Blizzard — Central Beaufort Sea Coast, Alaska

2025-02-05 to 2025-02-06 · Central Beaufort Sea Coast, Alaska

Event narrative

Blizzard conditions began in the late evening and continued well into the night at Nuiqsut (PAQT). Observations consistently showed 40 mph winds gusts and visibility at around 1/4 mile. ASOS observations were lost overnight, but webcams provided visual reference that the blizzard conditions continued well into the night.

Wider weather episode

High pressure building north into Alaska created a strong gradient across northwestern Alaska, resulting in a fetch of strong east winds along the North Slope where blowing snow created blizzard conditions while storm fore winds blew parallel to the Northwest Arctic and Bering coastlines.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1237304. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.