Winter Storm — Haines Borough and Klukwan, Alaska

2023-03-01 to 2023-03-02 · Haines Borough and Klukwan, Alaska

Event narrative

Haines DOT estimated 6 to 8 inches of snow and blowing snow by early morning on the 1st and multiple spotters in town measured over 8 inches by 8am. Visibility at the Haines airport fell to a quarter mile at 734am and stayed that low until 357pm. Haines school district had an early dismissal with all afternoon activities cancelled. By late afternoon reports were up to 2 feet of snow in town. Strong wind and snow continued through the morning of the 2nd with gusts of 30 to 40mph and storm totals of 26 to 35 inches in town and 15.8 inches measured at the border.

Wider weather episode

A strong low pressure developed over the northern Gulf of Alaska bringing significant moisture to Southeast Alaska. Cold air entrenched over the region at low levels ahead of the event allowed for significant snow to fall across the area in two major pulses. The first being along the warm front, with a period of blizzard conditions over Juneau, and the second pulse occurred as the cold front moved across the region.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1082362. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.