Blizzard — Northern Arctic Coast, Alaska

2011-01-02 · Northern Arctic Coast, Alaska

Wider weather episode

A 960 mb low approximately 200 miles southwest of Saint Lawrence Island combined with a 1026 mb high across the northern Beaufort Sea to produce strong winds and snow along with blizzard conditions along the western and northern arctic coast as well as the central Beaufort Sea coast.

Zone 201: Blizzard conditions were observed at Wainwright from 0027AKST through at least 1127AKST on the 2nd. The visibility at the Wainwright ASOS was one quarter of a mile or less in snow and blowing snow. The sensor became inoperable after 1127AKST and it is likely that the blizzard conditions persisted into the mid-afternoon. The sensor was restored to service around 1900AKST and the blizzard conditions had ended by this time. A peak wind gust of 42 kt (48 mph) was observed at the Wainwright ASOS. Law enforcement at Point Lay also observed blizzard conditions on the 2nd. The Point Lay AWOS visibility sensor became inoperable during the event, but there was a peak wind gust of 53 kt (61 mph). The visibility sensor was observing visibilities of one quarter of a mile in snow as the wind began to pick up prior to the onset of the blizzard conditions.

Zone 202: Blizzard conditions were observed at Barrow from 0100AKST through 1912AKST on the 2nd. The visibility was one quarter mile or less in snow and blowing snow. There was a peak wind gust of 44 kt (51 mph) at the Barrow ASOS.

Zone 203: Blizzard conditions were observed at Deadhorse from 0053AKST through 1253AKST on the 2nd. The visibility was frequently reduced to one quarter mile in snow and blowing snow. There was a peak wind gust of 46 kt (53 mph) at the Deadhorse ASOS. Blizzard conditions also likely occurred during the morning hours at Nuiqsut as the visibility was frequently reduced to one quarter of mile, but the wind sensor was inoperable during the event.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 266675. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.