Blizzard and High Wind in Alaska, December 15 to 16, 2001

A deepening low in the northwest Gulf of Alaska brought strong northwest winds to parts of Kodiak Island. This same low also pulled cold arctic air seaward from the mainland through Resurrection Bay.Brisk north winds, combined with heavy snow at times, were reported around the Seward area Saturday. Visibilities as low as 1/4 mile were reported by the Seward ASOS...however lower visibilities and whiteout conditions were phoned in by the Seward police. Worst visibilities reported at the Seward automated site were as low as a quarter of a mile due to heavy snow...along with north wind gusts up to 47 mph and apparent blowing snow.Precipitation counter at the Seward ASOS again gave conflicting information. Total recorded snowfall from the automated system was a trace, however Seward police reported 6"-12" of new snow. Up around Moose Pass accumulations reached close to a foot, with snow falling at a rate of 2"-3" per hour at times.On Kodiak Island, Sitkinak was the only station (of 2 currently available on Kodiak Island) that reached warning wind levels. Northwest wind gusts reached 81 mph at Sitkinak at 1:00 pm AST Sunday, 12/16/01. Indications are that criteria were met on the Shelikof Strait side of the Island also.