Blizzard Warning Issued for Bering Strait Coast and Western Alaska Through Wednesday Afternoon

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Fairbanks, AK, has issued a Blizzard Warning for several coastal regions in Western Alaska. The alert indicates that blizzard conditions are likely, posing a significant threat to safety and travel.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following geographic regions:

• Bering Strait Coast
• Shishmaref
• Southern Seward Peninsula Coast
• St Lawrence Island
• Yukon Delta Coast

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers in the warning area are advised to take the following precautions:

• Restrict travel to emergencies only.
• If you must travel, ensure you have a winter survival kit in your vehicle.
• If you become stranded, stay with your vehicle to remain sheltered and visible to rescuers.

Expected Conditions

• Snow Accumulation: Total snow accumulations between 6 and 12 inches are expected.
• Wind Speeds: Winds are forecasted to gust as high as 60 mph.
• Visibility: Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility, making travel very difficult.
• Power Outages: Strong winds may result in localized power outages.
• Additional Details: The heaviest snowfall potential is expected on the south side of the Seward Peninsula.

Timeline

The Blizzard Warning is effective from 3:00 PM AKST Monday, February 16, and is scheduled to remain in effect until 3:00 PM AKST Wednesday, February 18.