Spring Breakup Outlook

                        
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FGAK78 PACR 222311 CCA
ESFAK

Hydrologic Outlook
NWS Alaska-Pacific River Forecast Center Anchorage AK
308 PM AKDT FRI MAY 22 2026

...BREAKUP OUTLOOK IS NOW IN A GRAPHICAL FORMAT...

A direct link to the latest graphical product is:
www.weather.gov/media/aprfc/BreakupProducts/ESFAK_ACR_20260522.pdf

Spring Breakup Outlook Update and Current Breakup Status

This breakup outlook contains updates on the current breakup status,
snowpack analysis, short and long term temperature predictions, and
revised flood threat and breakup timing for individual communities.

The end of river breakup across the state is rapidly approaching
with just the last section of the lower Yukon and North Slope Rivers
remaining.  Currently (as of May 22nd), the breakup front on the
Yukon River is located between Marshall and Pilot Station, roughly
140 miles upstream from the river mouth.

A 4-day-long ice jam downstream of Russian Mission released
yesterday after causing extensive overbank flooding from Russian
Mission upstream to Grayling, with the most severe flooding
occurring near Holy Cross where major flooding was reported.
Flooding is now occurring downstream in Russian Mission and Marshall
and is expected to develop in Pilot Station and low-lying areas of
Mountain Village over the next day or so. Farther downstream, the
communities of Emmonak, Alakanuk, and Nunam Iqua should also expect
flooding in the coming days as the breakup front advances toward the
mouth of the Yukon River, releasing a large volume of water that has
been impounded behind multiple ice jams.

Across the North Slope, winter conditions continue to persist with a
substantial snowpack still in place across much of the region.
However, melting has begun near the Brooks Range, and some leads are
beginning to open along the Sagavanirktok River. River breakup
across the North Slope is expected to begin by the middle to latter
part of next week and continue through the first week of June.


FULL GRAPHICAL OUTLOOK:

The graphical Alaska Spring Breakup Outlook products are posted to
the Alaska-Pacific River Forecast Center website at:
www.weather.gov/aprfc/breakupProducts

A direct link to the latest graphical product is:
www.weather.gov/media/aprfc/BreakupProducts/ESFAK_ACR_20260522.pdf

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

The Alaska-Pacific River Forecast Center has updated the format of
its breakup outlook and summary products. The new format has moved
to a graphical presentation, away from the historically text-based
product. The graphical Alaska Spring Breakup Outlook products are
posted to the Alaska-Pacific River Forecast Center website at:
www.weather.gov/aprfc/breakupProducts

NEXT ISSUANCE:

May 29, 2026

kvp