Heavy Snow in Eastern Baranof Island and Southern Admiralty Island, Alaska

The Hidden Falls hatchery COOP observer measured 13.0 inches of new snow for twenty-four hours ending at 1300 on 2/9 and 5.0 inches at 1300 on 2/10. Compared to the hourly observations at Angoon, Heavy snow began around 0600 on 2/9.

A 1046 MB high cell over the Yukon forced the arctic front south into Dixon Entrance. Warm moist air from the Gulf moved aloft over the front for the southern third of the Panhandle on 2/8. Due to an intense change in the upper flow pattern, the high moved southeast to Alberta while a 974 MB low developed in the eastern Gulf on 2/9 which caused heavy snow. While the snow continued, strong pressure gradients developed for gusty winds which diminished later on 2/10. Moisture continued to move aloft over the front with the heavy snow continuing on 2/10 into 2/11. A few areas continued with snow on 2/12.