#1 on the list was 9.4 inches recorded on 5/12/1992. Second place goes to
May 13, 1964 when the recorded dump was 4.5 inches.
The city of Fairbanks spent two weeks sweeping up the gravel they had spread
on slippery streets last winter, only to have to put it all back Friday! The 3.2
inches of snow also made the month of May 2001 the fourth snowiest month since
1904. The snowiest May award goes to May 1992, when 14.1 inches fell between May
12 and May 16. At least one downhill ski area was able to reopen that time!
Average snowfall for May is ˝ inch.
Clean-Up Day
The storm caused the postponement of the annual Clean-Up day in 2001, which was
scheduled for May 5. It was moved to 5/12/01, the day before Mother's Day.
This year it is even later, on May 24, a week after Mother's Day. Thousands of volunteers participate every year. United Way distributes bright
yellow bags for it (like around 61 cases).
The volunteers pick up trash along roadsides and public areas beginning at 8
a.m., and trucks come by to collect the filled bags beginning about 2 p.m. In
2001 they collected the bags only within these boundaries: north to Fox,
south to South Cushman Street, east to Salcha, and west to Ester. Volunteers
collecting outside those boundaries were asked to deliver their own bags to the nearest
borough dump station and to not just leave them along side the road.
Month by Month
January: Usually thought of as the
coldest month (but see story above!.) Mushers begin racing their dogs.
February: Yukon Quest, more dog sled
races.
March: Still good Aurora
Viewing. Many
think of this month as the beginning of spring. We celebrate with an Ice
Art Festival.
April: Not a month for rain showers, but
there might be snow. We begin to see some road traffic now, but roads can still
be hazardous.
May: Gardeners are
definitely thinking about spring by now, and preparing to plant June 1. You have to look quickly, though, for
Spring is short. If you live in a northern state, you might want to take a look
at the Alaska
Gardening Guide, Alaska Vegetables for Northern Climates. Usually in
May is the "Great Cleanup" when all Fairbanks turns out to help clean up
roadsides (see notes above).
June: Tourist season is well under way. The
summer solstice this month inspires lots of Midnight
Sun Events.
July: Height of the tourist season. Golden
Days (celebration of discovery of gold in Fairbanks) and the
World
Eskimo-Indian Olympics.
August: Season
beginning to wind down, but still very busy, especially during the Tanana
Valley State Fair. Fall - another very short season here.
September: If you plan to visit in
September, be sure to read our special
September page. Many of the tourist attractions will close after Labor Day.
Actually, anyone visiting between September and May
should check out our September page, as it
lists attractions that stay open year 'round.
October:
This month is politics, as the city and borough hold their elections.
November: More politics with state
elections. There are some tourist attractions that are open year round (see that
special September page). Thanksgiving.
December: Home owners and business vie
with lighting displays this month. Christmas. Some nice
Auroral displays can be
seen in December.
You might enjoy looking at the Arctic Cam now
and then, to see the changing weather in downtown Fairbanks.
