Heavy Snow in Goldstream Valley and Nenana Hills, Alaska

A verified storm spotter on Old Murphy Dome Road reported a snow depth change of 17.7 inches between 2/17 and 2/19. This report was in direct correlation of radar observed snow squalls that occurred across the Middle Tanana Valley between the hours of 12:20L on 2/19 through 18:15L on 2/19. A peak observation was recorded at the Fairbanks ASOS site (PAFA) at 14:53L on 2/19 with sustained winds of 22 mph gusting to 36 mph, light snow, blowing snow, mist, and visibility at 1 mile.

A strong Bering Sea low moves into the Gulf of Anadyr, allowing for a strong front to move into Western Alaska. As the front approached the West Coast, strong east/southeast winds brought blizzard and whiteout conditions to much of the Seward Peninsula south. A secondary push of moisture brought by a shortwave system pushed off the Bering Sea low allowed for widespread heavy snow across St. Lawrence Island, the southern Seward Peninsula, and parts of the Western Interior. As the front pushed eastward across the state, snow squalls developed over portions of the Central Interior, leading to periods of heavy snowfall and gusty winds.