Blizzard — Central Beaufort Sea Coast, Alaska

2015-01-27 · Central Beaufort Sea Coast, Alaska

Wider weather episode

A 1004 mb low near Banks Island on the 26th coupled with a strong 1031 mb high pressure center over the Brooks Range created a strong pressure gradient over the eastern Arctic Slope, providing strong winds and blizzard conditions during the day of the 26th of January 2015 and lingering into the 27th.

Zone 203: Blizzard conditions were observed at the Deadhorse ASOS. The visibility was reduced to one quarter mile or less in snow and blowing snow.

Zone 204: Blizzard conditions were observed at the Point Thompson AWOS. The visibility was reduced to one quarter mile or less in snow and blowing snow for several hours. There was a peak wind gust of 43 kt (49 mph) at the Point Thompson AWOS, and a peak wind gust at the Barter Island AWOS of 47 kt (54 mph).

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 555905. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.