Nern P.w. Snd storm history

This event was first reported over network television then in the Anchorage Daily News.

Heavy rain in Valdez from an atmospheric river, caused Solomon Gulch to flood, closing Dayville Road in Valdez. This road is the access to the Solomon Gulch Dam and power plant and employees were not able to easily access the plant because the main road was flooded.

Heavy rain, on top of saturated soils, caused fast rises on the Lowe River in Valdez. The Richardson Highway was impacted in Valdez, with flooding encroaching on the highway and closing it at MP 4. Transportation into/out of Valdez was affected; this is the only road in/out of th…

Kyle Sobek (Thompson Pass DOT) reported 2 to 2 1/2 feet storm total snow at Thompson Pass and 10 in Tonsina.

The Thompson Pass DOT camp reported that their highest observed wind gust was 96 mph at camp. They also reported that the wind gusts were much stronger through the Thompson Pass gap. Meanwhile, the Valdez ASOS recorded a peak wind gust of 76 mph.

DOT reported that wind gusts reached 75 mph around 2:00 am along with heavy drifting snow in and near the Gap, while visibility reduced to 1 mile.

As the front passed through Prince William Sound, it spread a heavy mix of rain and snow along and ahead of the front. The rain/snow mix mostly affected the coastline, while heavy and blowing snow created blizzard conditions along the mountains and mountain passes. DOT reported h…

Alaska 511 reported whiteout conditions with poor visibility and snow on December 25th at 1127PM.

Temperatures initially rose with the arrival of a cold, dense airmass during the early morning hours of December 23 as northeasterly winds vertically mixed warmer air aloft down to the surface across Northeastern Prince William Sound. However, colder air gradually worked in throu…

Blowing snow was observed on the Valdez Airport FAA webcam during the morning hours of December 23, suggesting that strong winds through Thompson Pass were also lofting snow. Later reports from the Alaska Department of Transportation indicated that road conditions were rated diff…

A third wave of heavy snow hit southcentral Alaska within an 11-day period in early December. This snowfall was produced as a tropical moisture plume spread northward and combined with an upper-level disturbance transitioning across the state. The bulk of the snowfall arrived lat…

A report from the Thompson Pass Department of Transportation confirmed 70mph estimated gusts through Thompson Pass between the evening of November 30th into the morning of December 1st. A gust to 69 mph was also recorded at the PAVD ASOS.

On Nov 29, the highest measured wind gust was 66 mph at the PAVD ASOS. The Thompson Pass Department of Transportation reported that winds were definitely gusting to at least 70 mph in Thompson Pass, and about 60 mph in town between the evening of November 28th and the morning of …

Snow and blowing snow were observed along portions of the Richardson Highway during the overnight of 11/1 into the morning of 11/2. The Alaska Department of Transportation reported Road conditions through Thompson Pass as difficult to travel due to blowing and drifting snow. Low …

Alaska 511 (Department of Transportation) reported blowing and drifting snow through Thompson Pass from MP 18 to MP 30 on the morning of October 26th. A nearby DOT surface observing site recorded winds gusting to 30 knots (35 mph).

Alaska 511 (Department of Transportation) reported freezing rain and ice buildup on the Richardson Highway for the 5 AM AKST report on October 16th from MP 18 to 30 of the Richardson Highway near Thompson Pass. A DOT provided surface observing site in Thompson Pass recorded 'unkn…

Heavy rainfall caused rapid rises on the Lowe River and surrounding the Solomon Gulch Lake near Valdez, AK. Widespread lowland flooding was reported by the Floodplain Manager as waters rose rapidly during the event, rising as fast as 3 feet in under 12 hours and cresting at 15.02…

The service hydrologist spoke to Scott Benda, the Valdez Flood Manager, and found out that rivers in the area were high with some low areas taking on water along Lowe River and Glacier Steam. The Town of Valdez did not experience any high water or low areas of flooding. Alpine Wo…

Alaska 511 page reported road conditions in Thompson Pass between mile points 18 to 30 to be difficult. Also, reported blowing and drifting snow with blizzard conditions. The report was taken at approximately 5:56pm.

Alaska 511 page reported road conditions in Thompson Pass between mile points 18 to 30 to be difficult. Also, reported blowing and drifting snow with blizzard conditions. The report was taken at approximately 5:56pm.

