January 27, 2022, by admin

Heavy rains last Friday set a daily rainfall record for that day, with 4.09 inches of rain topping the previous record of 3.5 inches on January 21st in 2015, according to the National Weather Service. While not the most rainfall Sitka has ever seen, it was the most on this calendar date. 

The network of Tipping Buckets (rain gauges) across Sitka also documented the storm. Rainfall rates were higher with increased elevation, which is known as the “Orographic Effect” and explains Sitka’s wet windward facing slopes. 

With rainfall-induced landslides the focus of an ongoing research project, a community assessment was conducted following the storm. Were you hiking Friday afternoon or Saturday morning? Do you live on Upper Cascade Creek Rd. and hear a large or unusual noise? If you have information about the timing of the Cascade Creek Cross Trail slide, Sawmill Creek Rockfall, or other events related to heavy rainfall, please contact Geoscience Coordinator, jschmidt@sitkascience.org.