Blizzard — Southern Denali Borough, Alaska

2026-01-11 · Southern Denali Borough, Alaska

Event narrative

A Vitus (Energy Company) employee reported whiteout conditions with drifting and blowing snow at 07:58L on 1/11/26. They also estimated approximately 8 inches of snow had fallen, but couldn't verify because of the on-going blowing snow conditions. A DOT report at 07:53L on 1/11/26 later estimated as much as 12 inches of snow had fallen in and around Cantwell, with heavy blowing/drifting snow and gusty winds.

Wider weather episode

A low pressure system in the Gulf of Alaska pushed a strong frontal boundary northward into central Alaska bringing widespread snowfall and blizzard conditions. Winds strengthened ahead of the front, producing gusty winds through Alaska Range Passes and Dalton Highway Summits. Snowfall moved through the Interior from southeast to northwest, with the highest accumulations across the Alaska Range. Blizzard conditions developed in areas where falling snow and gusty winds were present. Effects from this storm were seen as far south as the Alaska Range, to as far north as the central/eastern Brooks Range.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1313701. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.