Anchorage, AK, Shatters January Snowfall Record After Relentless Winter Storms - SnowBrains

"WeatherAnchorage has officially logged the snowiest January in its recorded history after another powerful winter storm pushed monthly snowfall totals past a long-standing record, according to data from the National Weather Service reported by Alaska Public Media and The Associated Press. As of 3 p.m. on January 27, the National Weather Service office in West Anchorage measured 39.7 inches of snow for the month, surpassing the previous January record of 34.4 inches set in 2000."

"National Weather Service climate researcher Brian Brettschneider told Alaska Public Media that the snowpack holds nearly 2.64 inches of liquid precipitation, an unusually high figure for midwinter. Brettschneider noted that Anchorage has already received as much total precipitation in January as it typically sees from the start of the year through early May, adding that there have been nearly 10 years when the city failed to reach that amount even by the end of June."

"By late afternoon, Anchorage police reported 99 vehicles in distress-commonly referred to locally as "ditch divers"-along with 36 traffic collisions, including 12 with injuries, according to the Associated Press. Schools were also affected. The Anchorage School District dismissed students early Tuesday and canceled all after-school activities, with the exception of schools in Girdwood. City snowplow crews worked around the clock to clear major roads before turning their attention to residential neighborhoods."

Anchorage received 39.7 inches of snow in January, surpassing the previous January record of 34.4 inches set in 2000. A single storm delivered 10.6 inches in one day, adding to weeks of near-constant accumulation. The snowpack contains about 2.64 inches of liquid precipitation, an unusually high midwinter total that equals typical precipitation through early May. City streets experienced dangerous conditions with 99 vehicles in distress and 36 collisions, including 12 injuries. The Anchorage School District dismissed students early and canceled after-school activities except in Girdwood. Snowplow crews worked around the clock to clear major and residential roads.

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