Alert archive / Alaska / Blizzard Warnings in 2025
Blizzard Warning 12, NWS Anchorage, AK
NWS Anchorage, AK issued this blizzard warning at Dec 30, 2025, 3:57 AM AKST for Chugach Census Area, Alaska. It took effect at Dec 30, 2025, 11:00 AM AKST. It was in force for 17 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- Dec 30, 2025, 3:57 AM AKST (12:57 UTC)
- In effect from
- Dec 30, 2025, 11:00 AM AKST
- Expired
- Dec 31, 2025, 4:10 AM AKST
- In force
- 17 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Anchorage, AK
County Chugach Census Area, AK
The radar
The Middleton Island radar (PAIH), 189 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 12:58 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
The nearest sounding before it
Anchorage Iap/Pt. Campbe, (PANC), launched 12:00Z, 1.0 hours before the alert went out and 195 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 952 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 15 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 56 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 183 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
746 WWAK41 PAFC 301257 WSWAER URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Anchorage AK 357 AM AKST Tue Dec 30 2025 AKZ725-301400- /O.CAN.PAFC.WW.Y.0060.000000T0000Z-251230T1400Z/ Southern Kenai Mtns- Including the cities of Seward 357 AM AKST Tue Dec 30 2025 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED... Snow has ended in Seward bringing an end to widespread low visibilities. However, north winds gusting to 25 to 35 mph today will continue to produce areas of blowing snow. $$ AKZ728-310130- /O.NEW.PAFC.BZ.W.0012.251230T2000Z-251231T1500Z/ West Prince William Sound & Whittier- Including the cities of Whittier and Chenega 357 AM AKST Tue Dec 30 2025 ...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 AM AKST WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Visibility one-quarter mile or less at times. West winds gusting 25 to 35 mph late this morning increasing to 45 to 60 mph tonight. * WHERE...Whittier. * WHEN...From 11 AM this morning to 6 AM AKST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, with white-out conditions at times. Snow drifts will pose a hazard to walking and driving. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow will continue to fall this morning. As snow tapers off mid to late morning westerly winds will begin to strengthen. The dry and fluffy snow will be easily blown around, resulting in low visibilities and drifts. Winds will strengthen further this afternoon through tonight. There is some uncertainty in when the really low visibilities will end. There is a chance that blizzard conditions persist through the day Wednesday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel very hazardous. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. For the latest road conditions call 5 1 1 or visit 511.alaska.gov. && $$ AKZ732-310130- /O.EXT.PAFC.WW.Y.0060.000000T0000Z-251231T0300Z/ Thompson Pass- Including the cities of Thompson Pass 357 AM AKST Tue Dec 30 2025 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Blowing snow. Visibility as low as one half mile at times. Northeast winds gusting 35 to 50 mph. * WHERE...Thompson Pass down to Keystone Canyon. * WHEN...Until 6 PM AKST this evening. * IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...While snowfall will taper off early this morning, blowing and drifting snow along the Richardson Highway could continue to pose a hazard to those driving through the Pass. Low visibilities are not expected to be widespread, but stronger gusts of winds could lead to brief and temporary white-out conditions when driving. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. For the latest road conditions call 5 1 1 or visit 511.alaska.gov. && $$ AKZ771-302000- /O.EXT.PAFC.WW.Y.0060.000000T0000Z-251230T2000Z/ Kodiak Island Northeast- Including the cities of Kodiak City, Port Lions, and Ouzinkie 357 AM AKST Tue Dec 30 2025 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM AKST THIS MORNING... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow. Visibility as low as one half mile at times. Additional snow accumulations up to 2 inches. North to northwest winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Northeast end of Kodiak Island, including Kodiak City. * WHEN...Until 11 AM AKST this morning. * IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Bands of snow will continue to move off the Gulf into the northeast end of Kodiak Island this morning. While snow intensity is generally light, the falling snow combined with strong and gusty winds will lead to brief low visibilities at times. Snow will taper off by late this morning, through areas of blowing and drifting snow will persist. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. For the latest road conditions call 5 1 1 or visit 511.alaska.gov. && $$ Baines
3 follow-up statements
