Flood — Central Arctic Plains, Alaska

2025-06-14 to 2025-06-17 · near Sagwon, Central Arctic Plains, Alaska

Event narrative

AKDOT reported extensive bank erosion and flooding from the Sag River along multiple stretches of the Dalton highway, with water overtopping roads and bridges throughout the area. As a result the Dalton highway was closed from Milepost 314-355.

Wider weather episode

During the second and third weeks of June 2025, the North Slope of Alaska experienced significant flooding as a result of rapid snowmelt. The region underwent one of its latest seasonal breakups on record, driven by persistently below-average to record-low temperatures throughout May and into early June, accompanied by continued snowfall through the first week of June. This prolonged cold period was followed by an abrupt transition to well above-average to record-high temperatures, which triggered rapid snowmelt and flooding between June 12 and 16.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (69.3781, -148.8437)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1280843. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.