A strong low developed over the southwestern Gulf of Alaska and moved northeast across the panhandle in to northern British Columbia. Very strong southerly winds (60 to 80 mph gusts) were associated with the front as it moved over the southern half of the panhandle on the night of the 29th. One to three feet of snow fell over the northern Lynn Canal region with the low passage.  A strong band of trailing snow showers impacted the north central panhandle with up to a foot of snow as well into the night of the 30th.

Heavy Snow in MISTY FJORDS, ALASKA
From 28-JAN-09 16:00:00 to 29-JAN-09 07:00:00 (AKST-9)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Post Office

Snow showers moving onshore after a low had moved into central British Columbia persisted overnight. A public spotter report in Hyder of 14 inches of snowfall over the interior valleys.

Heavy Snow in TAIYA INLET AND KLONDIKE HIGHWAY, ALASKA
From 29-JAN-09 16:00:00 to 29-JAN-09 22:30:00 (AKST-9)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A band of heavy snow moved north over the area overnight.
1008 PM     Heavy snow       6 NE Skagway            59.54N 135.21W
01/29/2009  M10.0 inch                          AK   CO-OP observer
10 Inches of snow fall from 4 pm to to 10 pm. 3 inches fell
between 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm
0600 AM     HEAVY SNOW       6 NE Skagway            59.54N 135.21W
01/30/2009  M11.2 INCH                          AK   CO-OP observer
Reported 24 hour snowfall total of 11.2 inches with most
of the snow occurring on the evening of the 29th.

Heavy Snow in SALISBURY SOUND TO CAPE FAIRWEATHER COASTAL AREA, ALASKA
From 30-JAN-09 17:00:00 to 31-JAN-09 05:00:00 (AKST-9)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snow showers moving onshore around a low in the northern Gulf of Alaska  after a frontal passage early in the evening persisted to the early morning hours. Pelican CO-OP reported 9.0 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in HAINES BOROUGH AND LYNN CANAL, ALASKA
From 29-JAN-09 16:38:00 to 30-JAN-09 09:00:00 (AKST-9)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Bands of heavy snow moved north across the area from the evening to the following morning. Haines CO-OP reported an estimated 6 inches due to melting and rain overnight.
Local storm reports:
0735 PM     Heavy snow       40 WNW Haines           59.46N 136.49W
01/29/2009  M4.0 inch        XXX                XX   CO-OP observer
4 inches of snow at Haines Customs in last 2 hrs.
0700 AM     Heavy snow       38 NW Haines            59.63N 136.21W
01/30/2009  M32.0 INCH                          AK   CO-OP observer
Haines customs Co-op reported a storm total of 32 inches
that occurred overnight.

High Wind in SOUTHERN INNER CHANNELS, ALASKA
From 29-JAN-09 21:50:00 to 30-JAN-09 05:12:00 (AKST-9)
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A strong front moved across the panhandle overnight with very gusty winds of 60 mph with some to 80 mph between 3 am and 4 am AKST the 30th. The storm knocked out power in the Ketchikan area briefly overnight.  Alaska State Ferry LITUYA, a 180-foot vessel, broke free from its mooring in Metlakatla, Alaska, was adrift in Port Chester, and had grounded on Scrub Island.

High Wind in CAPE DECISION TO SALISBURY SOUND COASTAL AREA, ALASKA
From 29-JAN-09 21:50:00 to 30-JAN-09 01:00:00 (AKST-9)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A strong front moved across the panhandle overnight with very gusty south winds to 64 mph recorded by the Sitka ASOS at 9:53 pm and 10:53 pm AKST. Similar winds were likely found all along the coast of Baranof Island.

High Wind in DIXON ENTRANCE TO CAPE DECISION COASTAL AREA, ALASKA
From 29-JAN-09 21:50:00 to 30-JAN-09 03:00:00 (AKST-9)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A strong front moved across the panhandle overnight with very gusty winds to 64 mph at Hydaburg at 11:56 pm the 30th. There were several spotter reports as well with gusts of 50 to 60 mph.  Reports of a few trees down on the road.

Heavy Snow in JUNEAU BOROUGH AND NORTHERN ADMIRALTY ISLAND, ALASKA
From 31-JAN-09 03:19:00 to 31-JAN-09 08:54:00 (AKST-9)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snow showers moving onshore the Southeast Alaska panhandle after a frontal passage early in the evening persisted to the early morning hours.  Snow fall accumulations varied from near 5 inches to 8.5 inches of snow for a 12 hour period. A spotter at South Shelter Island and the Juneau Airport both reported 6 inches of snow. A coop south of town received 6.8 inches and Snettisham Power station reported 8.5 inches.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN CHICHAGOF ISLAND, ALASKA
From 30-JAN-09 17:00:00 to 31-JAN-09 05:00:00 (AKST-9)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snow showers moving onshore around a low in the northern Gulf of Alaska  after a frontal passage early in the evening persisted to the early morning hours. Hoonah CO-OP reported a snowfall of 9.7 inches.