Winter Weather — Wrn P.w. Snd & Kenai Mtns, Alaska

2023-02-04 to 2023-02-05 · Wrn P.w. Snd & Kenai Mtns, Alaska

Event narrative

The Portage AWOS recorded strong easterly winds gusting to around 45 MPH with light to moderate snow and blowing snow, with visibility reduced to 1/2 mile or less between about 10 AM and 5 PM AKST 2/5. The Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center also reported 1/2 mile visibility or less at times with 6 inches of new snowfall and wind gusting between 25 and 35 mph at 2 PM AKST the same day.

Wider weather episode

A strong low pressure system moved up from the North Pacific past Kodiak Island and into the Kenai Peninsula on 2/5, with very strong winds over the Gulf spreading into parts of Bristol Bay and the Kenai Peninsula. These winds combined with light snow to produce areas of blowing snow and visibility reduced down to less than a mile for several hours in a few spots, including Portage Valley, King Salmon and New Stuyahok.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1100009. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.