The Kenai Peninsula is abnormally dry for this time of year.
“To have this much drought is not normal,” Pam Szatanek, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service, said.
The peninsula has received little to no rain this August, during what is typically the wet season. The Kenai area hasn’t received measurable amounts of rain since July 28, or for 25 days.
The U.S. Drought Monitor placed the Kenai Peninsula in a moderate drought stage Aug. 8. The weekly monitor of national drought conditions updated the ranking Aug. 22 to show a portion of the northern peninsula is suffering an extreme drought.
A majority of the Kenai Peninsula was measured to be in a severe drought. The southern most part of the peninsula is experiencing a moderate drought.
Rain doesn’t look likely in the upcoming seven-day forecast, Szatanek said.
“There may be isolated showers out of a low-pressure movement coming through, but we’re being optimistic,” she said. “Honestly, we’re not expecting any kind of storm for the next seven days.”
Kenai received 1.51 inches of rainfall between June 1 and Aug. 12, a nearly 40% decrease from the average 3.88 inches of rainfall for the area.
