Winter Storm in Lower Kobuk Valley, Alaska

The Selawik AWOS (PASK) first reported winter storm conditions at 02:41L on 2/17 and continued through 21:53L on 2/17. This equates to 19 consecutive hours of heavy snow, ice fog, winds gusting at or above 30 to 35 mph, and visibilities at or below 1/2 miles. A peak observation was recorded at 16:51L on 2/17 with sustained winds at 32 mph gusting to 38 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.