Blizzard in Central Beaufort Sea Coast, Alaska

Two distinct periods of blizzard conditions impacted the area. The first period began at 1500AKST on February 27 and continued through 0020AKST on February 28 at Deadhorse, with Nuiqsut observing blizzard conditions between 1545AKST and 2315AKST on the same date. The second period began at 1640AKST on February 28 and continued through 0530AKST on March 1 at Deadhorse.

During the initial wave, sustained winds of thirty-nine miles per hour with a peak wind gust of fifty-nine miles per hour and visibility less than one-quarter mile were measured by the Deadhorse ASOS (PASC) at 2053AKST on February 27. The second period of blizzard conditions developed at 1640AKST on February 28. This second wave produced sustained winds of forty miles per hour with a peak gust of fifty-six miles per hour with snow and visibility below one-quarter mile at PASC at 2253AKST on February 28.

The Blizzard Warning was downgraded to a Winter Weather Advisory at 0241AKST on February 28 then upgraded to a Blizzard Warning at 1705AKST on the same date.

A slow-moving low pressure system tracked across the Beaufort Sea, bringing prolonged blizzard conditions to the Eastern Arctic Coast from February 27 through 28. A Winter Storm Watch was issued on February 25 for zones 804 and 805. The system was upgraded to a Blizzard Warning on February 26. This system produced sustained winds and significant blowing snow that reduced visibilities to near zero for over 36 hours. The warning was cancelled on the morning of February 28, as the low pressure center weekend and shifted inland. No fatalities or injuries were reported during this episode.