Heavy Snow — Haines Borough and Lynn Canal, Alaska

2020-01-25 to 2020-01-26 · Haines Borough and Lynn Canal, Alaska

Event narrative

Trained spotter reported 6 inches of snow as of 6pm on the 25th in the Mud Bay area. Heavy snow continued through the next day with some short periods of blizzard conditions and 3 foot drifts. Total snowfall for the event was in excess of 22 inches area-wide. COOP station at Haines Customs reported 22 inches at 7am on the 26th and another 18 inches by the next day. The storm ended with a short period of freezing rain as winds shifted to the south. The Haines Borough declared a public safety emergency the following day, closing all public buildings and schools for snow removal.

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 871947. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.