lasts for most of the year, and at this time the temperature drops to -40 degrees. There is almost no precipitation. There is also no summer here because the temperature rarely rises above 0 degrees.