Blizzard — Nern P.w. Snd, Alaska

2023-01-01 · Nern P.w. Snd, Alaska

Event narrative

As the front passed through Prince William Sound, it spread a heavy mix of rain and snow along and ahead of the front. The rain/snow mix mostly affected the coastline, while heavy and blowing snow created blizzard conditions along the mountains and mountain passes. DOT reported hazardous road conditions with heavy snow, whiteout conditions due to both heavy snow and blowing snow, and heavy drifting through Thompson Pass as snow amounts of 8 to 16 inches were noted and winds maxed out at 55 mph. Gareth with the Valdez Avalanche Center reported 20 from the summit of the pass north towards the Copper River Basin. Towards Valdez, heavy snow transitioned to a heavy mix from mile 20 through Keystone Canyon, which created very difficult to hazardous driving conditions. Snow transitioned to heavy rain from the Canyon towards Valdez.

Wider weather episode

A broad and elongated upper low draped across southern Alaska tracked slowly north on December 31, 2022; an embedded shortwave, associated with a strong surface low and deep southerly moisture fetch, tracked northward towards Prince William Sound. Of note was the warm temperatures aloft. As it was a fast moving pattern, some of the impacts were limited; however, areas of mixed precipitation, and heavy and blowing snow did impact the Chugach Mountains, the Turnagain Arm and Thompson Pass on January 1, 2023.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1096541. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.