Blizzard and Heavy Snow in Alaska, January 22 to 23, 2002

Map features affecting the warning areas basically centered on a large complex low...988 mbs...centered north of Cold Bay.Winds on the south and west sides of the low reached warning levels around Dutch Harbor. Blizzard conditions in blowing snow and gusty, near warning level, winds from the west were reported along the Alaska Peninsula.Moderate snowfall was reported along the back side of the low across the Pribilofs.Seven reefer vans flipped over in the yard at the City of Dutch Harbor dock. Another five were damaged by contact with the 'flying' vans. Wind reports likely did not catch the actual winds that caused the damage. The Port Director, Jim Severns, reported the city dock is on the lee of a mountain. He mentioned that during north to west winds this (sic) creates some very interesting vortices, or 'air bombs'...as they are referred to. He also reported that container vans 'going over' are a fairly common occurrence around Dutch Harbor.181 - Visibilities frequently below 1/4 mile in heavy snow, blowing snow and reported fog at Cold Bay, with peak winds reaching 55 mph from the west between 6 and 7 pm Wednesday.185 - Gusts reached 62 mph from the northwest between 5 and 6 pm Tuesday. Augmented reports were unavailable after 9 pm (winds still at warning levels).195 - Reported 8 inches during 24 hours at Saint Paul.