Blizzard in Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast, Alaska

Winds increased during the early morning hours of October 18th, with gusts reaching to 45 mph. Falling snow in conjunction with the strong winds resulted in blizzard conditions at Point Thompson (PAAD), where visibility dropped below a quarter of a mile.

The combination of broad upper level troughing and a series of embedded shortwaves in the flow moving across the eastern Beaufort Sea coast, enhanced the Bernoulli effect west winds along the coast. Strong westerly winds developed in conjunction with falling snow, resulting in blizzard conditions along the coast.