Winter Storm — Glacier Bay, Alaska

2026-01-08 to 2026-01-09 · Glacier Bay, Alaska

Event narrative

Intermittent light snow fell on the 8th, becoming steady late with winds turning out of the north. Visibility fell to 1 mile in the 5am hour on the 9th with greater wet snowfall rates reported. The Glacier Bay NPS COOP station measured 14.5 inches of snow at 8am on the 9th, potentially a 48hr measurement, but most of that falling in the previous 12 hours. A trained spotter in town measured 6.25 inches of snow by 915am since the evening before with heavy rates continuing. DOT also reported 6 inches about an hour later, 2-3 inches of that falling between 6-8am. The Gustavus ferry dock area saw a change over to rain by around midday while Bartlett Cove reported a period of sleet and the airport AWOS had unknown precip, indicating a mix or freezing rain. At least one tree came down across Mountain View Rd. as snow changed to rain in the afternoon. Localized flooding and ponding on roads was reported later.

After significant snowfall in December and this additional snow, plus a transition to rain adding to the weight, damage to roofs and outbuildings likely occurred, but none were reported to the NWS. The Chatham Regional Education Attendance Area (including Gustavus) was added to the State disaster declaration for the winter storms on January 10th to aid in snow removal.

Wider weather episode

An atmospheric river brought snow followed by high winds, warming temperatures and heavy rain to the panhandle January 8th and 9th. A low pressure center developed along a triple point front as it tracked NE across the western Gulf of Alaska on the 9th. The low center deepened to 960mb as it approached the northern Gulf and the frontal system brought a period of high winds to the central and southern panhandle. This system brought with it heavy snow across the north, followed by a significant warm-up, heavy rain, localized flooding due to previous heavy snow blocking drainages, and avalanches. The flooding falls into the advisory level, but the rain was an additional impact due to the added weight of the snow on structures. Disaster declarations were expanded to more communities across the northern panhandle after this storm.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1317547. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.