Blizzard in Western Arctic Coast, Alaska

The Point Lay AWOS (PPIZ) first reported blizzard conditions around 10:56L on 2/18 and continued through 15:28L on 2/19. Blizzard conditions were met at 13:56L on 2/18. Winds were consistently above 35 mph with visibilities at or below 1/4 miles throughout the event. A peak observation was recorded at 20:12L on 2/18 with sustained winds at 37 mph gusting to 43 mph, heavy snow, freezing fog, and visibility at 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.