Blizzard and Heavy Snow in Alaska, January 28 to 29, 2002

A strong, North Pacific low, with central pressure as low as 979 mbs at 9 pm Monday, and its associated frontal system, were responsible for the winds and snow across the southwest Alaska mainland and the Aleutians. The low...some 300 miles south southwest of Dutch Harbor early Monday...moved just south southeast of Cold Bay by 9 pm Monday then as a 985 mb center about 70 miles south southeast of Sitkinak Tuesday.155 - Blizzard conditions were reported at Bethel at 4 pm Monday. Peak northeast wind gusts reached 38 mph. Visibilities improved above 1/4 mile after 5:05 am Tuesday. No other stations in the zone reported blizzard conditions.161 - Snow began at Togiak early Monday, became heavier by mid morning, and continued through Monday night. By 3 pm Tuesday, most of the heavy snow had ended. At Dillingham, snow began very early Monday, heavy at times 5 and 6 am, finally letting up in intensity early Tuesday. Flight Service personnel in Dillingham reported 14 inches of snow overnight Monday/Tuesday. Snowfall at King Salmon, however, only reached 3 inches overnight Monday/Tuesday.181 - Although wind gusts at reporting stations never reached much above 40 mph, blizzard conditions began just before 5 am Tuesday. Blizzard conditions across the Alaska Peninsula probably lingered into the late Tuesday afternoon/early evening.185 - Peak winds hit 61 mph at Dutch Harbor at 5:39 pm Monday. High winds probably continued in parts of the zone into the wee hours of Tuesday.