Heavy Snow — Susitna Valley, Alaska

2000-01-27 to 2000-01-28 · Susitna Valley, Alaska

Wider weather episode

A complex low, preceded by a northward moving front through Prince William Sound and the Kenai Peninsula, moved northward through Prince William Sound Wednesday. On the 'heels' of the low, modified arctic air poured east and southeastward into the Cook Inlet area from the western Alaska range, enhancing snowfall. Highway reports early Wednesday reported white out conditions around Girdwood (MP90 on the Seward highway) along with 30 - 50 mph winds and temperatures of 32F. 12"-15" of new snow was reported around Seward. 6" of new snow was reported around Homer, with drifting snow along the ridge and around East End Road. Also on Wednesday, heavy snow and east winds 10 - 20 mph were reported in Thompson Pass (MP 337 of the Richardson Highway). 8" of new snow was reprted at Ernestine (MP 302), along with a south wind gusting to 50 mph. Gusty winds were also reported in the Copper River Basin (around 35 mph), along with about 5" of new snow at Chitina.From 7 am Wednesday through 7 am Thursday, DOT observations (past 24 hours) reported 10 to 40 mph winds with 12" - 16" of new snow at Girdwood, snow and whiteout conditions at Silvertip (MP57 along the Seward highway), 12" - 14" of new snow at Moose Pass and 6" of new snow in Seward. Around Cooper Landing poor visibilities were reported along with 6" - 8" of new snow. Ninilchik recorded up to 6" of new snow, with 12" - 14" falling around Homer (again with drifting along the ridge and out along East End Road). East to southeast wind 16-21 mph along with heavy snow was reported in Thompson Pass. Cordova received 15" of wet snow.By 7 am Friday, DOT observations recorded 24 hour snowfall of between 2.5" - 8" around Anchorage, 4" or less around Girdwood, 12" of new snow around Wasilla, 4" or less around Cantwell. Heavy snow was again reported in Thompson Pass. Reports around Turnagain Pass indicated snowfall rates of 3"/hour (fail rate is about 2 1/2"/hour). Turnagain Pass received 20" of new snow between Thursday and Friday. Seward received an incredible 1' of snow in 6 hours Friday, resulting in school closings at both Seward Elementary and Moose Pass Elementary schools. Heavy snows during the week were reported across upper elevations in Girdwood Valley. Amounts of snowfall in this area ranged upwards of 6' during the past week, along with episodes of high winds.An avalanche in Whittier caused cancellation of train service on Friday.Snow machine deaths, primarily weather related, were reported in Nikiski (2) and Big Lake (1).

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5127206. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.