An arctic high was in place over northwest Canada and southeast Alaska. A weather system moved across the Gulf of Alaska and onshore the southeast panhandle...creating an overrunning snow event and  blizzard conditions over northern Lynn Canal region.

Heavy Snow in MISTY FJORDS, ALASKA
From 03-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 05-JAN-09 08:00:00 (AKST-9)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A frontal band moved onshore over Southeast the night of 3 Jan, developing an overrunning snow event for the central and southern panhandle into the following afternoon. It began to snow heavily the afternoon the 3rd and persisted into the morning of the 5th. Hidden Inlet CO-OP reported 16.4 inches the morning of the 4th with an additional 10.6 inches /27 inch storm total/ for the event. Stewart BC right across the border from Hyder reported 19.7 inches for roughly the same time.

Heavy Snow in INNER CHANNELS FROM KUPREANOF ISLAND TO ETOLIN ISLAND, ALASKA
From 04-JAN-09 00:00:00 to 04-JAN-09 13:30:00 (AKST-9)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

A frontal band moved onshore southeast the night of 3 Jan, developing an overrunning snow event for the central and southern panhandle into the following afternoon. It began to snow heavily over the northern portions of Kupreanof Island. A spotter reported the morning of the 4th that they had received 5.75 inches of snow in 12 hours at Petersburg. Total snow fall in Petersburg for the event was 7.5 inches.

Blizzard in TAIYA INLET AND KLONDIKE HIGHWAY, ALASKA
From 04-JAN-09 09:45:00 to 04-JAN-09 23:30:00 (AKST-9)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Light to moderate snowfall combined with very strong winds with sustained 30 to 40 mph with gusts of 50 to 70 mph, reduced visibilities to near zero for periods of times along the Klondike Highway and in Skagway.
Local storm reports:
0930 AM     Blizzard         8 N Skagway             59.57N 135.33W
01/04/2009                                      AK   CO-OP Observer
Skagway customs reporting 1/8 mi visibility in blowing
snow. Estimated wind speed 35 MPH with higher gusts.
Temperature 4 below zero. Wind chill -33F.
0930 AM     Blizzard         15 NE Skagway           59.61N 135.03W
01/04/2009                                           Dept of Highways
At 930 AM the Klondike highway road condition report
issued by AKDOT reported 1/4 mi visibility, 4 inces new
snow overnight, temperature of -17, sustained wind of 25
MPH with wind chill of 47 below zero.
0938 AM     Blizzard         Skagway                 59.45N 135.33W
01/04/2009                                      AK   ASOS
Skagway ASOS reporting 3/4 mi visibility in -SNSQ. Wind
is 050 at 43 MPH with peak gusts of 61 MPH. Temperature
is 4F with wind chill of -23F.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN BARANOF ISLAND AND SOUTHERN ADMIRALTY ISLAND, ALASKA
From 03-JAN-09 05:00:00 to 04-JAN-09 15:30:00 (AKST-9)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A frontal band moved onshore over Southeast Alaska the night of 3 Jan, developing an overrunning snow event for the central and southern panhandle starting early on the 3rd into the following afternoon. Hidden Falls, a CO-OP station on eastern Baranof Island reported, for roughly a 60 hour period ending at 05/1700 they received 35.1 inches of snow.  The bulk of the snow fell from the evening of the 3rd to 4th.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN INNER CHANNELS, ALASKA
From 03-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-09 11:00:00 (AKST-9)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

A frontal band moved onshore over Southeast the night of 3 Jan, developing an overrunning snow event for the central and southern panhandle into the following afternoon. The heavier snow started early in the evening on the 3rd and persisted into the following morning with slowly warming temperatures that changed the snow over to rain late in the morning hours. Annette Weather Service Office reported a snow total of 6 inches, with a spotter about 12 miles north of Ketchikan reported a total of 7 inches before it changed to rain.

Blizzard in HAINES BOROUGH AND LYNN CANAL, ALASKA
From 04-JAN-09 15:30:00 to 04-JAN-09 20:00:00 (AKST-9)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Light to moderate snowfall leading up to and through the event.  Strong sustained north winds to 25 mph with gusts of 35 to 50 mph...and locally stronger along Lynn Canal south of Haines, reduced visibilites to near zero for several periods during the afternoon and evening.