Blizzard — Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

2024-02-21 · Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

Event narrative

The Mekoryuk AWOS recorded over 3 hours of winds gusting between 35 and 40 mph and 1/4 mile visibility in snow/blowing snow between 9:30 AM and 1:20 PM AKST 2/21. Low visibility down to 1/2 mile also pushed inland to Bethel for a short time as the frontal system producing the more severe conditions along the coast moved inland later in the day on 2/21.

Wider weather episode

A frontal system moving into the Southwest Alaska coast produced areas of snow and blowing snow as it moved across the Kuskokwim Delta and Bristol Bay on February 21st. The worst conditions were focused over Nunivak Island, where several hours of blizzard conditions were observed on the early morning of 2/21. Conditions nearly as severe were observed with gusty southeast winds ahead of the front along with falling and blowing snow across Bristol Bay, mainly out in Koliganek.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1163429. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.