Blizzard — Romanzof Mountains, Alaska

2025-12-12 to 2025-12-13 · Romanzof Mountains, Alaska

Event narrative

The USARRAY D25KX mesonet site reported numerous wind gusts from 75 to 101 mph between 1210 on 12/12/25 to 2310 on 12/12/25. The D25KX mesonet site reported sustained winds at 50 mph, gusts of 101 mph before the warning was issued with a 100 mph gust observed at 1805 on 12/12/25. The Imnaviat Creek SNOTEL reported 7 inches of snow between 0500 on 12/12/25 to 0500 12/13/25, with higher snow amounts likely towards the east where there was more upslope mountain flow. Given that there was a road closure along the Dalton Highway, 0 mile visibility at Point Thomson for nearly 48 continuous hours, heavy snow reports, and very strong wind gusts, blizzard conditions were safely assumed to have occured.

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 1306986. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.