Winter Storm — Prince of Wales Island, Alaska

2023-02-24 to 2023-02-25 · Prince of Wales Island, Alaska

Event narrative

Trained spotter in Craig noted that they had blizzard like conditions with snow drifts everywhere, making it hard to measure but estimated 6 inches by 917pm on the 24th. COOP station on the opposite side of the island in Thorne Bay measured 6.5 inches by 9am on the 25th and was still snowing lightly. Hydaburg seaplane base reported snow

with frequent sustained winds of around 20 mph with gusts of 30 mph between noon on the 24th and 1am on the 25th.

Wider weather episode

Low pressure lingered over the NE gulf with an associated front causing very light, dry snow to fall for over 12 hours. A wave formed along the front causing rates to pick up to warning level rates for another 12 or more hours, particularly on the northeast side of the low as it started tracking SE along the outer coast late on the 24th and into the 25th. The dry consistency of the snow lead to blowing snow and drifting as the front moved across the southern panhandle.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1080419. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.