Winter Storm — Misty Fjords, Alaska

2017-01-14 to 2017-01-15 · Misty Fjords, Alaska

Event narrative

COOP in Hyder measured 12.5 inches of new snow for 12 hours ending at 1/14 at 1100. Additional snow fell 3 more inches by 1300 for a storm total 15.4 inches. Impact was snow removal especially because it started to rain on top of the new snow at 1300.

Wider weather episode

An extremely strong fetch of warm moist maritime air set up over the Panhandle on 1/12 and 1/13. Cold air at the surface was eroded before significant snowfall fell except for the Lynn Canal area and Misty Fjords. This setup persisted until early on 1/15. Rain mixed in with snow at times which made true measurements of snowfall difficult. Both northern highways had significant ice on the road base for very slick driving conditions. The impacts of this snow storm were snow removal, slippery roads, and avalanches.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 666407. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.