Blizzard in St. Lawrence Island, Alaska

The Gambell AWOS (PAGM) first reported blizzard conditions at 12:29L on 2/16 and continued through 20:35L on 2/16. Blizzard conditions were met at 15:30L on 2/16. The site reported consistent winds greater than 35 mph and visibilities at or below 1/4 miles for well over 3 hours. A peak observation was recorded at 17:56L on 2/16 with 55 mph sustained winds gusting to 68 mph, heavy snow, ice fog, and visibility less than 1/4 miles.

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.