Winter Storm — Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

2021-12-19 to 2021-12-20 · Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Event narrative

Multiple reports came in across social media platforms. Most of them mentioned sleet and freezing rain occurring throughout the day on December 19th continuing into the 20th along the Sterling Highway from Kenai/Soldotna south to the Anchor Point area on the western Kenai Peninsula.

Wider weather episode

A storm system moving northward from the North Pacific sent moisture associated with it over southern Alaska resulting in multiple precipitation type issues and hazardous weather. Arctic air already in place out ahead of the system remained entrenched at the surface. As warm air rode overtop the cold air at the surface, this resulted in precipitation type issues for certain areas.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1002210. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.