Blizzard in Kivalina and Red Dog Dock, Alaska

NWS Fairbanks upgraded a Winter Weather Advisory to a Blizzard Warning for Kivalina and Red Dog Dock at 0751AKST on March 7, 2026. Blizzard conditions were ongoing at the time of the upgrade. The AWOS site at Kivalina Airport (PAVL) began reporting blizzard conditions at 0410AKST on March 7, 2026; the final verifying observation occurred at 2005AKST on March 7, 2026. At the peak of the event, PAVL measured zero visibility in blowing snow with winds gusting to 52 mph. No fatalities, injuries, or property damage were reported.

A series of strong systems tracked across the Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean from March 5 through March 11, 2026. These systems brought widespread and prolonged blizzard conditions to the Bering Strait, Northwest Arctic Coast, and the Central and Northeast Arctic Coast. Powerful pressure gradients produced strong winds and significant blowing snow that reduced visibilities to zero at times. The hazardous conditions led to multiple Blizzard Warnings and impacted travel across various coastal communities. No fatalities, injuries, or property damage were reported during this episode.