Weather Observations - What's it like out there now?

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The Bering Strait region of Alaska has some of the most interesting - and most extreme - weather on earth. Conditions can change quickly, and the environment here is quite unforgiving.

For residents, however, weather information is vital for planning all travel and other outdoor activities. Most travel is by small airplane, snow machine, four wheeler, dog sled or small boat.

This page contains links to current weather observations from around our area, as well as information about reading weather charts and data. Don't forget to check our weather forecast page for the region.

Live Weather Widgets- Live and Projected

Unalakleet

In order to use the weather maps, observations or satellite information on this website, it is important to understand that Alaska Standard Time (AST) is 9 hours behind all three main time formats used by scientists:

- Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) = AST +9 hours
- Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) = AST +9 hours
- Zulu time (Z) = AST +9 hours

Please make sure you convert the "issued" time, or "valid time" for each of the resources below into Alaska Standard Time (AST) by subtracting 9 hours.

Visitors can also use the Naval Observatory's automatic time converter for reference, or can read an excellent on-line explanation of international time conventions and their history.

Hourly surface observations from the region using a modified station model coding. for sky condition, flight rule status (VFR/MVFR/IFR), wind speed and direction, ceiling, and dewpoint. Updated about 10 minutes after the hour. Detailed station observation archives are searchable by station ID. A statewide aviation observation map is also available. We have a help chart for observations below.

Source: Alaska Aviation Weather Unit

This surface analysis chart is updated every six hours. Includes significant weather features for pilots, such as icing, turbulence, and general zones of preciptiation and visibility. Upated at 4:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m., and 10:00 p.m., but times can vary somewhat. AAWU's surface chart key may come in handy for the symbols.

Source: Alaska Aviation Weather Unit

Northern hemisphere "big picture" surface analysis centered on the Bering Strait region. Shows detailed observations from both Siberia and Alaska, as well as ship reports. This chart is updated around 10:00 a.m. Alaska Standard Time. Other updates are at around 4:00 a.m., 10:00 p.m., and 4:00 p. m. each day AST.

Source: NOAA Marine Prediction Center

Wind = from direction with marks at end. A full line is 10 knots, and half line is 5 knots. Triangular penant is 50 knots.

STNID = Village Station ID

TMP = Fahrenheit degrees

VIS = in miles if less that 6 miles

CIG = ceiling in hundreds of feet

WX = active weather in area

VFR (black symbols) = greater than 5 miles vis, and ceiling greater than 3000 ft.

MVFR (blue) = between 3 and 5 miles vis, and/or ceiling between 1000 and 3000 ft.

IFR (red)  visibility less than 3 miles and/or ceiling less than 1000 ft.

Bottom line: red = bad;-)