Heavy Snow in Nenana, Alaska

The Nenana SNOTEL (NESA2) reported a snow depth increase of 9 inches in less than 24 hours from 2/17 at 16:00L to 2/18 at 11:00L. Additionally, an Alaska 511 report at 05:15L on 2/18 reported snowfall totals between 4 to 10 inches along the Parks Highway from MP 276 to MP 316. A peak observation was recorded at the Nenana ASOS site (PANN) at 09:21L on 2/18 with snow, ice fog, 1/4 mile visibility, and sustained winds at 14 mph gusting to 21 mph.

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.