Winter Storm in Two Rivers, Alaska

An Alaskan electricity company (GVEA) reported power outages during the afternoon of 2/19 due to numerous snow squalls caused by winds gusting greater than 35 mph. More than 700 people were left without power for a couple of hours in the afternoon. This occurred as a direct result of radar verified frequent snow squalls occurring across the Middle Tanana Valley between the hours of 12:20L on 2/19 through 18:15L on 2/19. The nearby Fairbanks ASOS site (PAFA) reported a peak observation at 14:53L on 2/19 with sustained winds at 22 mph gusting to 36 mph, light snow, blowing snow, 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.