Mount Francis (Alaska)

Mount Francis
Mount Francis
	Mount Francis, north aspect
Highest point
Elevation	5,426 ft (1,654 m)
Prominence	1,654 ft (504 m)
Isolation	5.9 mi (9.5 km)
Coordinates	61°02′30″N 146°12′22″W / 61.04167°N 146.20611°W
Geography
	Mount Francis Location of Mount Francis in Alaska
Location	Valdez-Cordova Borough; Alaska, United States
Parent range	Chugach Mountains
Topo map	USGS Valdez A-6

Mount Francis is a 5,426-foot (1,654 m) glaciated mountain summit located in the Chugach Mountains, in the U.S. state of Alaska. This landform is situated 6 mi (10 km) southeast of Valdez, 9 mi (14 km) southwest of Hogback Ridge, and 9 mi (14 km) northwest of Meteorite Mountain. This feature was named in 1898 by Captain William R. Abercrombie who led an 1898 expedition seeking a route from coastal Alaska to the Klondike.^[3] Precipitation runoff and meltwater from the mountain's glaciers drains into tributaries of the Lowe River, which in turn empties to Prince William Sound.

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Francis is located in a subarctic climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and cool summers.^[4] Weather systems coming off the Gulf of Alaska are forced upwards by the Chugach Mountains (orographic lift), causing heavy precipitation in the form of rainfall and snowfall. Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for viewing and climbing.