Winter Weather — Bristol Bay, Alaska

2023-03-19 to 2023-03-20 · Bristol Bay, Alaska

Event narrative

Periods of lowered visibilities from 1/4 to 1/2SM combined with periods of moderate to heavy snowfall at Igiugig, Koliganek, New Stuyahok, Cape Newenham, Dillingham, Manokotak and Pilot Point Airports over the course of the event. Peak winds of 37 mph were recorded at Togiak Airport and 45 mph winds were recorded at Port Heiden Airport; 52 mph were recorded at Chevak Airport.

Wider weather episode

An strong, elongated low lifted out of the southeast from the Gulf of Alaska and propagated towards the northwest, impacting a large swath of Southern Alaska and the Aleutian Chain. The low first impacted the Kenai Peninsula, bringing gusty winds, heavy snow, and lowered visibilities. As the low tracked westward, increased winds combined with moderate to heavy snowfall, banded at times, along with with blizzard conditions and lowered visibilities across areas of the Southwest and the Aleutian Chain.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1105218. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.