NPR-A Weekly Weather and Tundra Travel Report

NOTICE: As of April 21, 2023, the North Slope Borough (NSB) is discontinuing trail maintenance for the season, removing route delineators and slotting river crossings. With conditions deteriorating, the trail is unsafe for continued use until further notice. Weekly Tundra Travel Reports will cease until next winter when tundra conditions again become suitable for safe tundra travel.

The NPR-A Weekly Weather and Tundra Travel Report gives National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska users and the public easily accessible data about the status of soil and weather conditions across the NPR-A. Satellite telemetry allows BLM to monitor freeze-up and thawing conditions in real time and report on snow depths, soil and air temperatures, weather, and water conditions.

BLM Alaska's Arctic District Office posts its findings each week in reports below leading up to and during tundra travel season. 

Reports by Year

2023

January 6, 2023

January 13, 2023

January 19, 2023

January 27, 2023

February 2, 2023

February 10, 2023

February 17, 2023

February 24, 2023

March 2, 2023

March 10, 2023

March 17, 2023

March 24, 2023

March 31, 2023

April 7, 2023

April 14, 2023

April 21, 2023

2022

December 30, 2022

December, 23, 2022

December 15, 2022

December 9, 2022

December 1, 2022

November 25, 2022

November 18, 2022

November 10, 2022

November 3, 2022 (Beginning 2022-2023 winter season monitoring)

May 13, 2022 (Final spring 2022 report, tundra travel closed May 13, 2022)

May 6, 2022

April 28, 2022

April 22, 2022

April 15, 2022

April 8, 2022

March 25, 2022

March 18, 2022

March 11, 2022

March 4, 2022

February 24, 2022

February 18, 2022

February 11, 2022

February 3, 2022

January 28, 2022

January 21, 2022

January 14, 2022

January 7, 2022

2021

December 30, 2021

December 24, 2021

December 17, 2021

December 3, 2021

November 26,2021

November 19, 2021

November 12, 2021

November 5, 2021

October 29, 2021

October 22, 2021

June 18, 2021 (Final Spring 2021 Report)

June 11, 2021

June 4, 2021

May 28, 2021

May 21, 2021

May 14, 2021

May 7, 2021

April 30, 2021

April 22, 2021

April 16, 2021

April 9, 2021

About NPR-A Soil and Weather Stations

The Community Winter Access Trail (CWAT) reduces commodity shipping costs to Alaska Native villages in the North Slope Borough (NSB) by providing critical seasonal access for authorized vehicles and goods. The CWAT is also used by industry to transport equipment and connect winter infrastructure for permitted actions, such as those involved with oil and gas leasing activities. The CWAT is managed by the NSB for authorized users with a federal right-of-way permitted by the BLM.

BLM installed subsurface digital temperature sensing cables along the CWAT. These cables are connected to a solar-powered data logger, which uses satellite telemetry to transmit daily temperature readings. These temperature readings at multiple depths allow BLM to monitor freeze-up and thawing conditions in real time. In addition, sonic depth sounders are collocated with the digital temperature cables at each site along the CWAT. The sonic sounders record an acoustic signal, and a real time snow depth is extrapolated and transmitted daily along with the soil temperature data. Weather and stream gauging stations have been installed at key river crossings to detect and transmit water stage and weather data as well as monitor breakup conditions.

These important data are used to make ongoing management decisions about the condition of travel over the tundra, and to monitor soil, snow, weather, and water parameters over time. Increased resolution and accuracy of real time environmental data allow BLM to evaluate the effectiveness of required operating procedures and stipulations as permitted actions occur.

The Bureau of Land Management is committed to making the best possible land management decisions to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Quick Links

Additional NPR-A weather data not shown in this report can be found at:

Other resources

Points of Contact

Matthew Ferdebar
Soil Scientist
BLM Alaska Arctic District Office
(907) 474-2325
mferderbar@blm.gov

Katie Drew
Fish Biologist
BLM Alaska Arctic District Office
(907) 474-2315
ksdrew@blm.gov