Weather has hampered search efforts for two snowmachiners traveling from Kivalina to Noatak.

The two snow machiners left Kivalina on Saturday at about 1 pm. They were dressed for the weather and were traveling on good running machines. After their departure from Kivalina, the weather began to deteriorate as a major winter storm moved into the region.

When it was reported that the two riders had not made it in to Noatak by 6 pm that evening, Kivalina and Noatak Search teams were launched. The poor and worsening weather conditions forced the rescue teams to abandon their search to wait for better weather. The conditions remained the same throughout the day yesterday. As of 8 am this morning, the travelers still have not been located.

Alaska State Troopers have not released the names of the two riders.

Noatak is located about 45 miles to the southeast of Kivalina. Both communities are in the Northwest Arctic Borough. Noatak is along the Noatak River, while Kivalina lies on the shores of the Bering Straits.