Published on: November 9, 2011 at 6:05 AM

And it is producing winds of hurricane force in many areas especially Western Alaska. Check out these few official spot reports observed at 6 am Alabama time this morning:

* Kotzebue…snow/blowing now, temperature 10, wind east 52 with gusts 63 mph, wind chill -17
* Point Hope…19 degrees, wind east 50, gusts 68
* Tin City…26 degrees, temperature 26, wind SE 70, gusts 80 mph
* Wales…snow, 27 degrees, wind SE 62, gusts 82 mph

Can you imagine getting caught outdoors in weather like that. I feel sure whiteout conditions are common in this.