Heavy Snow — Susitna Valley, Alaska

2019-11-27 to 2019-11-28 · Susitna Valley, Alaska

Event narrative

Eaglesong Lodge reported 30 inches of snow in 24 hours, with a storm total of 46 inches. This was the greatest single event total in 26 years of records.

Wider weather episode

On November 27th, a complex and rapidly developing low pressure system moved from the North Pacific towards the Kenai Peninsula. The initial set-up showed a low pressure system in Bristol Bay, extending a warm front through the southern Kenai Peninsula. This low pressure center continued to intensify as it pushed the warm front through the southern portion of Kachemak Bay. The combination of the rapid drop in pressure with the southeastern approach of the warm front dramatically increased southeasterly winds across Southcentral. The front also brought warm air overrunning cold air in the Susitna Valley, leading to a record snow event for the western side of the Valley.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 861925. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.