The weather affecting the Kenai Peninsula is dependent on so many factors, it is nearly impossible to do any long-term forecasting. Because of the mountains and oceans, weather patterns can change minute by minute. Therefore, I will not go into any extensive weather forecasting methods. I will only cover some simple ideas that will work here on the Kenai Peninsula.
Air Pressure:
--warm air rises, cold air sinks. As air cools and sinks, it becomes more dense and causes higher pressure. This denser air keeps other systems away, therefore skies in a high pressure system remain clear. Air in a low pressure system is less dense than in a high, which causes it to draw winds (which are often moist) into the system. Therefore, low pressure systems often bring cloudy, stormy weather.
The general rule in summer is: high pressure, clear weather; low pressure, rainy, stormy weather
Pressure is determined by an instrument called a barometer. The average barometric pressure at sea level is about 30.00. If the level in the barometer goes up, the pressure is high. If the level goes down, the pressure is getting lower.
Temperature Changes:
The average temperature change is 3° F per 1000' of ascent. This means that for every 1000' you ascend, the temperature goes down 3° F.
If the temperature goes down less than that, wet conditions can be expected. If the temperature goes down more than the 3° F, a high pressure system is coming in.
Forecasting For The Next Day:
There are several accurate ways to forecast the weather in Alaska for the next day. Here are several:
--A red sunset indicates that tomorrow's weather may be dry
--Red sunrises are caused by reflections in moist air that may indicate rain later in the day.
--Morning fog is the result of moisture in damp air that condenses in the cold of the night and is usually burned off by the heat of the morning sun providing a warm, sunny day.
--Late afternoon or evening fog is usually formed as moisture falls through warmer air and often indicates a coming storm.
--Dew at night means the weather the next day will probably be nice
--No dew means expect rain the next day
