Winter Storm — Haines Borough and Klukwan, Alaska

2023-12-29 to 2023-12-30 · Haines Borough and Klukwan, Alaska

Event narrative

Freezing rain fell through the morning of the 29th in Haines with a quarter inch of accumulation being reported by 1130am. The freezing rain changed to a period of moderate snow through the afternoon, then back to moderate freezing rain before temperatures slowly warmed above freezing near sea level. The following morning, Haines Police reported a power line down on McPheters Road and photos were shared on social media of tree damage all over town. Meanwhile, snow had continued out the highway where 7.3 inches fell between 330-830pm on the 29th and Haines Customs COOP measured 17 inches by 7am on the 30th.

Wider weather episode

Overrunning precipitation fell over the Chilkat Valley as cold air was maintained by northwest wind. The southern portions of the Haines Highway and Haines saw an extended period of freezing rain with while the border at elevation saw significant snow accumulations. The freezing level was midway up the terrain for the the Klondike highway.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1154263. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.