Blizzard — Western Arctic Coast, Alaska

2023-02-24 · Western Arctic Coast, Alaska

Event narrative

Point Lay reported several hours of blizzard conditions. Blizzard conditions developed early in the morning hours and continued into the evening. The blizzard conditions at Point Lay were accompanied by wind gusts as high as 51 mph. Elsewhere, Wainwright reported strong winds all day with as high as 54 mph. The visibility in Wainwright was under a one mile for most of the day due to blowing snow, with the visibility occasionally dropping to as low as one quarter mile.

Wider weather episode

A strong front wrapping around a deep low in the Bering Sea moves northward bringing blizzard conditions to the North Slope.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1083743. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.