Blizzard — Alaska Peninsula, Alaska

2025-01-26 to 2025-01-27 · Alaska Peninsula, Alaska

Event narrative

The False Pass ASOS Station (PAKF) had heavy snow, quarter mile visibility, and winds gusting to over 35 mph beginning 4:25 AM AKST on January 26th. The wind sensor stopped reporting at 7:00 AM AKST the same day, but quarter mile visibilities continued until 8:35 AM AKST. Webcams in False Pass confirmed this low visibility.

Wider weather episode

From January 23rd to January 26th, a cluster of low pressure systems with multiple separate centers moved into the Bering Sea. Parts of this cluster included a low with two centers that moved in from the west and a north Pacific Low that rose from the Southwest. As they approached the Southwestern Alaskan mainland, a frontal system set up and pressure gradients oriented in such a way that winds became gusty in the Alaska Peninsula during the afternoon hours of January 23rd. The lows combined and took a northerly turn on the 24th. The frontal system remained in place for the next two days and another north Pacific low rose from the south on January 25th. The low stalled out over the Alaska Peninsula and took advantage of an atmospheric river to drive heavy snowfall into Southwest and Southcentral Alaska through January 26th. A period of gusty winds were also felt in the Anchorage region on January 25th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1241916. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.