Heavy Snow — Cape Fairweather To Cape Suckling Coastal Area, Alaska

2020-01-28 to 2020-01-29 · Cape Fairweather To Cape Suckling Coastal Area, Alaska

Event narrative

Light snow showers fell over the Yakutat area on the 28th, then heavy rates began at 3pm with 3 inches falling by 6pm. Wind backed to the NE due to a strong low in the gulf, keeping colder air in place. Heavy rates aided in snow continuing overnight, despite gradual warming. A wind shift to the S-SW Wednesday morning changed precip to all rain. Yakutat COOP measured 5.7 inches of snow at 9am, but it had already changed to heavy rain and likely compacted the snow.

Wider weather episode

Rapidly deepening low pressure system with an occluding front caused high winds with damage over the southern inner channels and outer coast. As it moved northward overrunning heavy snow fell over the northern panhandle. This was the first of two strong storms back to back.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 871957. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.