Thunderstorms in Northern Alaska over sea ice on Monday sparked rare lightning strikes. The Washington Post reported lightning strikes occurred north of Prudhoe Bay, directly over sea ice, a rare phenomena that occurs once or twice a decade.

The incident appears similar to an oil and gas release in 2017 blamed on thawing permafrost and hot production fluids.

An Alaska company says changing ice conditions in the North Slope area have allowed it to make a bulk fuel delivery to Prudhoe Bay by barge for the first time.

Questions raised about the impacts of vehicle exhaust and soot on snow deposition as well as dirt and dust from roads.

Quintillion reconfigured the network and temporarily restored service as of Tuesday afternoon, the company’s president said. The break happened in an area with ongoing oil and gas maintenance and development.

North Slope facilities in Alaska closed due to severe blizzard conditions with winds up to 75 mph and low visibility.