Blizzard and Winter Storm in Alaska, January 15 to 17, 2026

Name: Blizzard and Winter Storm in Alaska, January 15 to 17, 2026
Start: 2026-01-15T10:20
End: 2026-01-17T17:10
Location: Alaska

January 15 to 17, 2026 · NWS AFG · 7 events in 7 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 7 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 7

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS AFG wrote it up.

Following a period of dry, Arctic conditions across Central Alaska, a potent weather shift occurred on Thursday, January 15. A strong low-pressure system entering the North Pacific coupled with high pressure over Western Canada to funnel a stream of warm, moist air into the region. As the associated warm front tracked north over the Alaska Range, it produced heavy snowfall and high winds, resulting in widespread blizzard conditions. Simultaneously, strong winds to the west triggered blizzards along the West Coast. In the wake of the front, colder air returned alongside a series of upper-level disturbances. By Friday and Saturday (January 16 17), these systems produced additional heavy snowfall across the Interior.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Fairbanks, AK wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 15, 4:50 AM AKST, 5 hours 30 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 15, 4:50 AM AKST, 5 hours 30 minutes before

Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
450 AM AKST Thu Jan 15 2026

.SYNOPSIS...
A high-impact winter storm is on our doorstep. With this event,
there will be multiple hazards present across a wide area
including heavy snowfall, strong winds, blizzard conditions, and
mixed precipitation.

The initial front will make its way north Thursday with the first
area of concern being the Alaska Range. Strong winds through the
Passes, in addition to heavy snowfall along the southern side of
the range, will result in blizzard conditions at times. Chinook
winds on the northern side of the range will reduce snow totals
and produce gusty winds in the middle Tanana Valley. The heaviest
snow totals will be between Thursday evening and Friday evening
in the Western and Northern Interior with the highest potential
for mixed precipitation in the Southwest. Winds along the West
Coast will be strong, resulting in blizzard conditions at times.

Once the brunt of this system has passed we will be left in a
warmer pattern for Northern Alaska, with temperatures above 0F
likely continuing into the start of next week.

&&

.KEY WEATHER MESSAGES...
Central and Eastern Interior...

Updated Winter Weather Hazards and Details:

- Blizzard Warnings issued for the northern Alaska Range for light
  snow and wind gusts from 65 to 80 mph. Thursday AM to Saturday
  AM.

- Blizzard or near blizzard conditions are possible in Delta
  Junction as well, winds may gust upwards of 60 mph from Thursday
  morning through Saturday morning.

- Winter Storm Watches remain in effect for blowing snow and heavy
  snow in the Central Interior. Winds may gust up to 35 mph in
  Fairbanks which could result in blowing snow and significantly
  reduced visibility on Friday. It may also knock down trees and
  damage power lines.

- Winter Storm Warnings issued for the southern Alaska Range for
  heavy snow and blowing snow concerns. Thursday AM to Saturday
  AM.

- Blizzard Warnings will be in effect for the Dalton Highway
  Summits up to the southern Brooks Range from midnight Thursday
  to 9 PM Saturday. Snow totals between 5 to 10 inches and winds
  blowing up to 40 mph will significantly reduce visibility at
  times.

- A significant warm up is expected for the entire Interior.
  Temperatures will be near or above zero with the warmest
  temperatures (approaching 40 degrees above zero) expected near
  the northern Alaska Range.

- For more in depth details, visit weather.gov/afg and click on
  your location, or type in your location in the top left search
  bar!

West Coast and Western Interior...

Updated Winter Weather Hazards and Details:

- Blizzard Warnings issued for the Bering Strait Coast and St.
  Lawrence Island from Thursday afternoon through Saturday
  afternoon.

- Winter Storm Warnings issued from Farewell to Holy Cross,
  northward to the southern slopes of Western Brooks Range.
  Thursday afternoon through Friday afternoon.
	- Heavy snow, gusty wind and light icing is all possible.
	- Winter Weather Advisory issued for blowing/drifting snow in
   Kivalina. Thursday afternoon through Saturday afternoon.

