Health & Safety
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Blizzard Warning Issued for Shishmaref and Bering Strait Coast, Alaska
A blizzard warning is active for coastal Western Alaska, including Shishmaref, with severe winds and snow expected to create difficult travel conditions.
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THE PRIMARY BRIEF
- 01 · The primary finding
A Blizzard Warning is in effect for Shishmaref and the Bering Strait Coast in Western Alaska from late Thursday, October 22, through early Saturday, October 24, 2026.
- 02 · The primary evidence
The National Weather Service (NWS) Fairbanks issued a Blizzard Warning on October 22, 2026, at 1:53 PM AKDT for the Bering Strait Coast and Shishmaref, detailing expected blizzard conditions including 1-3 inches of snow and 60 mph wind gusts. A powerful Bering Sea low is bringing blizzard, high wind, and coastal flood warnings to western Alaska, with peak impacts expected Friday into Saturday. Significant coastal flooding is possible, with water 4 to 6 feet above normal high tide and south to southeast winds gusting 40 to 65 mph along Shishmaref and the Bering Strait coast.
- 03 · Why it matters
The severe weather, including heavy snow, strong winds, and potential coastal flooding, poses significant risks to travel, visibility, and may cause power outages for communities in Western Alaska.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Fairbanks issued a Blizzard Warning on October 22 at 1:53 PM AKDT. This warning applies to the Bering Strait Coast and Shishmaref in Alaska. The blizzard conditions are expected to begin on Friday, October 23, at 4 AM AKDT and last until Saturday, October 24, at 1 AM AKDT.
The forecast indicates total snow accumulations between 1 to 3 inches. Winds are predicted to gust as high as 60 mph. These conditions could make travel very difficult. Strong winds may lead to power outages. Visibility is expected to drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. The NWS anticipates that the snow will transition to rain early Saturday morning.
A powerful low-pressure system in the Bering Sea is responsible for blizzard, high wind, and coastal flood warnings across western Alaska. Peak impacts from this system are expected to occur on Friday and extend into Saturday. Coastal Flood Watches were issued by NWS offices in Fairbanks and Anchorage on Tuesday, October 20, for western Alaska's Bering Sea coast. These watches are in effect from late Thursday night, October 22, through the weekend.
Significant coastal flooding is possible in affected areas. Water levels could reach 4 to 6 feet above the normal high tide line along Shishmaref, Diomede, and the Bering Strait coast. South to southeast winds in these regions could gust between 40 to 65 mph. Winter Storm Watches also cover parts of the Seward Peninsula and northwest Alaska. Remote communities without road access have a prepositioning window for resources today, October 22.
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