Blizzard — Central Beaufort Sea Coast, Alaska

2025-05-05 · Central Beaufort Sea Coast, Alaska

Event narrative

PASC (Deadhorse) did not reach Blizzard Criteria and webcams showed much of the visibility reduction was due to fog and less so to blowing snow. However 511 reports (Alaska DOT) and blowing snow satellite products indicated blizzard conditions. 511 Report had peak wind of 52 mph, large snow drift near MM392 and visibility down to 1 delineator, approximately 500 feet.

Wider weather episode

In early May a weather pattern developed that placed a strong high over the Arctic Ocean and a strong low in the northern Gulf of Alaska. This resulted in rather windy conditions across much of northern Alaska. Due to the time of year, there was not a lot of blowable snow on the ground along the coastline, but further away from the coast and along the Dalton Highway there was enough snow for the strong winds to produce blowing snow and very poor visibilities for a short period of time.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1266468. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.