Heavy Snow and High Wind in Alaska, April 29 to 30, 1999

A moderate frontal system, stretching from the extreme western Aleutians into the western Bering Sea late Wednesday afternoon continued northeastward during the next 24 hours. By late Thursday afternoon, the front extended from the western tip of the Seward Peninsula to Bethel then southwestward into the Bering to a position near Kiska Island in the western Aleutians.The front was preceded by gusty southwest winds in the Aleutians. Winds locally continued to blow across the central Aleutians around the parent low. Wind gusts above 40 mph began on Thursday at Adak. Adjusted ASOS gusts reached 79 mph at Adak Friday morning as post frontal winds continued to blow around the parent low to the west. Wind gusts of 40 mph or stronger continued through midnight Friday at Adak. Dutch Harbor recorded southwest wind gusts around 40 mph Thursday afternoon.Along the western tip of Bristol Bay, gusty south winds preceded the front. At Cape Newenham, adjusted AWOS gusts reached 73 mph just before noon Thursday. Frontal passage there occurred between 8 pm Thursday and midnight Thursday, after which time winds abruptly shifted west and diminished to around 15 mph.Across the Kuskokwim Delta, windy conditions were more widespread. Brisk south winds preceded the front, affecting nearly all reporting stations in the zone. Highest winds were recorded at the Saint Mary's ASOS, where adjusted gusts reached 67 mph. Frontal passage here, too, occurring close to 3 pm Thursday, was marked by an abrupt diminishing of the wind. At Bethel, adjusted ASOS gusts reached 56 mph Thursday afternoon, with frontal passage occurring just prior to 6 pm Thursday.Along the Anchorage Upper Hillside, wind gusts reached 60 mph early Friday. Snow was also reported in areas adjacent to Turnagain Arm and along the Anchorage hillside.In the Susitna Valley, heavy snow was reported at both Talkeetna and Chulitna from midnight to noon Friday. Amounts around Talkeetna ranged from 2 to 6 inches, however nearly 12 inches fell around Chulitna and along the Petersville Road.