Blizzard — Lower Kobuk & Noatak Valleys, Alaska

2003-11-20 · Lower Kobuk & Noatak Valleys, Alaska

Wider weather episode

A 984 mb low pressure center in the north Bering Sea on the morning of the 20th deepened to 975 mb near the Bering Strait on the morning of the 21st and continued to move northeast, weakening to 990 mb near Kotzebue on the morning of the 22nd. The frontal system associated with the storm moved over the west coast of Alaska on the 20th, producing blizzard conditions over portions of the northwest coast as well as strong winds through the central Alaska Range. As the low center intensified and moved over the west coast, blizzard conditions again visited the coastal areas, along with high winds. Heavy snow occured over portions of the interior of Alaska as the frontal system moved through on the 21st and 22nd.Blizzard conditions were reported at:Zone 208: Red Dog MineZone 209: KotzebueZone 213: Tin CityZone 207: Point Hope; Shishmaref (In both locations, blizzard assumed as visibility sensor stopped reporting). High wind was reported at:Zone 213: Gambell AWOS peak gust to 56 knots (64 mph). Tin City AWOS peak gust 57 knots (66 mph).Zone 207: Shishmaref AWOS peak gust 54 knots (62 mph).ZOne 225: Healy NWS Observer: Peak Gust to 50 kt (58 mph).Storm Surge/Coastal Flooding occurred:Zone 207: Shishmaref: Ground eroded to within 10 feet of the teacher's quarters; occupants were evacuated during the height of the storm.Zone 211: The road to the village of Council was eroded in places. Snow fences (retards drifting snow near the city) were damaged in places. Damage total is $100,000 for the these two items.Zone 212: Unalakleet: Additional damage to the gabion wall protecting the community (see event of Nov 8). Zone 213: Gambell: High waves; no further damage (from storm of the 7th). City of Diomede: Waves were 17 to 20 feet. Damages include losing the Diomede Clinic sled ($2000), loss of some building materials, severe damage to the seawall (gabion wall) which was protecting the high school, as well as a water and fuel tank facility. Amount of these more serious damages are unknown.Zone 214: Kotlik: The bank erosion project completed in October was further damaged by the storm.Heavy Snow was reported at:Zone 222: Cooperative Observers: Upper Chatanika: 6.6 inches; Keystone Ridge 6.3 inches. Estimated: Snow began on the 21st around 0600 AST and reach 6 inches by 0500 AST on the 22nd.Zone 225: Cooperative Observer at Kobe Hill: 6.3 inches. Estimated: Snow began on the 21st around 0600 AST and reached 6 inches around 0500 AST on the 22nd.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5335362. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.