Blizzard — Western Arctic Coast, Alaska

2024-01-15 to 2024-01-17 · Western Arctic Coast, Alaska

Event narrative

Blizzard conditions developed at Cape Lisburne early in the morning on the 15th and continued into the afternoon on the 17th. Cape Lisburne reported a peak wind gust of 101 mph during the event.

Wider weather episode

A 984 mb area of low pressure moved north through the Bering Sea on January 16th, and into the southern Chukchi Sea on the 17th. This weather system brought high winds, snow and blowing snow to the west coast of Alaska. After the low moved into the Chuckhi Sea, a strong area of high pressure built in behind it allowing strong winds to continue over northwest Alaska.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1160742. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.