Winter Weather — Western Prince William Sound, Alaska

2023-11-29 · Western Prince William Sound, Alaska

Event narrative

The Summit Lake SNOTEL measured 14 new inches of snow on November 29. The heaviest snow occurred from late morning through the evening hours, with snowfall rates in excess of one inch per hour.

Wider weather episode

A low pressure system moving in the Gulf of Alaska tapped into deep subtropical moisture to produce heavy precipitation along the coast in Western Prince William Sound. Strong forcing and low-level instability combined with ample moisture to push precipitation inland toward Turnagain Pass. Snowfall rates exceeded one inch per hour as the low's front pushed inland on November 29, leading to new snowfall accumulations in excess of one foot.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1143757. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.