Heavy Snow in Goldstream Valley and Nenana Hills, Alaska

A heavy snow event impacted the Goldstream Valley and Nenana Hills, where a winter storm warning was in effect from 1027AKST on February 21 through 1159AKST on February 24, 2026. The Keystone Ridge Cooperative Observer site (KERA2) recorded an increase in snow depth from thirty-three inches at 1200AKST on February 21 to thirty-five inches at 1200AKST on February 22, then reaching forty-one inches at 1200AKST on February 23. A public report northwest of Ester confirmed thirteen and one-half inches of snow accumulation. The peak of the event occurred at 1716AKST on February 22 at the Fairbanks International Airport (PAFA), where the station reported three-quarters of a mile visibility in light snow and mist. The first verifying observation for the heavy snow occurred at 1155AKST on February 24. 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.