Blizzard — Alaska Peninsula, Alaska

2025-04-11 to 2025-04-14 · Alaska Peninsula, Alaska

Event narrative

The False Pass ASOS (PAKF) reported heavy snow, winds gusting to over 40 mph, and visibilities less than a quarter of a mile starting at 7:36 AM AKDT on April 13th and continuing until 11:15 AM AKDT the same day. The Cold Bay ASOS (PACD) reported similar conditions from 9:20 AM AKDT April 13th until 11:55 AM AKDT the same day.

Wider weather episode

A duo of low pressure systems were meandering around one another in the Eastern Bering and Southwestern Alaska mainland regions on April 11th. Associated frontal systems drove strong winds and heavy precipitation to the Eastern Aleutians, Kuskokwim Delta coast, Western Capes of Bristol Bay, and the Alaska Peninsula. Winds remained northerly in the Bering, allowing precipitation to remain as snow due to cold air advection. Blowing snow resulted from the strong winds and heavy snowfall in the Alaska Peninsula. This reduced visibilities for several hours in Cold Bay and False Pass. The lows merged as they tracked east, setting up a deformation band in the Alaska Peninsula. As a result, improvements in weather were delayed until the night of April 13th. As the low pushed into the Gulf of Alaska, winds channeled through the Turnagain Arm, driving gusty winds into the Anchorage Hillside on April 14th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1256836. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.