Alert archive / Alaska / Blizzard Warnings in 2026

Blizzard Warning 10, NWS Anchorage, AK

February 15, 2026Bethel Census Area, Alaska

NWS Anchorage, AK issued this blizzard warning at Feb 15, 2026, 11:12 AM AKST for Bethel Census Area, Alaska. It took effect at Feb 16, 2026, 3:00 AM AKST. It was in force for 21 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
Feb 15, 2026, 11:12 AM AKST (20:12 UTC)
In effect from
Feb 16, 2026, 3:00 AM AKST
Expired
Feb 17, 2026, 12:00 AM AKST
In force
21 hr
Issued by
NWS Anchorage, AK

County Bethel Census Area, AK

The nearest sounding before it

Bethel, (PBET), launched 12:00Z, 8.2 hours before the alert went out and 71 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Bethel, at 12:00Z on 2026-02-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Bethel, at 12:00Z on 2026-02-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 341 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
416 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
65 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
341 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
417 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

919 
WWAK42 PAFC 152012
WSWALU

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
1112 AM AKST Sun Feb 15 2026

AKZ755>757-170900-
/O.UPG.PAFC.WS.A.0009.260216T1200Z-260217T0900Z/
/O.NEW.PAFC.BZ.W.0010.260216T1200Z-260217T0900Z/
Kuskokwim Delta Coast and Nunivak Island-Interior Kuskokwim Delta-
Western Capes-
Including the cities of Goodnews Bay, Quinhagak, Kwethluk,
Mekoryuk, Akiachak, Bethel, Kipnuk, Kasigluk, Platinum, and
Toksook Bay
1112 AM AKST Sun Feb 15 2026

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM MONDAY TO MIDNIGHT AKST 
MONDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations 
  between 3 and 7 inches. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph.

* WHERE...Kuskokwim Delta Coast, north of the Kuskokwim River, and 
  Western Capes.

* WHEN...From 3 AM Monday to midnight AKST Monday Night.

* IMPACTS...Visibilities reduced to one quarter mile or less due to 
  blowing snow. Whiteout conditions are expected and will make 
  travel very difficult. Gusty winds could blow around unsecured 
  objects.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A strong storm will move into the Kuskokwim 
  Region tonight, bringing moderate to heavy snowfall, paired with 
  gusty SE winds for periods of whiteout conditions; this storm will 
  begin to weaken by Monday night.

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.

Persons should consider delaying all travel. If travel is absolutely 
necessary, drive with extreme caution. Consider taking a winter 
storm kit along with you, including such items as tire chains, 
booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets and extra clothing. 
Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help 
you survive in case you become stranded.

&&

$$

AKZ764-170900-
/O.UPG.PAFC.WS.A.0009.260216T1200Z-260217T0900Z/
/O.NEW.PAFC.WW.Y.0026.260216T1200Z-260217T0900Z/
Northern Bristol Bay Coast-
Including the cities of Dillingham, Manokotak, and Togiak
1112 AM AKST Sun Feb 15 2026

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM MONDAY TO MIDNIGHT 
AKST MONDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Snow and blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations 
  between 3 and 5 inches. Winds gusting 25 to 40 mph.

* WHERE...Northern Bristol Bay Coast, primarily along the Togiak Bay 
  Coastline.

* WHEN...From 3 AM Monday to midnight AKST Monday Night.

* IMPACTS...Visibilities reduced to one half mile or less due to 
  blowing snow with short periods of whiteout conditions. Travel 
  could be very difficult.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A strong storm will move into the Northern 
  Bristol Bay Region tonight, bringing moderate snowfall, paired 
  with gusty winds for short periods of whiteout conditions; this 
  storm will begin to weaken by Monday night.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling.

Persons are urged to stay indoors until conditions improve. If you 
must go outside, dress in layers. Several layers of clothes will 
keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Cover exposed skin to 
reduce your risk of frostbite or hypothermia. Gloves, a scarf, and a 
hat will keep you from losing your body heat.

&&

$$

AB
3 follow-up statements
828 
WWAK42 PAFC 161336
WSWALU

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
436 AM AKST Mon Feb 16 2026

AKZ755>757-170900-
/O.CON.PAFC.BZ.W.0010.000000T0000Z-260217T0900Z/
Kuskokwim Delta Coast and Nunivak Island-Interior Kuskokwim Delta-
Western Capes-
Including the cities of Platinum, Kipnuk, Quinhagak, Bethel,
Mekoryuk, Akiachak, Goodnews Bay, Kwethluk, Kasigluk, and Toksook
Bay
436 AM AKST Mon Feb 16 2026

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations 
  between 3 and 7 inches. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph.

