Winter Storm — Lower Yukon Valley, Alaska

2011-11-03 to 2011-11-04 · Lower Yukon Valley, Alaska

Wider weather episode

A 975 mb low near the Pribilof Islands at 0600AKST on the 3rd moves into the lower Kuskokwim Valley as a 980 mb low by 2100AKST on the 3rd. The low continued to weaken and moved into the western interior as a 991 mb low by 9 am on the morning of the 4th. The low produced heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions across parts of southwest Alaska.

Zone 214: Heavy snowfall was observed at Mountain Village with reports of up to 10 inches of snow. There was considerable blowing and drifting snow. Blizzard conditions were observed at Mountain Village from approximately 0700AKST through 1700AKST on the 3rd. The visibility was frequently reduced to one quarter mile in snow and blowing snow. There was a peak wind gust of 41kt (47 mph) at the Mountain Village AWSS. Blizzard conditions were also observed at Saint Marys from approximately 0936AKST through 1316AKST on the 3rd. The visibility was frequently reduced to one quarter mile in snow and blowing snow. There was a peak wind gust of 40 kt (46 mph) at the Saint Marys AWOS. Blizzard conditions were also likely observed at Marshall, but the visibility sensor on the AWSS became inoperable during the event. There was a peak wind gust of 47 kt (54 mph) at the Marshall AWSS. Blizzard conditions were also observed along the coast at Cape Romanzof during the onset of the event. The visibility was reduced to zero at times during the morning and early afternoon hours on the 3rd. There was a peak wind gust of 53 kt (61 mph) at the Cape Romanzof AWOS.

Zone 215: There were reports of snow drifts of 3 to 4 feet at Russian Mission. The snow was nearly impossible to measure due to considerable blowing and drifting snow. Based on the observations at Russian Mission, Anvik, and Holly Cross it is likely that snowfall amounts of 6 to 12 inches were observed in parts of the lower Yukon Valley. The visibility was reduced to one quarter mile or less at Anvik at times, but the wind was not strong enough to support blizzard conditions.

Zone 216: Heavy snow was observed at Galena with a storm total of 11 inches. The snow began at approximately 1400AKST on the 3rd, and the accumulating snow ended by approximately 1000AKST on the 4th. The snow was likely accompanied by significant blowing and drifting snow along and near the Nulato Hills. The Kaltag ASOS observed frequent wind gusts of 30 to 35 mph, and short periods of reduced visibility to one quarter of a mile.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 347008. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.