Blizzard — Bristol Bay, Alaska

2018-12-29 to 2018-12-30 · Bristol Bay, Alaska

Event narrative

Cape Newenham ASOS reported an hour of visibility reduced below 1/4 mile in snow, and 12 hours of winds greater than 35 mph. Peak winds observed were gusts to 71 mph.

Wider weather episode

A low pressure system moving southeastward off the Kamchatka Peninsula rapidly intensified over the Bering Sea, reaching a central pressure of 944 mb by the time it crossed the Aleutian Islands. This system had a second, equally strong, low center that developed in its wake, continuing stormy conditions across the Aleutians as the first low moved onshore. The two low pressure systems brought widespread blizzards and high winds to the Aleutians, the Southwest Mainland, and Southcentral Alaska.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 794628. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.