Extreme Cold/Wind Chill — Lower Kobuk Valley, Alaska

2025-01-30 · Lower Kobuk Valley, Alaska

Event narrative

Selawik AWOS (PASK) reported a surface temperature of -36F and 18kt wind speed resulting in a wind chill of -70F.

Wider weather episode

A very cold upper level low tracked from the Bering Coastline of Western Alaska into the interior towards the end of the month. This resulted in periods of locally heavy snow and strong winds which brought low visibilities due to blowing snow. In addition, the coldest air of the season arrived across northern Alaska in the wake of this storm as a large Arctic high settled in behind the storm system.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1237167. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.