* WHERE...Kuskokwim Delta Coast, north of the Kuskokwim River, and 
  Western Capes.

* WHEN...Until midnight AKST tonight.

* IMPACTS...Visibilities reduced to one quarter mile or less due to 
  blowing snow. Whiteout conditions are expected and will make 
  travel very difficult. Gusty winds could blow around unsecured 
  objects.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A strong storm moves into the Kuskokwim 
  Region this morning, bringing moderate to heavy snowfall, paired 
  with gusty SE winds for periods of whiteout conditions; this storm 
  will begin to weaken by tonight.

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.

Persons should consider delaying all travel. If travel is absolutely 
necessary, drive with extreme caution. Consider taking a winter 
storm kit along with you, including such items as tire chains, 
booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets and extra clothing. 
Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help 
you survive in case you become stranded.

&&

$$

AKZ764-170900-
/O.CON.PAFC.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-260217T0900Z/
Northern Bristol Bay Coast-
Including the cities of Manokotak, Togiak, and Dillingham
436 AM AKST Mon Feb 16 2026

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST 
TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Snow and blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations 
  between 3 and 5 inches. Winds gusting 25 to 40 mph.

* WHERE...Northern Bristol Bay Coast, primarily along the Togiak Bay 
  Coastline.

* WHEN...Until midnight AKST tonight.

* IMPACTS...Visibilities reduced to one half mile or less due to 
  blowing snow with short periods of whiteout conditions. Travel 
  could be very difficult.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A strong storm will move into the Northern 
  Bristol Bay Region this morning, bringing moderate snowfall, 
  paired with gusty winds for short periods of whiteout conditions; 
  this storm will begin to weaken by tonight.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling.

Persons are urged to stay indoors until conditions improve. If you 
must go outside, dress in layers. Several layers of clothes will 
keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Cover exposed skin to 
reduce your risk of frostbite or hypothermia. Gloves, a scarf, and a 
hat will keep you from losing your body heat.

&&

$$
506 
WWAK42 PAFC 170020
WSWALU

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
320 PM AKST Mon Feb 16 2026

AKZ755>757-170900-
/O.CON.PAFC.BZ.W.0010.000000T0000Z-260217T0900Z/
Kuskokwim Delta Coast and Nunivak Island-Interior Kuskokwim Delta-
Western Capes-
Including the cities of Kwethluk, Quinhagak, Mekoryuk, Akiachak,
Kipnuk, Toksook Bay, Goodnews Bay, Platinum, Kasigluk, and Bethel
320 PM AKST Mon Feb 16 2026

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations 
  between 3 and 7 inches. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph.

* WHERE...Kuskokwim Delta Coast, north of the Kuskokwim River, and 
  Western Capes.

* WHEN...Until midnight AKST tonight.

* IMPACTS...Visibilities reduced to one quarter mile or less due to 
  blowing snow. Whiteout conditions are expected and will make 
  travel very difficult. Gusty winds could blow around unsecured 
  objects.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Blizzard conditions are ongoing along the 
  Kuskokwim Coast down into the Western Capes. Unsettled weather 
  will continue to spread further inland through this evening with 
  the forward progression of a strong front. The worst conditions 
  for interior portions of the Kuskokwim Delta will be to the north 
  and west of Bethel, including the communities of Nunapitchuk and 
  Kasigluk.

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.

Persons should consider delaying all travel. If travel is absolutely 
necessary, drive with extreme caution. Consider taking a winter 
storm kit along with you, including such items as tire chains, 
booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets and extra clothing. 
Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help 
you survive in case you become stranded.

&&

$$

AKZ764-170900-
/O.CON.PAFC.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-260217T0900Z/
Northern Bristol Bay Coast-
Including the cities of Togiak, Manokotak, and Dillingham
320 PM AKST Mon Feb 16 2026

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST 
TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Snow and blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations 
  between 3 and 5 inches. Winds gusting 25 to 40 mph.

* WHERE...Northern Bristol Bay Coast, primarily along the Togiak Bay 
  Coastline.

* WHEN...Until midnight AKST tonight.

* IMPACTS...Visibilities reduced to one half mile or less due to 
  blowing snow with short periods of whiteout conditions. Travel 
  could be very difficult.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A strong storm, slightly delayed, will move 
  into the Northern Bristol Bay Region this evening, bringing 
  moderate snowfall, paired with gusty winds for short periods of 
  whiteout conditions; this storm will begin to weaken later tonight.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling.

