Heavy Snow — S. Slopes of Ern Brooks Range, Alaska

2002-04-16 to 2002-04-17 · S. Slopes of Ern Brooks Range, Alaska

Wider weather episode

A 982 mb low pressure system and associated frontal system moved from the Pribilof Islands northeast across Norton Sound on the morning of the 17th, across northwest Alaska the night of the 17th, and offshore of the eastern Arctic Coast on the morning of the 18th.The warm front portion of the frontal system produced heavy snow over western and northern Alaska, and strong winds through Windy Pass of the central Alaska Range. While Blizzard conditions occurred over St. Lawrence Island, 2 direct injuries occurred: a 74-year old man man became stranded while riding his snowmobile; he dug and snow cave for shelter and had supplies to last him the several days until rescuers found him. He was in good health but suffered from dehydration. During the Search and Rescue effort for this man, six of the rescuers loist radio contact and failed to return to their base of operations. Four of them returned on the night of the 16th, and the other two were found the morning of the 17th. One of these men suffered from frostbite on his hands and feet. Blizzard conditions occurred at:Zone 207 - Point HopeZone 209 - Kotzebue, SelawikZone 210 - Buckland, Deering;Zone 211 - Nome, Golovin;Zone 212 - Unalakleet;Zone 213 - Savoonga, Tin CIty where wind gusts reached 51 knots (59mph);Zone 214 - EmmonakHeavy snow occurred at:Zone 216 - Kaltag - the Co-op observer reported 6 inches of new snow in the 24 hours ending at 730 am on the 17th; Zone 217 - Ambler High School reported 9 to 10 inches of new snow in the 24 hours ending at 200 pm on the 18th; Zone 218 - The Co-op observer at Wiseman reported 10 inches of new snow in the 24 hours ending 8pm on the 17th;High Wind occurred at Healy (Zone 225), where the weather observer recorded a peak gust of 63 mph .

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5288646. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.