Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena - CIG

ALASKA, SouthernAKZ010-019>021 Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta - Central Gulf Coast - Kodiak Island-Eastern Alaska Peninsula - Western AlaskaPeninsula26270000AST2359AST0 0High Wind (G50)A moderate 967mb low moved northwest through the Gulf of Alaska toward Kodiak where it began to weaken early Tuesday.Easterly wind gusts to the north and northeast of the low reached close to 60 mph just offshore from Prince William SoundMonday. The storm also caused 10 inches of new snow at Kodiak, a record for the date.AMERICAN SAMOANOT RECEIVED.ARIZONA, Central and NortheastAZZ004AZZ015>017AZZ015-018AZZ004-006-009>011-015>018Storm Data and Unusual Weather PhenomenaTimeLocal/PathLengthPathWidthNumber ofPersonsEstimatedDamageLocation Date Standard (Miles) (Yards) Killed Injured Property Crops Character of StormJanuary 1997Kaibab Plateau02 2230MST0 0Heavy Snow03 1300MSTA quick storm dropped heavy wet snow overnight on the Kaibab Plateau. The deepest snowfall amount was reported 18 milessouth of Jacob Lake where 16 inches of snow fell at about 8500 feet MSL.Western Mogollon Rim - Eastern Mogollon Rim - White Mountains06 0500MST0 0Winter Storm07 1000MSTA major winter storm brought heavy snow mainly along the Mogollon Rim and the White Mountains. In the Western MogollonRim (AZZ015) Doney Park (eastern Flagstaff) received 7 inches of snow with some blowing snow and the Arizona Snowbowl skiarea (7 N ofFlagstaff) received 14 inches of new snow at 10,800 feet. In the Eastern Mogollon rim (AZZ016) Happy Jack received8 inches of new snow. In the White Mountains (AZZ018) Alpine received 14 inches and the Sunrise ski area on Baldy Peakreported 24 inches of new snow. This storm brought some high winds with areas of blowing and drifting snow which closed somestate roads in the Mogollon Rim i southern Coconino and Navajo Counties.Western Mogollon Rim - Northern Gila06 1800MST0 0High Wind (G54)2200MSTHigh winds, associated with the January 06-07 winter storm, were reported in Pine, in Northwestern Gila County. A peak gust of62 MPH/54 Knots was recorded at 6:53 PM MST. Law enforcement reported many trees knocked over causing power andtelephone outages. Trees blocked a dozen roads and fell on 2 houses causing minor damage. A tree fell on one car causingsignificant damage. Similiarly, in the Arizona Snowbowl ski area, just north of Flagstaff, high winds occurred around 9:00 PMcausing trees to fall on powerlines. No wind speed was recorded, but the winds were estimated in excess of 50 knots.Kaibab Plateau - Grand Canyon Country - Northeast Plateaus And Mesas - Chinle Valley - ChuskaMountains And Defiance Plateau - Western Mogollon Rim - Eastern Mogollon Rim - White Mountains -Northern Gila12 0800MST4 0Winter Storm14 2300MSTPerhaps the largest snow storm of the decade brought heavy snow to most of northern Arizona. Heavy snow fell from earlySunday morning, the 12th, through last Tuesday night, the 14th. Four deaths from exposure occurred during, or immediately afterthe storm, on the Navajo Nation Reservation and were directly related to this catastropic winter storm. The Governor of Arizonadeclared a State of Emergency for Coconino, Gila and Navajo counties on Tuesday the 14th.Following the storm, National Guard trucks and helicopters were needed to evacuate people on the Navajo Nation who requiredmedical attention due to chronic medical problems and who were unable to obtain needed medication. National Guard helicoptersalso dropped food to people and livestock who were stranded for several days following the storm.Unofficial snow accumulations up to 6 feet were reported along the Mogollon Rim in extreme southeastern Coconino county.Very strong winds created drifts as high as 10 feet at many wind-prone areas across northern Arizona.Numerous trees fell on cars, houses and roads causing power outages and property damage. Hundreds of miles of major highwayswere closed mainly along the Mogollon Rim and the White Mountains area. Highways surrounding Flagstaff were the mostaffected. Interstate 40 from Winslow to Ashfork and Interstate 17 from Cordes Junction to Flagstaff were closed from noonMonday, Jan. 13 through 6 AM MST, Wednesday, Jan. 15. Over 200 vehicles were stranded on these two highways.The heavy snow in Flagstaff caused Northern Arizona University to close for the first time in 20 years. Flagstaff public schoolswere closed for five days. This was the 12th biggest snow storm in Flagstaff's 100 years of weather records.In the Western Mogollon Rim (AZZ015): unofficial snowfall of 38 inches was reported in Flagstaff. Official amounts included30.8 inches at Bellemont, 26 inches in Doney Park with 5 foot drifts, 25 inches in Sunset Crater and 28 inches at Walnut Canyon.A higher elevations, Hart Prairie received 42 inches and the local ski area reported 51 inches of new snow. Winds as high as 50MPH caused considerable blowing and drifting snow.12 19