Blizzard — Northeast Prince William Sound, Alaska

2023-11-17 to 2023-11-18 · Northeast Prince William Sound, Alaska

Event narrative

The Alaska Department of Transportation reported that winds overnight (early AM 11/18) gusted between 30 and 45 mph with blizzard conditions at times due to blowing snow near the top of Thompson Pass.

Wider weather episode

A very cold air mass and Arctic high pressure settled into place across Southcentral Alaska between 11/17 and 11/18. An area of low pressure lingered in place over the Gulf of Alaska, resulting in a strong offshore pressure gradient and strong winds out of gaps along the Gulf Coast. These winds were able to combine with recent transportable snow to produce blizzard conditions along the Richardson Highway in Thompson Pass on 11/18.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1142432. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.