Winter Storm in White Mountains and High Terrain South of the Yukon River, Alaska

Alaska 511 first started reporting difficult road conditions along Eagle Summit MP101 to MP114 at 08:21L on 2/18. The reports detailed blowing/drifting snow conditions with icy patches, low visibilities, and winds around 30 mph. The road was closed from 14:25L on 2/19 to 09:57L on 2/20 due to blowing/drifting snow, icy patches, low visibilities, and winds around 35 mph. Conditions were at their lowest between 14:00L on 2/19 to 17:00L on 2/19 due to snow squalls in the area.

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.