Heavy Snow — Anchorage Muni To Bird Creek, Alaska

2020-02-18 to 2020-02-19 · Anchorage Muni To Bird Creek, Alaska

Event narrative

Eagle River Nature Center reported 22.5 inches of new snow in 24 hours. Anchorage Forecast office recorded 10 inches of new snow. Anchorage School District cancelled afternoon activities, Girdwood Schools were cancelled for the following day, and there were multiple accidents along the Glenn Highway.

Wider weather episode

A strong low pressure system with a central pressure around 964 mb approached the west coast of Alaska, bringing several fronts across the southern mainland ahead of it. Along the West Coast, strong winds around the low center combined with heavy snowfall to cause blizzard conditions. Meanwhile, east of the Alaska Range, very strong winds preceded the front, while behind the front, heavy snow fell across much of Southcentral. Funneling through channeled areas enhanced visibility problems to bring Blizzard conditions to Thompson Pass.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 879431. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.