Blizzard — Northern Arctic Coast, Alaska

2011-02-18 · Northern Arctic Coast, Alaska

Wider weather episode

A 970 mb low that was in the Gulf of Anadyr at 0900AKST on the 17th moved north into the southern Chukchi Sea and weakened to 976 mb about 300 miles northwest of Barrow by 0900AKST on the 18th. The low was still quite strong and brought a period of blizzard conditions along parts of the western and northern arctic coast.

Zone 201: Blizzard condtions were observed at Atqasuk from approximately 1016AKST until 1532AKST on the 18th. The visibility was reduced to one quarter mile or less in snow and blowing snow. There was a peak wind gust of 40 kt (46 mph) at the Atqasuk AWSS.

Zone 202: Blizzard conditions were observed at Barrow from approximately 0938AKST through 1653AKST on the 18th. The visibility was frequently reduced to one quarter mile or less in snow and blowing snow. There was a peak wind gust of 38 kt (44 mph) at the Barrow ASOS.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 274628. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.