Winter Weather — Alaska Peninsula, Alaska

2024-02-13 to 2024-02-15 · Alaska Peninsula, Alaska

Event narrative

The Nelson Lagoon AWOS recorded visibility 1/2 mile or less with 25 to 30 mph sustained winds in snow/blowing snow from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM AKST February 14th. A radio station in Sand Point also reported 3 inches of new snowfall through 1 PM February 15th and significant drifting of snow due to strong winds.

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 1165518. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.