Blizzard in Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast, Alaska

For the second time in less than a week winds began to increase rapidly from the west and southwest across the Eastern Arctic coastline in response to a storm system anchored high in the Arctic. By mid morning on the 16th the Point Thomson AWOS (PAAD) was reporting blizzard conditions with sustained winds of 35 to 40 mph and gusts of 45 mph or higher. The visibility dropped to 1/4 mile or lower due to blowing snow created by these strong winds. These conditions would persist for close to 36 hours before conditions began to improve. At the storms peak, wind gusts were measured at 50 mph or greater.

The third in a series of blizzards to affect the NE Arctic coastline unfolded to start the third week of March. Disturbances rotating southwards from a stagnant upper low over the Canadian Arctic once again produced a barrier jet that brought strong westerly flow and significant blowing snow to locations from Niuqsut to Barter Island.