Ice Storm — Inland Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

2025-12-02 · Inland Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

Event narrative

Ice accumulations of three quarters of an inch or greater occurred across the the Lower Kuskokwim River region, described as conditions not previously experienced by an Elder. A Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) reported a lot of ice accumulation over the past 2 days from December 1 to December 3. A SitRep from the SEOC reported that for Napaskiak: ice accumulation caused arcing wires and intermittent power disruptions over the weekend. The Alaska Energy Authority and the community were engaged, with power restored then lost again. A report of power disruption is Akiak was received as well. In Bethel via the ASOS (PABE), 0.29 inches of ice was observed during the 12 hour period ending at 9 AM AKST December 1.

Wider weather episode

A strong front developed at the beginning of December between a quasi-stationary area of low pressure over the southern Bering Sea and North Pacific, extending across Southwest Alaska for several days. A strong temperature gradient set up across the Kuskokwim Delta and Kuskokwim Valley as persistent northeast winds near the surface kept temperatures at ground level in the 10s and 20s. Southerly flow aloft along the frontal zone caused significant overrunning of warm air aloft above the cold air at the surface, creating a favorable atmospheric profile for freezing rain near and along the Kuskokwim River. Periods of freezing rain, sleet and snow impacted much of the southern Kuskokwim Delta from December 1st to December 3rd. Areas north of the transition zone, including Nunapitchuk and Toksook Bay, saw mostly snow and long lived blizzard conditions due to strong northeast winds gusting a strong as 50 to 70 mph at times during this same stretch.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1301340. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.