Blizzard — Lower Kobuk & Noatak Valleys, Alaska
2016-12-28 to 2016-12-30 · Lower Kobuk & Noatak Valleys, Alaska
Wider weather episode
Back to back strong low pressure systems affected much of the state over several days from December 28th 2016 until January 2nd 2017.
Freezing rain in the Bristol bay area, heavy snow and blizzard conditions for the west coast and interior as well as minor coastal flooding with higher than normal storm surges ( 4 to 9 feet) occurred along the southern Seward Peninsula over the course of several days.
Strong southerly winds of 50 to 65 mph pushed sea ice on shore and water levels rose in several villages. Villages along Norton sound reported high surge values of 5 to 9 feet breaking up the ice near shore and pushing it up onto the land. High water on roads and near homes were reported in nome savoonga and unallakleet.
High winds damaged buildings in Kotzebue along with power outages.
Gambell runway on Saint Lawrence island received flooding and 6 to 12 inches of debris and damage to lighting. Airport was closed.
Savoonga received power outages and over 30 homes had roofing damage.
Fairbanks and surrounding areas received 12 to 19 inches of snow with gusts to 50 mph. Power outages were reported in the Fairbanks area but GVEA was able to restore service relatively quickly.
Zone 207:Minor coastal flooding near shishmaref. Boats reported lost.
Zones 211 and 212: Minor coastal flooding in Norton sound due to the water level rise and sea ice pushed into villages. Nome minor flooding of homes along belmont point.
Zone 214: Coastal flooding due to storm surge in kotlik
Zone 206: Snow amounts ranged from 8 to 12 inches with local blizzard conditions.
Zone 207 - Blizzard conditions were observed at Point Hope. Additionally the wind gusted to 76 mph (66 kt) at the Point Hope AWOS.
Zone 208 - Blizzard conditions were observed at Red dog mine. Additionally the wind gusted to 56 mph (49 kt).
Zone 209 - Blizzard conditions were observed at Kotzebue. Additionally the wind gusted to 64 mph (56 kt) at the ASOS.
Zone 210: Blizzard conditions were observed at the Deering Mesonet. The visibility was reduced to one quarter mile or less in snow and blowing snow. There was a peak wind gust of 47 kt (54 mph).
Zone 211: Blizzard conditions were observed at the Nome ASOS. The visibility was reduced to one quarter mile or less in snow and blowing snow. A peak wind of 46 kt (53 mph) was reported.
Zone 212 - Blizzard conditions were observed at Unalakleet. Additionally the wind gusted to 59 mph (51 kt) at the AWOS.
Zone 213: Blizzard conditions were observed at the Savoonga Mesonet. The visibility was reduced to one quarter mile or less in snow and blowing snow. There was a peak wind gust of 49 kt (56 mph).
Zone 213: Coastal flooding reaching the Gambell airport.
Zone 214: Freezing rain reported at Mountain village AWOS. There was a peak wind gust of 43 kt (49 mph).
Zones 216: Upslope flow produced an estimated 8 to 12 inches over the mountains of 216.
Zone 217 - Blizzard conditions were observed at Noatak. Estimated snow fall of 1 to 2 feet in the mountains north of Ambler.
Zones 218: Upslope flow produced an estimated 8 to 12 inches over the mountains of the brooks range.
Zones 219: Upslope flow produced an estimated 8 to 15 inches over the mountains of 219.
Zone 220: Snow amounts ranged from 8 to 14 inches. Road to Eagle summit closed December 30th.
Zone 221: Snow amounts ranged from 8 to 12 inches with local blizzard conditions.
Zone 222: Snow amounts ranged from 8 to 13 inches from December 29th into December 30th. Storm total ranged from 12 to 19 inches.
Zones 224: Upslope flow produced an estimated 8 to 12 inches over the yukon uplands.
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 672370. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.