Blizzard — Wrn P.w. Snd & Kenai Mtns, Alaska

2013-02-23 · Wrn P.w. Snd & Kenai Mtns, Alaska

Event narrative

This was a typical Blizzard situation in Portage Valley with strong east to southeast winds coming through Portage pass and heavy snowfall with the passing of a front from the south. This event began with light snow and strong winds. The wind came down as snowfall rate was increasing. While the winds dropped below blizzard criteria before the end of the event the heavy snowfall rate combined with the winds that were occurring likely kept white-out conditions in the area for the duration of the event. There were no reported injuries and no reported damage.

Wider weather episode

A complex weather pattern set up over southern Alaska February 19th through 23rd where a series of triple point lows developed along the jet stream south of the Alaska Peninsula. These lows each deepened rapidly and tracked into the Northern Gulf of Alaska. These lows were generally in the 970 to 990 mb range as they impacted southern Alaska.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 435899. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.