768 WWAK41 PAFC 302006 WSWAER URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Anchorage AK 1106 AM AKST Tue Dec 30 2025 AKZ732-302115- /O.CAN.PAFC.WW.Y.0060.000000T0000Z-251231T0300Z/ Thompson Pass- Including the cities of Thompson Pass 1106 AM AKST Tue Dec 30 2025 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED... Snow has ended. Drifting snow may lead to local, intermittent reductions in visibility as gusty northeasterly winds continue today. $$ AKZ771-302115- /O.EXP.PAFC.WW.Y.0060.000000T0000Z-251230T2000Z/ Kodiak Island Northeast- Including the cities of Ouzinkie, Kodiak City, and Port Lions 1106 AM AKST Tue Dec 30 2025 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY HAS EXPIRED... Snow has tapered off and visibility has improved. $$ AKZ728-310800- /O.CON.PAFC.BZ.W.0012.000000T0000Z-251231T1500Z/ West Prince William Sound & Whittier- Including the cities of Chenega and Whittier 1106 AM AKST Tue Dec 30 2025 ...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Blizzard conditions. Additional snow accumulations up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. * WHERE...Whittier. * WHEN...Until 6 AM AKST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, with white-out conditions at times. Snow drifts will pose a hazard to walking and driving. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Westerly winds will strengthen today, which will allow dry and fluffy snow to be easily blown around, resulting in low visibilities and drifts. Winds will strengthen further through tonight. There is some uncertainty in when the really low visibilities will end. There is a chance that blizzard conditions persist through the day Wednesday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel very hazardous. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. For the latest road conditions call 5 1 1 or visit 511.alaska.gov. && $$ Quesada
411 WWAK41 PAFC 310006 WSWAER URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Anchorage AK 306 PM AKST Tue Dec 30 2025 AKZ728-311500- /O.CON.PAFC.BZ.W.0012.000000T0000Z-251231T1500Z/ West Prince William Sound & Whittier- Including the cities of Chenega and Whittier 306 PM AKST Tue Dec 30 2025 ...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Visibility one-quarter mile or less at times. West winds gusting 25 to 35 mph late this morning increasing to 45 to 60 mph tonight. * WHERE...Whittier. * WHEN...Until 6 AM AKST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, with white-out conditions at times. Snow drifts will pose a hazard to walking and driving. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Westerly winds will strengthen this evening, which will allow dry and fluffy snow to be easily blown around, resulting in low visibilities and drifts. There is some uncertainty in when the really low visibilities will end. There is a chance that blizzard conditions persist through the day Wednesday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel very hazardous. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. For the latest road conditions call 5 1 1 or visit 511.alaska.gov. && $$ AKZ732-311530- /O.NEW.PAFC.WW.Y.0061.251231T1000Z-260101T0300Z/ Thompson Pass- Including the cities of Thompson Pass 306 PM AKST Tue Dec 30 2025 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 6 PM AKST WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Blowing snow expected. Visibilities reduced to one half mile or less at times. Total snow accumulations between 1 and 3 inches. Winds gusting as high as 60 to 70 mph. Very cold wind chills as low as 45 below zero. * WHERE...Thompson Pass. * WHEN...From 1 AM to 6 PM AKST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Light snowfall is forecast to return to Thompson Pass after midnight. Visibility will be reduced to one half mile or less at times for as long as snow is falling on Wednesday. Snow tapers off Wednesday evening, allowing visibilities to improve. Drifting snow will continue to produce intermittent low visibilities as strong winds continue into Thursday (New Year's Day). PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. For the latest road conditions call 5 1 1 or visit 511.alaska.gov. && $$ Quesada
927 WWAK41 PAFC 311310 WSWAER URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Anchorage AK 410 AM AKST Wed Dec 31 2025 AKZ728-311415- /O.CAN.PAFC.BZ.W.0012.000000T0000Z-251231T1500Z/ West Prince William Sound & Whittier- Including the cities of Whittier and Chenega 410 AM AKST Wed Dec 31 2025 ...BLIZZARD WARNING IS CANCELLED... Visibility has improved and the blizzard threat has ended. $$ AKZ732-010300- /O.CON.PAFC.WW.Y.0061.000000T0000Z-260101T0300Z/ Thompson Pass- Including the cities of Thompson Pass 410 AM AKST Wed Dec 31 2025 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Blowing snow expected. Visibilities reduced to one half mile or less at times. Total snow accumulations between 1 and 3 inches. Winds gusting as high as 60 to 70 mph. Very cold wind chills as low as 45 below zero. * WHERE...Thompson Pass. * WHEN...Until 6 PM AKST this evening. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Visibility will be reduced to one half mile or less at times for as long as snow is falling on Wednesday. Snow is expected to taper off this evening, allowing visibilities to improve. Drifting snow will continue to produce intermittent low visibilities as strong winds continue into Thursday (New Year's Day). PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. For the latest road conditions call 5 1 1 or visit 511.alaska.gov. && $$
