Thunder in Fairbanks

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
706 PM AKDT SAT MAY 5 2012
 ...THUNDER AT FAIRBANKS AIRPORT...
...EARLIEST IN 28 YEARS...

A 20 MINUTE THUNDERSTORM AT THE FAIRBANKS AIRPORT EARLY SATURDAY EVENING WAS THE EARLIEST THUNDERSTORM OF THE SEASON SINCE 1984...WHEN THERE WAS A THUNDERSTORM ON MAY 3RD. THUNDER IN THE FIRST HALF OF MAY IS NOT UNCOMMON OVER THE HILLS NORTH AND EAST TOWN...BUT IS QUITE UNUSUAL TO OCCUR SO EARLY IN THE SEASON IN THE FAIRBANKS BOWL. REPORTS OF UP TO ONE TENTH OF AN INCH OF RAIN AND SMALL HAIL HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM AREAS ON THE EAST SIDE OF TOWN. $$ RT MAY 2012

(Photo from the FAA's Ester Dome webcam looking southeast at 554pm ADT Saturday)