Blizzard — Pribilof Islands, Alaska

2013-02-06 · Pribilof Islands, Alaska

Event narrative

As the occluded front approached the Pribilof Islands, East to Northeast winds increased and caused blizzard conditions at both St Paul and St George Islands. The peak of the event on St Paul Island was at 12:53 PM AKST Feb 6th with East winds 40 gusting to 49 MPH. Visibility was 1/4 mile at this time. On St George Island the peak was at 2:42 PM AKST with East-Northeast winds 32 gusting 42 MPH producing visibility of 1/4 mile in snow and blowing snow.

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 434116. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.