Ice Storm — Middle Tanana Valley, Alaska

2021-12-25 to 2021-12-26 · Middle Tanana Valley, Alaska

Event narrative

Snow began in Fairbanks the morning of December 25th and continued through the morning of Sunday the 26th with a few breaks in precipitation the evening of the 25th. The NWS office in Fairbanks reported 9.3 inches of snow through the morning of December 26th. On the morning of the 26th, the snow switched over to sleet, then to freezing rain and eventually rain as the air temperature rose above freezing by Sunday evening. For the 26th the total liquid equivalent precipitation for the day was 1.93' (this is the combination of melted snow as well as rain). This amount was the 3rd highest value in a single calendar day in recorded history for Fairbanks. This is also the highest value in a single day to occur in the wintertime. Over an inch of the precipitation fell in the form of rain or freezing rain. This resulted in significant ice accumulation on roadways. Ice also accumulated on trees and powerlines through the evening.

Wider weather episode

A series of unusually warm and moist weather fronts moving into the Bering Sea and across Interior Alaska resulted in unprecedented precipitation across portions of Interior Alaska. Record precipitation values were broken at several locations across region.

Zone 211: Freezing rain began Christmas eve and persisted through late Christmas morning. Nome Police Department reported 0.24 ice accumulation around 1100AKST on Christmas. The Nome ASOS (PAOM) also reported freezing rain and ice accumulation. Reports from residents in Nome also indicated ice accumulation around the community. There were no reported impacts.

Zone 216: Freezing rain occurred at Huslia with 0.25 to 0.5 inches of ice.

Zone 221: Storm began as snow with over 8 inches at Nenena then changed to freezing rain with one half inch of ice reported in Nenana by State Troopers. Numerous vehicles in ditch along the Parks Highway. The Parks hwy closed from Denali to Nenana on Sun 26th.

Zone 222: Snow began in Fairbanks the morning of December 25th and continued through the morning of Sunday the 26th with a few breaks in precipitation the evening of the 25th. The NWS office in Fairbanks reported 9.3 inches of snow through the morning of December 26th. On the morning of the 26th, the snow switched over to sleet, then to freezing rain and eventually rain as the air temperature rose above freezing by Sunday evening. For the 26th the total liquid equivalent precipitation for the day was 1.93' (this is the combination of melted snow as well as rain). This amount was the 3rd highest value in a single calendar day in recorded history for Fairbanks. This is also the highest value in a single day to occur in the wintertime. Over an inch of the precipitation fell in the form of rain or freezing rain. This resulted in significant ice accumulation on roadways. Ice also accumulated on trees and powerlines through the evening. Numerous power outtages were reported around Fairbanks and North Pole through the 26th.

Zone 223: .1 inches of snow fell and up to half inch of ice at Whitestone Farms. Estimated 9IGA grocery store roof and Buffalo Center service stage 2-bay garage collapsed, numerous vehicles off road, widespread power outages due to down trees and power lines.

Zone 225: Mckinley Park COOP reported 14 inches of snow on December 26th 2021.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1000439. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.