Blizzard — Wrn P.w. Snd & Kenai Mtns, Alaska

2020-12-21 to 2020-12-23 · Wrn P.w. Snd & Kenai Mtns, Alaska

Event narrative

SNOTEL observations at Turnagain Pass, AK indicated as much as 25 inches of snow fell in a 18 hour period. This heavy snow coincided with high winds, which producing Blizzard conditions and extremely difficult driving conditions along the Sterling Highway through Turnagain pass. These winds were so strong, that ridge top wind gusts above the SNOTEL were observed to be in excess of 120 mph for over 6 hours.

Wider weather episode

An active and progressive weather pattern brought widespread impacts to most of Southcentral Alaska from December 20-22 2020. Impacts from this system included blizzard conditions and high avalanche danger in the Turnagain Pass area of the Kenai Peninsula. High winds also occurred in the Anchorage Bowl from this system, where over 2000 power outages were reported.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 930740. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.