High Wind and Heavy Snow Case: A 958 MB storm center moved into the Western Gulf on the afternoon of Wed. Dec. 27th with strong warm advection over all of SE Alaska. Strong surface pressure gradients formed along the outer coast. Cold air remained in a fairly deep layer over the Northern Panhandle which finally warmed on Friday Dec 29th. This overrunning caused heavy snow in the higher elevations around the Northern end of Lynn Canal and into White Pass. A 944 MB Storm Force Low 200 NM west of the Queen Charlottes moved into the Eastern Gulf Friday Afternoon Dec. 29th then recurved back to Middleton Island while weakening.

High Wind in SALISBURY SOUND TO CAPE FAIRWEATHER COASTAL AREA, ALASKA
From 28-DEC-06 18:00:00 to 29-DEC-06 15:00:00 (AKST-9)
Magnitude: 43.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Cape Spencer Lighthouse had M43 KT sustained wind at 2123 AKST 12/28. Surface analyses indicated that surface pressure gradients were extreme in this case. Although unverfied, gusts to 80 KT could have readily occurred along the coastal headlands to the south of Cape Spencer.

High Wind in CAPE DECISION TO SALISBURY SOUND COASTAL AREA, ALASKA
From 28-DEC-06 18:00:00 to 29-DEC-06 15:00:00 (AKST-9)
Magnitude: 64.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Buoy

NDBC moored buoy 46084 had a measured gust of 64 KT in high seas at
0300 AKST 12/29. It is well known that in high seas the gusts usually equal the sustained wind speed. Add coastal accelerations and the headlands could have had wind speeds around 100 MPH. Sitka ASOS had MG 56 MPH at 0753 AKST 12/29.

Heavy Snow in MISTY FJORDS, ALASKA
From 28-DEC-06 01:00:00 to 29-DEC-06 23:00:00 (AKST-9)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A CO-OP observer in Hyder measured 10.0 inches of new snowfall in the 24 hours ending at 0830 AKST 12/29.

Heavy Snow in TAIYA INLET AND KLONDIKE HIGHWAY, ALASKA
From 28-DEC-06 15:30:00 to 29-DEC-06 12:00:00 (AKST-9)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Our Skagway CO-OP observer measured 3.5 inches ending 0700 AKST 12/29. The Alaska DOT (15 miles North of Skagway) reported that 8 to 10 inches of new snowfall fell on the Klondike Highway for the 24 hours ending at 0830 AKST 12/29.

High Wind in SOUTHERN INNER CHANNELS, ALASKA
From 28-DEC-06 01:00:00 to 29-DEC-06 23:00:00 (AKST-9)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Ketchikan (PAKT) at 1801 AKST 12/28 observed a measured gust of 54 KT.
WSO Annette (PANT) at 2116 AKST 12/28 observed a measured gust of 60 MPH.
Ketchikan (PAKT) at 2132 AKST 12/28 observed a peak wind speed 66 MPH.

High Wind in DIXON ENTRANCE TO CAPE DECISION COASTAL AREA, ALASKA
From 27-DEC-06 23:00:00 to 29-DEC-06 12:00:00 (AKST-9)
Magnitude: 87.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Our Craig spotter reported gusts of 69 MPH that occurred overnight prior to 0800 AKST 12/28. Surface analyses indicate that extreme surface pressure gradients developed across the area during the night of 12/27 and persisted through the morning of 12/29. Hydaburg AWOS 0256 AKST 12/29 MG 84 MPH. The USFS CO-OP observer in Craig estimated gusts to 100 MPH on the afternoon of the 28th. The observer states that gusts at her home in Craig were 80-90 MPH. The strong wind lasted until 5 AM 12/29.

Heavy Snow in HAINES BOROUGH AND LYNN CANAL, ALASKA
From 27-DEC-06 16:00:00 to 28-DEC-06 12:00:00 (AKST-9)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The Haines Customs CO-OP observer measured 5.5 inches new snow for 24 hrs. ending 0700 AKST 12/28. It is possible that higher elevations received lots more snowfall on the night of the 27th into the 28th. For the 24 hours ending 0700 AKST 12/29, Customs measured 19.0 inches. (see next instance of Heavy Snow for Zone 019).

Heavy Snow in HAINES BOROUGH AND LYNN CANAL, ALASKA
From 28-DEC-06 06:15:00 to 29-DEC-06 12:00:00 (AKST-9)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Haines Customs CO-OP observed 19 inches new snowfall for 24 hours ending
0700 AKST 12/29. Part of this heavy snow may have occurred during the morning after the measurement on 12/28 was made.