Persons are urged to stay indoors until conditions improve. If you 
must go outside, dress in layers. Several layers of clothes will 
keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Cover exposed skin to 
reduce your risk of frostbite or hypothermia. Gloves, a scarf, and a 
hat will keep you from losing your body heat.

&&

$$

BL
919 
WWAK42 PAFC 170851
WSWALU

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
1151 PM AKST Mon Feb 16 2026

AKZ755>757-171000-
/O.EXP.PAFC.BZ.W.0010.000000T0000Z-260217T0900Z/
Kuskokwim Delta Coast and Nunivak Island-Interior Kuskokwim Delta-
Western Capes-
Including the cities of Toksook Bay, Kwethluk, Bethel, Akiachak,
Mekoryuk, Goodnews Bay, Kasigluk, Quinhagak, Kipnuk, and Platinum
1151 PM AKST Mon Feb 16 2026

...BLIZZARD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT MIDNIGHT AKST TONIGHT...

Wind speeds have decreased and visibility has improved. However, 
snowfall may continue on for a few more hours and could drop 
visibility to 1 mile or less at times.

$$

AKZ764-171000-
/O.EXP.PAFC.WW.Y.0026.000000T0000Z-260217T0900Z/
Northern Bristol Bay Coast-
Including the cities of Togiak, Manokotak, and Dillingham
1151 PM AKST Mon Feb 16 2026

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT MIDNIGHT AKST TONIGHT...

Wind speeds have decreased and visibility has improved. However, 
snowfall may continue on for a few more hours and could drop 
visibility to 2 miles or less at times.

$$

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 Feb 15, 5:20 AM AKST, 5 hours 52 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 15, 5:20 AM AKST, 5 hours 52 minutes before
Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
520 AM AKST Sun Feb 15 2026

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA (Days 1 through 3)...

Discussion:

Areas of fog developed overnight along the northwest Kenai Peninsula
and central Cook Inlet and along the Knik Arm and Palmer Hay Flats.
Initially, these areas of fog were fairly transient with
visibilities varying as these areas of fog drifted around. One
blob moved north along the Parks Highway towards Talkeetna where
visibilities dropped to under a half mile. By early this morning,
fog and low stratus was starting to fill in across the northern
Cook Inlet, the Anchorage Bowl, and the Wasilla/Palmer area. And
while conditions are starting to improve as mid and higher level
cloud cover works in from the west, pockets of dense fog may
linger for several more hours this morning.

Quasi-zonal flow will turn more longitudinal today as an upper ridge
starts to amplify over the Northern Pacific and Bering Sea. This
amplification will continue into Monday as a strong low drops
southwards across the Panhandle and eastern Gulf, and another strong
low lifts up towards the Gulf of Anadyr in the western Bering Sea.
For today, a shortwave trough translating eastwards just south of
Norton Sound will bring increased cloud cover and a chance for light
snow showers along the western slopes of the Talkeetna and Chugach
Mountains, and the some lower end snow chances for the Mat Valley by
early to mid afternoon then moving into the Copper Basin with
increased snow chances for the western slopes of the Wrangells and
the eastern Alaska Range. Any snowfall amounts look light as this
system will move through quickly and have limited moisture to work
with.

The bigger story for the next few days will be colder temperatures
and strong gap winds along the coast. A series of low amplitude
short-waves embedded in the fast westerly flow will cross
Southcentral today, reinforcing the Arctic air and maintaining gap
winds.The aforementioned ridge will further amplify tonight and
Monday as it shifts eastward toward western Alaska. As a result, a
cold trough up over northwest AK, will be forced southward and
across Southcentral tonight and Monday, bringing even colder air
with it. This will once again cause gap winds along the coast to
strengthen. The track of the short-wave (and area of strongest cold
air advection) will be across the Copper River Basin. This will
bring the strongest winds to Valdez/Thompson Pass and the Copper
River Delta on Monday. The lack of a deep surface low in the Gulf is
the one piece missing to make this a high end wind event. Still,
expect strong and gusty winds. The bottom line for coastal areas:
winds will remain elevated through at least Monday, with some
fluctuations in strength as various short-waves and surges of cold
air move through. Meanwhile, much colder temperatures will settle
over the region, with each day colder than the previous.

- PP/SEB

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHWEST ALASKA/BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS (Days
1 through 3)...

