Blizzard — Northeast Prince William Sound, Alaska

2023-12-04 to 2023-12-07 · Northeast Prince William Sound, Alaska

Event narrative

The Thompson Pass mesonet station recorded gusts continuously over 35 mph between the afternoon of 12/5 and the evening of 12/7. This was coincident with temperatures well below freezing and steady, falling snow. This event followed a more minor period of blowing and drifting snow through Thompson Pass as reported by the Department of Transportation early on the morning of 12/4.

Wider weather episode

A low pressure moved into the Gulf of Alaska between 12/5 and 12/7 with fairly cold air in place with higher pressure over Southcentral Alaska out ahead of this system. This helped produce strong, gusty and offshore winds that resulted in localized blowing snow and blizzard conditions through Thompson Pass. Very strong northwesterly flow also developed on the western side of this low as it lifted north near the Alaska Peninsula, with high wind gusts up to 75 mph recorded in the city of Kodiak on 12/5.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1147336. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.