- Winter Weather Advisories have been issued for the southern
  Seward Peninsula and Eastern Norton Sound coast including
  Unalakleet for snow and blowing snow.

- A significant warm up is expected for the entire area.
  Temperatures will be well above zero with the warmest
  temperatures (approaching 40 degrees above zero) expected from
  McGrath westward on Friday.

- For more in depth details, visit weather.gov/afg and click on
  your location, or type in your location in the top left search
  bar!

North Slope and Brooks Range..

Updated Winter Weather Hazards and Details:
- Cold Weather Advisories remain in effect for the Beaufort Sea
  Coast and Central Brooks Range through at least midnight
  Thursday night for wind chills to 70 below zero.

- A Blizzard Warning has been issued for Anaktuvuk and Atigun
  Passes from Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon for 3 to
  6 inches of snow and wind gusts to 35 mph.

- A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for Point Hope from
  Thursday night through Friday evening for the potential for
  blizzard conditions.

- A significant warm up is expected Friday through the weekend
  with high temperatures near 10 above zero in the Brooks Range
  and approaching zero along the Coast.

- For more in depth details, visit weather.gov/afg and click on
  your location, or type in your location in the top left search
  bar!

&&

.FORECAST ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION...
The 980mb surface low that is set to bring our winter storm is
about 600 miles south of Alaska. Yet its influence is already
being felt in Southern Alaska. At time of writing, a warm front
extends up to the Alaska Peninsula and over the Alaska Range. This
low is going to bring persistent southerly flow, resulting in
heavy snow along the southern side of the Alaska Range. Through
Isabel Pass, winds are already gusting into the 30s and winds in
both Isabel and Windy pass will strengthen as the pressure
gradient tightens with the arrival of the low. Models are showing
a 10 to 12 mb gradient across the range Friday morning through the
afternoon. The combination of heavy snow and strong winds will
cause blizzard conditions at times.

Zooming out from just the Alaska Range, the warm front will
continue northward over the Interior reaching the Brooks Range by
Thursday night as the surface low moves from the North Pacific to
Bristol Bay. There will widespread snow in the Western and
Northern Interior. Areas north of the Alaska Range should have
less as downslope winds act to dry out the lower atmosphere. Winds
in the Bering Strait will gust into the 60s as the gradient
between the low and high pressure over Siberia tightens, leading
to blizzard conditions along the West Coast.

On Friday, the low moves up along coast. As it does, winds across
the Interior shift from northeasterly to southwesterly. There is
another swath of winter weather that makes its way across the
Western and Northern Interior and eventually over the Brooks Range
into the North Slope Friday night.

Models have come into agreement with backing off a third wave for
the Western Interior from a weaker 982 low in the Bering on
Saturday, although parts of the YK Delta, Norton Sound and Seward
Pen could still get a bit more snow before things quiet down.

&&

.EXTENDED FORECAST DAYS 4-7...
By the start of next week, we will settle into a cloudier, warmer
regime with generally southerly flow into the Interior thanks to a
ridge over the panhandle. Models differ on the development of that
ridge past the middle of the week, but the general pattern is that
it elongates over mainland Alaska, before another ridge in the
northern Pacific strengthens the axis of high pressure over the
Bering. In this case, the warmer temperatures are pushed west as
colder arctic air moves in behind it into the eastern Interior
around the middle of the week.

Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...None

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AK...Winter Storm Watch for AKZ801.
     Cold Weather Advisory for AKZ811-812-831-832.
     Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ811-831-833-846.
     Blizzard Warning for AKZ847-849.
     Winter Storm Warning for AKZ848-850.
     Winter Storm Warning for AKZ829-830-851-852.
     High Wind Warning for AKZ837.
     Blizzard Warning for AKZ812-832.
     Winter Storm Warning for AKZ813-819-828.
     Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ815.
     Blizzard Warning for AKZ820-821-827.
     Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ822>824.
     Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ825-826.
     Cold Weather Advisory for AKZ804-805-809.
     Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ804-805.
     Blizzard Warning for AKZ834.
     Winter Storm Watch for AKZ838>845.
     Blizzard Warning for AKZ809.
PK...Gale Warning for PKZ801-850.
     Gale Warning for PKZ802.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ803-853.
     Gale Warning for PKZ804-805.
     Gale Warning for PKZ806-810.
     Gale Warning for PKZ807-811-856.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ809-812-858.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ814-860.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ815-861.
     Gale Warning for PKZ816-817-851-854.
     Gale Warning for PKZ852.
     Gale Warning for PKZ857.
&&

