Heavy Snow — Municipality of Skagway, Alaska

2023-01-20 · Municipality of Skagway, Alaska

Event narrative

Due to heavy snow and increased avalanche danger, the Klondike Highway was closed at 330pm on the 20th. State DOT reported 28cm or 11 inches of snow had fallen at their Moore Creek station by 230pm with rates of 1.5 inches per hour. DOT noted 30cm (11.8 inches) at White Pass and another 10cm (3.9 inches) by the next morning.

Wider weather episode

A storm force low and accompanying front moved northward over SE AK. Low level winds from the frontal band mixed down to generate high surface winds. Very heavy wet snow also fell over the Klondike Highway and White Pass.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1074039. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.