Blizzard in Western Arctic Coast, Alaska

Blizzard conditions impacted the Western Arctic Coast. The Point Lay LRRS Airport AWOS (PPIZ) reported visibility of one-quarter mile or less in heavy snow and freezing fog beginning at 0800AKST on February 21, 2026. The third hour of continuous blizzard conditions was met at 1100AKST. During the peak of the event, PPIZ measured sustained winds of thirty-eight miles per hour with a peak gust of forty-eight miles per hour. While the Point Hope ASOS (PAPO) lacked a functional visibility sensor to verify blizzard criteria, the station frequently recorded wind gusts exceeding fifty miles per hour. Additionally, the Cape Lisburne LRRS Airport (PALU) recorded a peak wind gust of eighty-seven miles per hour during the height of the storm. Observations at Point Lay indicated blizzard conditions through 1625AKST on February 21, followed by a brief improvement until 1735AKST. Visibilities fell below one-quarter mile again at 1741AKST, with occasional gusts over thirty-five miles per hour continuing through 1830AKST. The event concluded at 1934AKST. No fatalities, injuries, or property damage were reported.

A winter storm system tracked across the West Coast, North Slope, and Interior Alaska from February 20 through February 25, 2026. The episode began with widespread blizzard conditions impacting the West Coast and North Slope regions, where powerful winds and significant blowing snow reduced visibilities to near zero. As the system pushed inland, it transitioned into a heavy snow event for the Central and Eastern Interior. Notable snowfall reports included thirteen and one-half inches measured northwest of Ester and nearly nine inches reported by storm spotters in the Tanana Valley. Additionally, measurements from the Nenana Snotel indicated a seven-inch snow depth increase over a twenty-four-hour period during the height of the storm. These conditions created hazardous travel and significant impacts to infrastructure across the state. No fatalities or injuries were reported during this episode.