Blizzard in Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast, Alaska

At 1146AKST on March 7, 2026, a Winter Storm Watch was upgraded to a Blizzard Warning for the Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast. The AWOS site at Point Thomson Airstrip (PAAD) first reported blizzard conditions at 0155AKST on March 8, 2026; the final verifying observation occurred at 2055AKST on March 10, 2026. The Blizzard Warning was cancelled at 1313AKST on March 11, 2026. 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.