Blizzard — Nrn & Intr. Seward Peninsula, Alaska

2012-02-04 · Nrn & Intr. Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Wider weather episode

A 958 mb low across the central Aleutians at 0300AKST on the 4th weakened to 971 mb near St Paul Island by 1500AKST on the 5th. The low produced blizzard conditions along much of the west coast of Alaska.

Zone 206: Blizzard conditions likely occurred at Atigun Pass at times from the afternoon on the 4th through the early morning hours on the 5th. According the DOT the visibility was reduced to near zero in blowing and drifting snow with wind gusts to 40+ mph. At Anaktuvuk Pass, the visibility was reduced to one quarter mile at times during the evening hours on the 4th. The wind gusted as high as 37 kt (43 mph) at the Anaktuvuk Pass AWOS.

Zone 207: Blizzard conditions were observed at Kivalina from approximately 2045AKST on the 4th through 0630AKST on the 5th. The visibility was reduced to one quarter mile or less in snow and blowing snow. There was a peak wind gust to 42 kt (48 mph) at the Kivalina ASOS.

Zone 208: Blizzard conditions were observed at Noatak from approximately 2230AKST on the 4th through 0245AKST on the 5th. The visibility was reduced to one quarter mile or less in snow and blowing snow. There was a peak wind gust to 36 kt (42 mph) at the Noatak AWOS.

Zone 209: Blizzard conditions were observed at Kotzebue from approximately 1110AKST on the 4th through 0515AKST on the 5th. The visibility was frequently reduced to one quarter mile or less in snow and blowing snow. The wind gusted as high as 47 kt (54 mph) at the Kotzebue ASOS. The strong wind also produced a

significant amount of drifting snow. Blizzard conditions were intermittently observed at Noorvik from approximately 1115AKST through 1900AKST on the 4th. The visibility was reduced to one quarter mile or less in snow and blowing snow. There was a peak wind gust to 37 kt (43 mph) at the Noorvik AWOS.

Zone 210: Blizzard conditions were observed at Deering from approximately noon AKST through 1800AKST on the 4th. The visibility was reduced to one quarter mile or less in snow and blowing snow. There was a peak wind gusts to 38 kt (44 mph) at the Deering ASOS. Blizzard conditions were observed at Buckland from approximately noon AKST through 1930AKST on the 4th. The visibility was reduced to one quarter mile or less in snow and blowing snow. There was a peak wind gusts to 44 kt (51 mph) at the Buckland AWOS.

Zone 211: Blizzard conditions were observed at Nome from approximately 1030AKST through 1815AKST on the 4th. The visibility was reduced to one quarter mile or less in snow and blowing snow. There was a peak wind gusts to 42kt (48 mph) at the Nome ASOS. A total of 9.9 inches of snow was observed at the National Weather Service office at Nome. Blizzard conditions were observed at Golovin from approximately 1030AKST through 1845AKST. The visibility was reduced to one quarter mile or less in snow and blowing snow. The anemometer was inoperable at times during the event, but the wind gusted to at least 44 kt (51 mph) at the Golovin AWOS.

Zone 212: Blizzard conditions were observed at Unalakleet from approximately 0930AKST through 1800AKST on the 4th. The visibility was reduced to one quarter mile or less in snow and blowing snow. There was a peak gust to 55 kt (63 mph) at the Unalaklet AWOS. Blizzard conditions also likely occurred at Saint Michael from approximately 0900AKST through 1500AKST on the 4th. The visibility sensor was inoperable during this time, but the wind gusted as high as 48 kt (55 mph) at the Saint Michael AWOS.

Zone 213: Blizzard conditions were observed at Gambell from approximately 0730AKST on the 4th through 0330AKST on the 5th. The visibility was reduced to one quarter mile or less in snow and blowing snow. There was a peak wind gust to 48 kt (57 mph) at the Gambell AWOS.

Blizzard conditions were observed at Savoonga from approximately 0130AKST through 2145AKST on the 6th. The visibility was reduced to one quarter milr or less in snow and blowing snow. There was a peak wind gust to 49 kt (57 mph) at the Savoonga AWOS.

Zone 214: According to the city office at Marshall there were blizzard conditions during the late night hours and through the morning on the 4th. The visibility was reduced to one quarter mile or less in snow and blowing snow. The Marshall AWOS reported wind gusts as high as 65 kt (75 mph) during the morning hours on the 4th. It is estimated that there were blizzard conditions from approximately 2300AKST on the 3rd through 1500AKST on the 4th. Temperatures moderated to near freezing during the afternoon on the 4th which likely ended the blizzard conditions.

Zone 217: Blizzard conditions were observed at Shungnak from approximately 1600AKST through 2000AKST on the 4th. The visibility was frequently reduced to one quarter mile in snow and blowing snow. The wind gusted as high as 51kt (59 mph) at the Shungnak AWOS.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 355936. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.