Blizzard — Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast, Alaska

2025-12-11 to 2025-12-14 · Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast, Alaska

Event narrative

The Point Thomson AWOS (PAAD) reported meeting blizzard criteria at 0555 on 12/12/25 and continued through 0355 on 12/14/25. The AWOS site reported wind gust values above 60 mph and very low visibility less than 1/4 miles for more than 3 continuous hours.

Wider weather episode

A Siberian low moving from west to east across the Arctic Coast brought heavy snow, strong winds, and cold temperatures to much of the North Slope, the northern Seward Peninsula, and Kotzebue Sound. Widespread blizzard conditions developed when falling snow and strong winds coincided, in addition to ground blizzards in areas where there was significant amounts of blowable snow. Impacts included highway closures, whiteout conditions, and very strong wind gusts.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1306313. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.