Blizzard — Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

2023-02-10 · Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

Event narrative

Kipnuk AWOS began experiencing ground blizzard conditions at 3 AM AKST 2/10. The site experienced visibility to 1/4 mile or less with sustained northeast winds above 35 mph from 3:00 AM to 10:25 AM AKST, after which the visibility sensor dropped out. Staff at the Bethel Weather Service Office called to report 1/4 mi visibility ongoing for at least an hour at 11 AM AKST 2/10.

Wider weather episode

A strong low pressure and frontal system moved up from the North Pacific and along the Aleutians while it's associated front moved up the Alaska Peninsula, then past Kodiak Island and into the southern Mainland. Various impacts were felt across large portions of the southern Alaska and Bering areas, ranging from blizzard conditions across the Pribilof Islands and Kuskokwim Delta to heavy snow and blowing snow across Bristol Bay, Kodiak Island and much of the Kenai Peninsula. Well entrenched Arctic air sitting in place across most of Mainland Alaska out ahead of this system helped to support a large baroclinic zone along and ahead of this system's frontal feature, supporting the moderate snowfall totals observed across Bristol Bay, Kodiak Island and portions of the Kenai Peninsula.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1100043. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.