The Alaska Pacific River Forecast Center released a Spring Breakup Outlook Friday April 11th.

The otential for spring ice breakup and snowmelt-induced flooding for most of the Yukon, Tanana, Chena and Koyukuk River basins is above average due to higher-than-normal snowpack levels. In contrast, portions of the Lower Yukon and Kuskokwim River basins, along with most of Southcentral Alaska, can expect a below-average breakup potential due to very low snowpack caused by warmer than normal winter temperatures.

Timing of breakup is expected to be near normal for rivers across northern and eastern Alaska, and 1-3 days later than normal in western Alaska. We are still three weeks away from the start of breakup on the mainstem of the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers.

It is noteworthy that the Kuskokwim River Ice Road has been re-established from Bethel to Crooked Creek, indicating that the integrity and strength of the ice has rebounded since the mid-winter warm-up. As of March 21st measurements along the ice road ranged from 42” at Kalskag decreasing to 30” at Bethel. As of March 28th measurements ranged from 30” at Crooked Creek to 40+” in Aniak. The ice road across the Yukon River closed on April 7th, approximately 2 weeks earlier than
normal.

The Kuskokwim River basin snowpack is well below-average, particularly in the lower basin— a stark contrast to last season’s well above-average snowpack. Areas near McGrath and to the northeast have a deeper snowpack and closer to normal for this time of year.

The forecast, temperature wise through mid April shows cooler than normal temps along the west coast and near normal temps along the central interior.

A full report from this week is at this link
https://www.weather.gov/media/aprfc/BreakupProducts/ESFAK_ACR_20250411.pdf