Winter Weather — Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

2024-02-13 · Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

Event narrative

The Toksook Bay AWOS recorded 1/4 to 1/2 mile visibility in blowing snow with 20 to 27 mph sustained winds between 10 AM and 3 PM AKST 2/13. Low visibility was also showing up on area webcams along the rest of the Kuskokwim Delta Coast during this time, including near Kipnuk.

Wider weather episode

A strong ridge of high pressure in place over Northern Canada and extending into mainland Alaska worked in tandem with a deep upper trough over the Bering Sea to draw moisture north along an atmospheric river that remained in place across the Alaska Peninsula and into Southwest Alaska from February 14th through February 16th. A series of shortwave troughs driving northward led to several rounds of heavy precipitation for the area. There were two main shortwaves - the first brought snow to the south side of the Alaska Peninsula beginning early on Feb 14, pushing north into Bristol Bay and the Kuskokwim Delta, and westward along the Alaska Peninsula through the day. The second arrived during the afternoon/evening of Feb 15, bringing warmer air and reinforced heavier precipitation.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1165481. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.