Blizzard — Western Aleutians, Alaska

2013-02-05 · Western Aleutians, Alaska

Event narrative

As the strong low approached the Western Aleutian Islands Shemya (PASY) reported blizzard conditions for four hours during the afternoon of February 5th. The peak of this event was at 4:56 PM AKST when the visibility was 1/8 mile in heavy snow and blowing snow that was produced by Northeast winds that were 59 MPH gusting to 72 MPH.

Wider weather episode

A North Pacific low rapidly deepened from 981 MB at 00Z on February 5th to 950 MB by 18Z on February 5th. This storm then maintained strength in the lower to mid 950 mb range through 00Z on February 7th. The occluded front associated with this low first brought blizzard conditions to the Western Aleutians and then to the Pribilof Islands the next day.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 434115. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.