Kotzebue Airport WeatherCam

Kotzebue Airport (PAOT) is the largest airport in the Northwest Arctic Borough of Alaska — the regional hub for a vast Iñupiaq cultural area centered on Kotzebue Sound about 26 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The FAA WeatherCam here monitors the rapidly changing Arctic weather that controls all aviation in the region. PAOT serves about 11 surrounding villages: Buckland, Deering, Kiana, Kivalina, Kobuk, Noatak, Noorvik, Selawik, Shungnak, Ambler, and the city of Kotzebue itself (population around 3,200). PAOT is served by Alaska Airlines with daily 737 jet service from Anchorage, plus Bering Air, Wright Air Service, and other regional carriers operating Cessna Caravans, Beavers, and Piper Navajos to the surrounding villages. The airport supports both commercial passenger service and a critical bypass-mail service that brings groceries, freight, and supplies to the villages that have no road access. Weather here is true Arctic maritime. Sea ice forms on Kotzebue Sound by November and lasts through May. Polar night sets in by late November — the sun doesn't fully rise for about a month around the winter solstice. Conversely, the sun doesn't fully set for about a month around the summer solstice in late June. Aurora borealis is visible on most clear winter nights. Cultural events centered on Kotzebue include the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center exhibits, the Kobuk 440 sled dog race in April (one of the most beautiful mid-distance races in Alaska), and the regional Inupiaq Days celebrations. The Kobuk Valley National Park, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, and the Selawik National Wildlife Refuge surround the area — accessible by bush flight or boat in summer, snowmachine in winter.

All Views at Kotzebue 4 cameras

FAA WeatherCams — PAOT

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