Fairbanks, AK – Whiteout conditions are already slamming western Alaska, where 60 mph wind gusts and up to a foot of snow are cutting visibility to near zero and making travel dangerous through midweek.
According to the National Weather Service in Fairbanks, multiple Blizzard Warnings remain in effect across the Western Arctic Coast, Seward Peninsula, Bering Strait Coast and Yukon Delta Coast. Communities including Nome, Kotzebue, Shishmaref, Gambell, Savoonga, Emmonak and Hooper Bay are under warnings lasting until 3 p.m. Wednesday, while areas such as Cape Lisburne, Point Lay, Point Hope, Kivalina and the Baldwin Peninsula remain under blizzard conditions until 3 a.m. Thursday.
Snow totals range from 1 to 3 inches along the Western Arctic Coast to 6 to 12 inches along the Bering Strait and southern Seward Peninsula, with 4 to 9 inches near Kotzebue and Kivalina. The strongest winds, gusting to 60 mph, will drive blowing and drifting snow, producing prolonged whiteouts along exposed coastlines.
Heavier snowfall is expected on the south side of the Seward Peninsula and along the Baldwin Peninsula, where coastal whiteouts may persist through Tuesday night. Strong winds could also trigger scattered power outages in vulnerable communities.
Officials urge residents to restrict travel to emergencies only. Anyone forced to travel should carry a winter survival kit and remain with their vehicle if stranded.
Blizzard conditions will gradually ease late Wednesday in southern zones, but northern coastal areas may not see improvement until early Thursday. Additional advisories remain possible as the storm tracks east.
