NPR-A Weekly Weather and Tundra Travel Report

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

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.