Thompson Pass reported average winds of 34 mph with peak winds of 37 mph. Keystone Canyon reported lower average winds with 20 mph but higher gusts to 40mph. Visibilities were also reduced when looking at webcams in the area.

Alaska 511 road page- Thompson Pass from MP 18 to MP 30 reported difficult road conditions, blowing and drifting snow, poor visibility, and snow falling.

Thompson Pass DOT official reported blizzard conditions overnight the 13th through the morning of the 14th.

Multiple stations along the road near Thompson Pass recorded wind chills of -40 degrees or colder. A few stations went offline during the period, likely due to the cold conditions; they came back when it began to warm.

Wind chill at the FAA camera tower at Thompson Pass was -43F at time of issuance. Wind chill values ranged between -38 and -44 through duration of warning. Wind chill values dropped back to -35 around 1300 on the 13th.

Upper Tsaina SNOTEL 29.9 inches recorded.

One of the observations sites in Thompson Pass recorded northeast winds around 30kts with gusts up to 33kts between 9 am and 3 pm on the 28th of November. This combined with temperatures -5 to -10 degrees below zero resulted in very cold wind chills of -40 to -42 degrees.

The Valdez Airport AWOS (PAVD) reported wind gusts to 77 mph at 3:53 AM AKDT and a higher one of 85 mph at 8:56 AM AKDT. This wind event brought warning level gusts to both Thompson Pass and into the town of Valdez.

The Thompson Pass RWIS site (RHRA2) reported over 12 hours of over 75 mph wind gusts with the peak being 94 mph around 6 AM April 9th.

The AK DOT RWIS site at Thompson Pass (Richardson Hwy MP 2) reported winds higher than 35 mph for a 26 hr period on Dec 17-18. While area SNOTELs indicated snowfall. With temperatures in the single digits, this also produced wind chills as low as 30 below zero.

Alaska DOT closed the highway through Thompson Pass due to high winds, heavy drifting, and whiteout conditions.

The wind sensor in Thompson Pass measured 77 mph. Reports from DOT personnel confirmed that snow drifting across the highway in Valdez town required the use of pilot cars to keep the roads open.

Observation from avalanche control stated 55mph winds and 2 inches of snow at 6 a.m. Overnight visibility was less than 1/2 mile with very difficult travel conditions.

Thompson Pass maintenance reported difficult driving conditions and southeast winds up to 45 mph.

Thompson Pass RWIS station reported 12 hrs of winds above 35 mph. Avalanche control in Thompson Pass also reported visibility less than one quarter mile and difficult driving conditions.

Avalanche control in Thompson Pass reported visiblities less than 1/4 mile due to snow and blowing snow.

Thompson Pass DOT station reported 50 mph winds and visibility less than a quarter mile. Road conditions were very difficult.

Thompson Pass DOT camp reported a dusting of new snow, bringing visibility down to 1/4 sm. Winds were already gusting to 50 mph. Wind chills reached -45F.

Thompson Pass DOT recorded 10 of snow in 24 hours. They experienced northeasterly winds at 40 mph with visibility near zero at times.

Alaska DOT reported 12 inches of new snow in 12 hours with difficult road conditions. 511.gov reported heavy snow and reduced visibility.

Alaska Department of Transportation confirmed 6 to 10 inches of new snow through Thompson Pass. RWIS site at Thompson Pass indicated winds gusting to 35 mph.

Thompson Pass received 20 inches of new snow. Snow accumulated at a rate of 2 per hour between 10 am and 2:30 pm.

Alaska DOT reported blizzard conditions through Thompson Pass, with blowing snow reducing visibility to less than 1/4 mile.

Thompson Pass RWIS station recorded 89 mph peak gust. Visibility through Thompson Pass was reduced to near blizzard conditions due to blowing snow.

Valdez ASOS reported 72 knots peak wind in the undecoded observation. This was observed by personnel in the tower.

Winds peaked through Thompson Pass at 7:20 a.m. at 83 mph with 102 mph gusts.

Valdez ASOS peaked later in the evening, beginning about 7 p.m. The peak at the airport was 72 mph.

Road Weather Information System station in Thompson Pass (Elev 2740 ft) reported gust of 80 mph starting at 2:50pm 1/28.

Report from DOT Maintenance Camp in Thompson Pass indicated variable visibility between 0-100 ft. Worst conditions between miles 25-28 on the Richardson Highway.