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this blizzard warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Anchorage, AK wrote its last area forecast discussion before this blizzard warning went out at Dec 29, 4:52 PM AKST, 11 hours 5 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Dec 29, 4:52 PM AKST, 11 hours 5 minutes before
Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Anchorage AK 452 PM AKST Mon Dec 29 2025 .SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA (Days 1 through 3/Tonight through Thursday)... Key Points: * Strong and gusty winds continue across much of the region this afternoon, but expect a general weakening trend as we head through the evening. A High Wind Warning remains in effect for the Matanuska Valley, where wind gusts are still reaching as high as 70 mph. * A Winter Weather Advisory is also in effect for Thompson Pass, where winds which have started to decrease. However, snow will continue to be lofted by these gusty winds, reducing visibility through 9 pm tonight. * Periods of heavy snow showers will reduce visibility along the southern Kenai Peninsula this evening. A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for Seward and travelers should use caution while traveling in the area. * Portions of Kodiak Island, including Kodiak City could also experience low visibilities in blowing snow tonight. However, there is low forecast confidence in the track of surface lows and associated precipitation in the Gulf, so this will continue to be closely monitored. * There will be additional chances of snow across the region through Thursday. However, the bigger story will be another surge of cold air and winds Tuesday through Tuesday night. This will come in from the northwest, with the strongest winds expected across Kodiak Island and the western Gulf. The Arctic trough which brought another round of cold and winds to Southcentral is now being pushed back to the north and west as a series of short-wave troughs track northward across the Gulf of Alaska into Southcentral. At the surface, an elongated surface low and occluded front are lifting toward the north Gulf coast. Radar imagery shows a particularly consolidated area of precipitation tracking up across the northern Gulf toward the Kenai Peninsula, while a band of light snow that swept across much of Southcentral today is drifting west over Cook Inlet. Across Prince William Sound, some light snow showers are present. Winds have been slow to diminish across the region today, but are still forecast to decrease this evening into tonight as warmer air filters in from the series of shortwaves lifting over Southcentral Alaska, loosening up the pressure and thermal gradients that are driving the winds right now. The aforementioned Arctic trough and associated strong jet will be pushed all the way into Southwest AK where it will begin to shear apart. While temperatures will warm, the airmass coming from the Gulf will not be warm enough to change precipitation to rain for land areas. Precipitation will generally be light, but the combination of wind and low density snow means the snow will be easily blown around and reduce visibilities. A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for Seward, where stronger winds persist this evening and a robust shortwave rotating around the Gulf low looks to bring moderate to heavy snowfall during the later evening hours. Through Thompson Pass, windy conditions are lofting snow from the ground and reducing visibility, so the Winter Weather Advisory has been retained for that area as well. Meanwhile, other locations are not expected to see more than intermittent blowing snow due to the largely showery nature of the precipitation. Kodiak Island has a chance to see heavier snow and blowing snow depending on the track of key features across the western Gulf tonight. Stay tuned, as this can be a good pattern for blizzard conditions in Kodiak City if precipitation backs in from the Gulf, with persistent north to northwest surface winds holding in the cold air. However, current thinking is that the low center and heavier precipitation associated with it remains too far east and therefore stays largely offshore. We will continue to monitor the potential for changes to the forecast tonight. The low in the Gulf shifts east on Tuesday, pulling the larger trough over Southwest Alaska eastward. Some weak shortwaves will keep a chance of snow in the forecast tonight through Wednesday, especially over interior Southcentral. However, any snow accumulation with these features will be light. More significantly, a potent short-wave and strong jet streak will dive southeastward across Southwest AK Tuesday night and into the western Gulf Wednesday. This will bring yet another surge of Arctic air and strong winds. The strongest winds will be over the western Gulf and Kodiak Island, with good potential for Hurricane Force wind gusts (65 kt) along the south side of the Alaska Peninsula into the western Gulf and for Storm force gusts (50 kt) for Kodiak Island. Secondarily, all of the gap winds along the north Gulf coast and Prince William Sound will restrengthen. The northwesterly flow will be particularly conducive for strong winds in Whittier/Passage Canal, but thankfully, this is NOT conducive for strong winds in the Matanuska Valley. In fact, winds will likely be light there. No