An intensifying North Pacific low entered the Bering Sea during the evening of February 27, tracking northeast toward the Bering Strait. The low brought high winds to the Pribilof Islands as it passed to the north of the islands at peak intensity during the early morning hours of February 28. At the same time, its front pushed into Southwest Alaska, leading to widespread blowing snow, with blizzard conditions along the Kuskokwim Delta coast.
The front further progressed eastward into Southcentral Alaska, where it dropped heavy snow and blowing snow lead to low visibilities. This was aided by the development of a triple point low along the front in the Gulf of Alaska late on February 28 into the morning hours of March 1. Snow came to an end for most locations on March 1 as the front and newly-developed triple point low continued eastward. However, impacts continued on Kodiak Island as cold air advection on the back side of the exiting low contributed to high winds through the morning of March 2.
See next month for information on the March 2023 portion of this event.

Blizzard in KUSKOKWIM DELTA, ALASKA
From 27-FEB-23 16:45:00 to 28-FEB-23 00:46:00 (AKST-9)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The Mekoryuk AWOS recorded blizzard conditions from the afternoon of February 27 through the early morning of February 28, with a sustained period of wind gusts in excess of 35 knots (40 mph). Blizzard conditions were also observed along the Kuskokwim Delta coast, at the Kipnuk AWOS, for several hours. Wind gusts at Kipnuk consistently exceeded 40 knots (46 mph).

High Wind in PRIBILOF ISLANDS, ALASKA
From 28-FEB-23 02:06:00 to 28-FEB-23 09:00:00 (AKST-9)
Magnitude: 70.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A mesonet observation in Saint Paul recorded a wind gust to 70 knots (81 mph) around 2 AM on February 28 as a low pressure system in the Bering Sea passed north of the island near peak intensity.

Blizzard in BRISTOL BAY, ALASKA
From 27-FEB-23 19:25:00 to 28-FEB-23 01:40:00 (AKST-9)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The Platinum AWOS recorded blizzard conditions from the evening of February 27 through the early morning hours of February 28. Winds were in excess of 30 knots (35 mph), with consistent gusts to 45 knots (52 mph). While wind observations dropped out after only 2 hours of observed blizzard-like conditions, they returned (still meeting blizzard criteria) around 1 AM AKST, just before visibility improved. This, in combination with nearby wind observations, suggests that the blizzard was sustained until the front pushed ashore and snow ended early on February 28. The Manokotak AWOS also recorded several hours of blowing snow conditions with 1/2 mile visibility or lower. Many other observing sites across the Bristol Bay region recorded at least a brief period of 1/2 mile visibility due to snow/blowing snow as the front pushed eastward through the morning hours.

Winter Weather in KENAI PENINSULA, ALASKA
From 28-FEB-23 04:19:00 to 28-FEB-23 23:59:00 (AKST-9)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snow began during the morning hours of February 28 based on surface observing stations in Kenai and Soldotna. The heaviest snow ended that afternoon, but light snow continued off and on through March 1. Soldotna Police estimated 8 to 12 inches of low density snow fell, with localized higher amounts. On the morning of February 28, visibility was reported to be near zero due to blowing snow.
This event continued into March 2023. See next month for more information.

Winter Weather in ANCHORAGE MUNI TO BIRD CREEK, ALASKA
From 28-FEB-23 04:00:00 to 28-FEB-23 16:30:00 (AKST-9)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A member of the public measured 6.8 inches of snowfall accumulation in Eagle River. Snow began in the morning on February 28 and ended by the afternoon.

Winter Weather in LOWER KUSKOKWIM VALLEY, ALASKA
From 28-FEB-23 01:00:00 to 28-FEB-23 04:55:00 (AKST-9)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Several weather observing sites across the Lower Kuskokwim Valley reported periods of 1/2 mile visibility or less due to moderate/blowing snow. A member of the public reported difficult travel conditions due to blowing snow and reduced visibility in Aniak.