Heavy Snow — Municipality of Skagway, Alaska

2023-03-15 to 2023-03-16 · Municipality of Skagway, Alaska

Event narrative

Skagway COOP measured 10 inches of snow by 7am on the 16th with a change to rain just occurring near sea level. The Klondike Highway DOT report noted 12 inches of snow by their morning report, but was still snowing. The highway was closed later that day due additional snowfall and for avalanche danger. Extreme overnight snow led to the decision to close Skagway School for the day, March 16th 2023.

Wider weather episode

A broad area of low pressure over the Gulf resulted in waves of precipitation moving into Southeast Alaska, initiating an overrunning snow event. The greatest snowfall totals were largely in parts of the northern panhandle.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1089733. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.