surprise, the cold spell will continue across the region. -SEB/CQ && .SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHWEST ALASKA/BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS (Days 1 through 3: Today through Wednesday)... An upper level ridge continues to slowly build over the central and western Bering this morning, allowing for quiet conditions and light winds to prevail across the central and western Aleutian Chain. An impressive temperature and pressure gradient persists over the eastern Bering, causing very strong north to northwest flow across the eastern Bering Sea, AKPen and parts of Southwest. The strongest winds are focused along and south of the AKPen, where channeled flow through mountain gaps is further enhancing winds. High-end Gale force winds with Storm force gusts are ongoing along parts of the Pacific side of the AKPen. Wind gusts here will peak Tuesday as hurricane force gusts are expected, with winds expected to come down by Wednesday morning. This very strong north to northwest flow has kicked up areas of dust and ash built up from old eruptions near a few volcanoes, including Westdahl and Shishaldin. Trace amounts of ashfall from resuspended ash will be possible over waters immediately south of Unimak Island until winds begin to subside later by midweek. Across Southwest, gusty but not as strong winds continue, especially across parts of Bristol Bay. The gusty winds coupled with temperatures in the -0s to -10s are creating frigid wind chills ranging from -10 to -40 this morning. Across Southwest, temperatures will slowly rebound several degrees by Tuesday and through midweek as the very cold northerly flow pulling down Arctic air from the interior also becomes more northwesterly with time. From Tuesday night into Wednesday, a fast-moving shortwave trough and associated low will move into the Seward Peninsula, sending a trailing cold front into the Kuskokwim Delta. A line of snow showers moving along the front will bring a very quick- hitting round of light snow to the Kuskokwim Delta as the front brushes past late Tuesday night. Limited moisture plus the short duration of snowfall will cap off snow accumulation to half an inch or less through early Wednesday. Across the Bering and Aleutians, conditions will become a bit more unsettled as a North Pacific low pushes a front across the Aleutian Chain into the southern Bering from Tuesday into Wednesday. Temperatures will stay warm enough for purely rain along the front as it lifts steadily northeast and spreads light to moderate precipitation into the region. Winds along the front will be nothing out of the ordinary, barely reaching Gale force sustained as the front arrives near the central and western Aleutians from Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning. -AS/CL && .LONG TERM FORECAST (Days 4 through 7: Friday through Monday)... A rex block will be in place at the start of the long term forecast period with ridging over the central Bering Sea and troughing over mainland Alaska and the western Bering Sea. Cold temperatures will descend over southern Alaska where areas of the Kuskokwim Delta may see temperatures as low as 40 below zero. Most of mainland will be under dry conditions while the Aleutians continue a showery regime. The main weather maker at the end of the weekend will be an Aleutian low as it progresses eastward and breaks down the Bering ridge. Deterministic models are in fairly good agreement for being this far out in time, currently prognosticating between 950 to 960 mb as it moves into the Bering Sea on Sunday. Expect high winds to possible storm-force as this system traverses over the Chain. Moderate to heavy precipitation looks likely as moist southerly flow associated with the frontal system moves over southern Alaska. This will be one to keep an eye on going forward. && .AVIATION... PANC...VFR conditions and ceilings above 5000 ft expected through the period. Gusty north winds gradually diminish through late this evening, with gusts to drop below 25 kt overnight. A trough may bring a period of light snow/flurries through late this evening, with any accumulations at the surface expected to be minimal due to the dry air currently in place. &&
The office that day
Everything else NWS Anchorage, AK issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 29, 3:09 PM AKST | Gale Warning | AFC | 50 hr | |
| Dec 29, 3:09 PM AKST | Small Craft Advisory | AFC | 49 hr | |
| Dec 29, 3:19 PM AKST | Gale Warning | AFC | 60 hr | |
| Dec 29, 3:19 PM AKST | Small Craft Advisory | AFC | 60 hr | |
| Dec 30, 3:22 AM AKST | Brisk Wind Advisory | AFC | 24 hr | |
| Dec 30, 3:22 AM AKST | Gale Warning | AFC | 50 hr | |
| Dec 30, 3:22 AM AKST | Gale Warning | AFC | 48 hr | |
| Dec 30, 3:22 AM AKST | Gale Warning | AFC | 37 hr | |
| Dec 30, 3:22 AM AKST | Small Craft Advisory | AFC | 48 hr | |
| Dec 30, 3:22 AM AKST | Storm Warning | AFC | 35 hr | |
| Dec 30, 3:23 AM AKST | Brisk Wind Advisory | AFC | 37 hr | |
| Dec 30, 3:23 AM AKST | Gale Warning | AFC | 37 hr | |
| Dec 30, 3:23 AM AKST | Small Craft Advisory | AFC | 37 hr | |
| Dec 30, 3:23 AM AKST | Heavy Freezing Spray Warning | AFC | 24 hr |
Nearby
Blizzard Warnings in Alaska, 2025Every blizzard warning in 2025
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.