Key Points:

*A Blizzard Watch remains in effect for the southwest coastline as
 a strong front, associated with a strong Bering Low, pushes
 inland Sunday night through late Monday. Impacts include moderate
 to heavy snowfall, wind gusts up to 50 mph and reduced
 visibilities down to a quarter mile.

Currently, there is a front moving through the Lower Kuskokwim
Valley, causing snowfall and gusty winds. Visibility is being
reduced due to blowing snow in this area. Elsewhere, a ridge is
allowing for calmer and clearer conditions across most of the
Southwest Mainland and the Aleutians. These conditions will not
last long as a large moisture plume pushes up from the North
Pacific into the Bering. This moisture plume is riding along a
front from a low pushing toward the Gulf of Anadyr. This front
will quickly push across the Aleutians, arriving at the Southwest
Mainland by Monday morning. The Aleutians will see moderate to
heavy precipitation and gusty southerly winds as the front passes.
A rain/snow mix or rain is the expected precipitation type due to
warm air advection. Once the front pushes onshore, gusty
southeast winds and snowfall will impact the Southwest coastline.
Blowing snow which could reduce visibility below a quarter of a
mile is possible. Due to this threat, the Blizzard Watch remains
in effect. Snowfall is expected in the interior as the front moves
inland, but wind speeds will not be great enough for blizzard
conditions. The front will dissipate by Tuesday, leading to calmer
and clearer conditions for a short time.

Behind the front is another plume of moisture. This thin plume
will stretch from the Western Aleutians, through the Pribilof
Islands, to the Kuskokwim Delta by Tuesday. Another round of
snowfall is expected along with elevated wind speeds. It is
possible that blowing snow could impact the Kuskokwim Delta with
this event, but there is some uncertainty in exact wind speeds.

-JAR/AB

&&

.LONG TERM FORECAST (Days 4 through 7 - Wednesday through
Saturday)...

Models are in fair agreement with the pattern through the end of
next week. A weak front moves through Southcentral Wednesday. This
will bring a chance for light snow across the region. After
Wednesday, a ridge builds in the Western Aleutians and Bering. A
shortwave moves into the Western Aleutians Thursday, which will
increase the chance for rain. This shortwave is broken up by the
building ridge though, which moves to the Central Aleutians by
Saturday.

As the ridge builds to the west, an Arctic trough digs southward
across mainland Alaska. This trough moves through Southwest Alaska
Wednesday and Thursday, which will increase the chance for light
snow across the Kuskokwim Valley. Southcentral looks to be dry as
the trough moves through. Constant northerly winds will cool
temperatures across the mainland through the end of the week. By
Friday, a vertically stacked low moves into the northern Gulf. The
primary concern with this will be gap winds through the Barren
Islands starting Thursday. Conditions for gusty gap winds on
Friday look favorable from Kodiak Island through the AKPen as
well. Gap wind chances persist into Saturday as the low continues
to move southeast.

PA

&&

.AVIATION...

PANC...Low end MVFR to IFR visibility and IFR to LIFR ceilings
will most likely prevail through most of the morning hours of the
TAF period. Areas of fog can be seen this morning on satellite
along the Knik Arm, across Anchorage, and farther south down the
Cook Inlet. Expect fog to begin to scatter out around 18z to 20z.
Winds will generally be light and southerly this morning, though
will turn more southeasterly after 00z with occasional gusts over
10 knots possible.

&&

The office that day

Everything else NWS Anchorage, AK issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 14, 3:15 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC48 hr
Feb 14, 3:19 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC25 hr
Feb 14, 3:19 PM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC25 hr
Feb 14, 3:46 PM AKSTBrisk Wind AdvisoryAFC36 hr
Feb 14, 3:46 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC36 hr
Feb 15, 12:59 AM AKSTDense Fog AdvisoryAFCAnchorage Municipality, Kenai Peninsula, Matanuska-Susitna8 hr
Feb 15, 3:29 AM AKSTGale WarningAFC13 hr
Feb 15, 3:29 AM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC13 hr
Feb 15, 3:29 AM AKSTStorm WarningAFC13 hr
Feb 15, 3:30 AM AKSTStorm WarningAFC36 hr
Feb 15, 3:58 AM AKSTGale WarningAFC47 hr
Feb 15, 3:58 AM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC35 hr
Feb 15, 10:54 AM AKSTWind AdvisoryAFCChugach Census Area28 hr
Feb 15, 11:12 AM AKSTWinter Weather AdvisoryAFCDillingham Census Area37 hr

Nearby

Blizzard Warnings in Alaska, 2026Every blizzard warning in 2026

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.