Blizzard — Central Beaufort Sea Coast, Alaska

2025-04-17 · Central Beaufort Sea Coast, Alaska

Event narrative

The Deadhorse ASOS (PASC) reported blizzard conditions for approximately 12 hours with consistent wind gusts of 35 to 40 mph and visibilities at or below one quarter mile in blowing snow. The peak wind gust was reported to be 44 mph.

Wider weather episode

A strong low from the North Pacific moved into Bristol Bay sending a warm front north through the Interior where strong Chinook winds developed through the Alaska Range gaps and up into the central interior of Alaska. Meanwhile strong high pressure over the Beaufort Sea helped produce strong east winds along the Arctic coastline of the North Slope resulting in blizzard conditions across much of the arctic coastline of Alaska.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1257594. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.