Blizzard — Northwest Arctic Coast, Alaska

2025-12-11 to 2025-12-12 · Northwest Arctic Coast, Alaska

Event narrative

The Atqasuk AWOS (PATQ) met blizzard criteria at 2245 on 12/11/25. Blizzard conditions continued for more than 3 continuous hours, but wind data was lost at 0355 on 12/12/25. The peak observation at PATQ was a peak wind gust of 55 mph with visibility less than 1/4 miles at 2050 on 12/11/25.

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 1306314. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.