Blizzard — Pribilof Islands, Alaska

2013-01-28 · Pribilof Islands, Alaska

Event narrative

Blizzard conditions were measured for approximately 15 hours. Peak winds reached 43 kts with visibility reduced to one-sixteenth of a mile in heavy, blowing and drifting snow. Pipes froze in four homes. The value of damage reported is an estimates.

Wider weather episode

A 970 mb low pressure system moved from the North Pacific Ocean January 27th, progressed north toward the eastern Aleutians and eventually the Pribilof Islands late January 29th, spreading generally light to moderate snow. With high pressure over the Arctic, this pattern created a tight gradient across western Alaska with widespread blizzard conditions from the Eastern Aleutians to Bristol Bay, the Kuskokwim Delta and the Pribiofs.

The Pribilof Islands were most severely impacted. Blizzard condidtions persisted nearly continuiously for approximately 15 hours. Periods of moderate, with occasional heavy, snow combined with gusts exceeding 40 mph brought visibility to one-sixteenth of a mile with large snow drifts. Pipes in four homes in the village of Saint Paul (Pribilof Islands) froze as a result of this event.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 432268. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.