Blizzard — Central Arctic Plains, Alaska

2025-12-12 to 2025-12-13 · Central Arctic Plains, Alaska

Event narrative

DOT/Alaska 511 reported blizzard conditions on their webpage, with the Dalton Highway closed near Sagwon at 1104 on 12/12/25. The reported estimated 8 inches of total snow with sites to the north, east, and south reporting 70 to 100 mph winds. Cloudy skies, falling snow, strong winds, and blizzard/whiteout conditions continued for many continuous hours and ended at 0614 on 12/13/25.

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 1306974. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.