Winter Storm — Ern Norton Sound Nulato Hills, Alaska

2011-12-10 · Ern Norton Sound Nulato Hills, Alaska

Wider weather episode

A 955 mb low in the central Bering Sea at 0300AKST on the 10th moved into the Gulf of Anadyr as a 969 mb low by 2100AKST on the 11th. The low then drifted to the west along the Russian Coast and slowly weakened on the 12th.

Zone 211: Blizzard conditions were observed at Nome from 0940AKST through 1930AKST on the 10th. The visibility was reduced to one quarter mile in snow and blowing snow. There was a peak wind gust to 46 kt (53 mph) at the Nome ASOS. There was a total of 4.5 inches of snow observed by the Nome Weather Service Office. Blizzard conditions were also observed at Golovin from approximately 1100AKST through 1900AKST on the 10th. The visibility was reduced to one quarter mile in snow and blowing snow. There was a peak wind gust to 46 kt (53 mph) at the Golovin AWOS. The village office estimated that 4 to 7 inches of snow fell, but it was nearly impossible to measure due to significant blowing and drifting snow. The village office reported that people were getting stuck around town on snow machines due to the large drifts. Heavy snow was observed at White Mountain. It was estimated by the village office that in excess of 8 inches of snow fell, but it was nearly impossible to measure due to significant blowing and drifting snow.

Zone 212: The Unalakleet Police Department reported that approximately 12 inches of snow fell. The heaviest of the snow fell from approximately 1300AKST through 2300AKST on the 10th. There was likely a considerable amount of blowing and drifting snow. There was a peak wind gust to 46 kt (53 mph) at the Unalakleet AWOS.

Zone 213: Blizzard conditions were observed at Gambell from 2030AKST on the 9th through 0700AKST on the 10th. The visibility was frequently reduced to one quarter mile in snow and blowing snow. There was a peak wind gust to 50 kt (58 mph) at the Gambell ASOS.

Zone 214: Heavy snow was observed across much of the Yukon Delta from approximately 1800AKST on the 9th through 1800AKST on the 10th. The village office at Mountain Village reported that up to 12 inches of snow fell with significant drifting snow. The village office at Saint Marys reported that in excess of 8 inches of snow fell with some blowing snow. The village office at Marshall reported that 5 to 7 inches of snow fell. The snow likely changed over to freezing rain in spots during the afternoon hours on the 10th, and it is likely that some areas received up to one tenth of an inch of ice accretion.

Zone 216: Heavy snow was observed in the Lower Koyukuk and Middle Yukon Valleys. The snow began around 1200AKST on the 10th and continued through approximately 0600AKST on the 11th. The Post Office at Ruby estimated that 12 inches of snow fell. The Post Office at Koyukuk estimated that 8 inches of snow fell.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 352179. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.