Heavy Snow — Prince of Wales Island, Alaska

2022-12-22 to 2022-12-24 · Prince of Wales Island, Alaska

Event narrative

The COOP observer in Thorne Bay reported that snow had begun around 10pm on the 22nd and measured 8 inches by 8am the next morning with heavy snow continuing to fall. They measured another 3.5 inches by 6am on the 24th when snow had ended or changed to rain. Other communities on Prince of Wales Island reported 9 inches of snow had fallen before changing to rain on the 24th.

Wider weather episode

After a six day Arctic air outflow event, a frontal band, the first of a series of systems, brought dry, fluffy, snow starting over the southern panhandle and spreading northward through the 23rd. E-ENE wind gusts of 25-40mph were widespread with reports of blowing and drifting snow. The second frontal band moved into the southern panhandle early on the 24th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1072922. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.