Blizzard — Bristol Bay, Alaska

2023-02-27 to 2023-02-28 · Bristol Bay, Alaska

Event narrative

The Platinum AWOS recorded blizzard conditions from the evening of February 27 through the early morning hours of February 28. Winds were in excess of 30 knots (35 mph), with consistent gusts to 45 knots (52 mph). While wind observations dropped out after only 2 hours of observed blizzard-like conditions, they returned (still meeting blizzard criteria) around 1 AM AKST, just before visibility improved. This, in combination with nearby wind observations, suggests that the blizzard was sustained until the front pushed ashore and snow ended early on February 28. The Manokotak AWOS also recorded several hours of blowing snow conditions with 1/2 mile visibility or lower. Many other observing sites across the Bristol Bay region recorded at least a brief period of 1/2 mile visibility due to snow/blowing snow as the front pushed eastward through the morning hours.

Wider weather episode

An intensifying North Pacific low entered the Bering Sea during the evening of February 27, tracking northeast toward the Bering Strait. The low brought high winds to the Pribilof Islands as it passed to the north of the islands at peak intensity during the early morning hours of February 28. At the same time, its front pushed into Southwest Alaska, leading to widespread blowing snow, with blizzard conditions along the Kuskokwim Delta coast.

The front further progressed eastward into Southcentral Alaska, where it dropped heavy snow and blowing snow lead to low visibilities. This was aided by the development of a triple point low along the front in the Gulf of Alaska late on February 28 into the morning hours of March 1. Snow came to an end for most locations on March 1 as the front and newly-developed triple point low continued eastward. However, impacts continued on Kodiak Island as cold air advection on the back side of the exiting low contributed to high winds through the morning of March 2.

See next month for information on the March 2023 portion of this event.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1102696. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.