TROYKE

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 blizzard, 2 high wind, 1 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Delta Junction

When: January 15, 10:20 AM AKST to 11:00 PM AKST
Where: Delta Junction forecast zone
Measured: 63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 63.751, -143.251 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong east winds developed during the morning hours of January 15th at Allen Army Airfield. As the day wore on Wind gusts of 40 to 45 mph were common. By mid afternoon a peak wind gust of 73 mph was observed by the Big Delta ASOS (PABI). The winds finally subsided just prior to midnight.

Blizzard, Eastern Norton Sound and Nulato Hills

When: January 15, 2:45 PM AKST to 9:00 PM AKST
Where: Eastern Norton Sound and Nulato Hills forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 64.833, -163.751 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Shaktoolik AWOS (PFSH) reported a period of blizzard conditions during the afternoon and evening hours of January 15th. Winds were consistently blowing at 35 mph or higher which resulted in considerable blowing snow and visibilities at or below 1/4 mile. Peak wind gusts were reported at 50 mph or greater several times during the event.

Winter Storm, Upper Kobuk Valleys

When: January 16, 12:00 AM AKST to 11:59 PM AKST
Where: Upper Kobuk Valleys forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 66.833, -161.001 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Steady snow fell throughout the day on January 16th with heavy snowfall and visibilities dropping to 1/4 mile or less during the afternoon hours. Nearby the Dahl Creek SNOTEL (DHLA2) reported a 10 inch increase in snow depth throughout the day of January 16th.

High Wind, Eastern Alaska Range North of Trims Camp

When: January 16, 5:55 AM AKST to 4:20 PM AKST
Where: Eastern Alaska Range North of Trims Camp forecast zone
Measured: 74 kt (85 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 63.751, -143.251 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong winds developed early in the morning through Isabel Pass and continued into the late afternoon hours of January 16th. From mid morning until late afternoon wind gusts consistently reached 50 mph or higher. The Texas Condo Mesonet (TCOA2) registered a peak wind gust of 85 mph late morning and saw several additional gusts of 80 mph or greater into the afternoon hours.

Blizzard, White Mountains and High Terrain South of the Yukon River

When: January 16, 1:37 PM AKST to January 17, 12:00 AM AKST
Where: White Mountains and High Terrain South of the Yukon River forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 65.700, -152.717 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The AKDOT reported hazardous road conditions at Eagle summit from miles markers 101 to 114. Blowing and drifting snow was reported with poor visibility of below 1/4 mile at times. Southwest winds were reported to be sustained at 40 mph for several hours.

Blizzard, Bering Strait Coast

When: January 17, 8:30 AM AKST to 5:10 PM AKST
Where: Bering Strait Coast forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 64.833, -163.751 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Wales Airport AWOS (PAIW) reported multiple hours of heavy snow and visibilities at or below 1/4 mile in blowing snow. Blizzard conditions prevailed throughout the day as winds remained elevated at speeds of 35 mph or greater.

Blizzard, St. Lawrence Island

When: January 17, 9:00 AM AKST to 2:00 PM AKST
Where: St. Lawrence Island forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 64.833, -163.751 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Savoonga AWOS (PASA) reported blizzard conditions throughout the morning hours and into the afternoon as local observations revealed heavy snow and visibilities at or below 1/4 mile. Winds were routinely in the 40 to 45 mph range with a peak gust of 58 mph recorded just prior to midday.

What these are

High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
Blizzard: Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more with falling or blowing snow that cuts visibility below a quarter mile for three hours or longer.
Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Alaska in 2026 Every state in 2026 This day in weather history Warnings in Alaska, January 2026

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1312219, 1312212, 1312201, 1312236, 1312194, 1312210, 1312211.