Blizzard in Shishmaref, Alaska

The Shishmaref AWOS (PASH) first reported blizzard conditions at 11:20L on 2/16 and continued through 00:15L on 2/17. Blizzard conditions were met at 14:44L on 2/16. Sustained winds were at or above 35 mph with visibilities at or below 1/4 miles for well over 3 hours. A peak observation was recorded at 22:44L on 2/16 with heavy snow, sustained winds at 44 mph gusting to 51 mph, and 1/4 mile visibility.

A strong Bering Sea low moves into the Gulf of Anadyr, allowing for a strong front to move into Western Alaska. As the front approached the West Coast, strong east/southeast winds brought blizzard and whiteout conditions to much of the Seward Peninsula south. A secondary push of moisture brought by a shortwave system pushed off the Bering Sea low allowed for widespread heavy snow across St. Lawrence Island, the southern Seward Peninsula, and parts of the Western Interior. As the front pushed eastward across the state, snow squalls developed over portions of the Central Interior, leading to periods of heavy snowfall and gusty winds.