Blizzard in Bristol Bay, Alaska

The Cape Newenham ASOS station (PAEH) observed 0 to quarter mile visibilities with winds gusting to over 55 mph from 9:00 AM AKST January 30th to 1:00 AM AKST January 31st. Webcams in Goodnews Bay revealed near whiteout conditions at 10:30 AM on January 30th.

The Kuskokwim Delta coast and the western capes of Bristol Bay were affected by a shortwave trough moving in from the Bering Sea ahead of a ridge. Gusty gale force winds and heavy snowfall resulted as the trough moved inland. These factors led to blizzard conditions as well as very cold wind chills that impacted the aforementioned regions. Residual cold air from a prior Arctic low was another factor in the formation of these weather events. Whiteout conditions affected various communities across the coastal Kuskokwim Delta and the western capes of Bristol Bay for several hours on January 30th.