Blizzard — Taiya Inlet and Klondike Highway, Alaska

2020-01-25 to 2020-01-26 · Taiya Inlet and Klondike Highway, Alaska

Event narrative

Skagway ASOS had numerous gusts over 35mph and visibility occasionally down to one quarter mile. Skagway DOT closed the Klondike Highway at 548pm on the 25th due to blizzard conditions and risk of avalanches. A tanker crash on the highway kept the road closed for an extended period of time for hazmat clean up.

Wider weather episode

A front associated with a low tracking up from the north Pacific caused very heavy snowfall rates over the northern panhandle. This was the continuation of multiple days worth of snow from separate events.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 871945. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.