154 Alaskan Science Conference 



inches at Skagway to more than 150 inches in the Ketchikan 

 area. Temperatures seldom drop below o°F. except at the 

 higher elevations, or rise above the 8o's. The extremely rough 

 topography and heavy precipitation produce high, rapid run- 

 off. Stream flow records indicate that maximum precipitation 

 at the higher altitudes in the southern portion exceeds 250 

 inches annually. Maximum floods usually occur during the 

 heavy storms of autumn. 



2. The climate of the coastal region west from Yakutat is 

 similar to that for southeastern Alaska. Recorded precipita- 

 tion averages more than 100 inches along the Gulf of Alaska 

 and about 60 inches in the Prince Williams Sound region. Pre- 

 cipitation at the high elevations undoubtedly is considerably 

 greater. Winter temperatures are lower than those in south- 

 eastern Alaska. Major floods may occur in spring or fall. 



3. In the Anchorage area and the region between the Alaska 

 Range and the coastal mountains winter temperatures may 

 drop to about — 40°F. with summer highs about 90 F. Pre- 

 cipitation is generally low in the valleys, averaging about 20 

 inches. Stream flow is characterized by one principal flood 

 annually resulting from the melting of snow or ice. 



4. In interior Alaska, the region between the Brooks and 

 Alaska Ranges, making up the central Yukon Valley, average 

 precipitation ranges from less than 10 inches to not more than 

 20 inches annually except at the higher altitudes. Tempera- 

 tures range from highs approaching ioo°F. to lows in the 

 — 70's. The winter season is long. Annual temperatures aver- 

 age about 25 °F. 



5. The Aleutians have high precipitation with only a mod- 

 erate range of temperature but the winter season is long. 



6. The Bering Sea coastal region has precipitation averaging 

 from about 12 to 24 inches annually. Summer temperatures 

 reach the 8o's while winter temperatures drop to the — 40's. The 

 winter season is long and frost may occur in any month. Annual 

 temperatures range from 20°F. to 34 °F. 



7. The arctic coast region north of the Brooks Range has 

 precipitation averaging generally from 4 to 10 inches though 



