There's been a real lack of sustained cold weather in the Y-K Delta this winter. Through Jan. 19, the lowest temperature in Bethel has only been negative 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperatures next week in Bethel will stay below zero, and will be colder upriver. It has already been down to minus 30 in Aniak last month, but that is a normal part of the lower Y-K Delta climate.
University of Alaska Fairbanks Climate specialist Rick Thoman said that it’s usually colder this time of year on the upper river and not as cold, but windier, closer to the coast.
“We've got a short hit of colder weather, probably will be about as cold as it's been. Might get to 15 below again at Bethel, might get a little colder, probably won't get as cold as it was last month upriver.” Thoman said. “But it looks like we're going to stay in the kind of the same weather pattern that we've been in.”