Alert archive / Alaska / Blizzard Watches in 2012

Blizzard Watch 3, NWS Anchorage, AK

January 5, 2012

NWS Anchorage, AK issued this blizzard watch at Jan 5, 2012, 4:00 PM AKST. It took effect at Jan 6, 2012, 9:00 PM AKST. It was in force for .

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jan 5, 2012, 4:00 PM AKST (01:00 UTC)
In effect from
Jan 6, 2012, 9:00 PM AKST
Expired
Jan 6, 2012, 5:06 AM AKST
In force
Issued by
NWS Anchorage, AK

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

422 
WWAK41 PAFC 060100
WSWAER

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
400 PM AKST THU JAN 5 2012

AKZ131-061400-
/X.CON.PAFC.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-120106T1800Z/
NORTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...VALDEZ...THOMPSON PASS
400 PM AKST THU JAN 5 2012

...WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM
AKST FRIDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM AKST FRIDAY. 

* SNOW...STORM TOTAL ACCUMULATION 20 TO 30 INCHES.

* TIMING...HEAVY SNOW WILL LET UP BRIEFLY DURING THE EARLY EVENING
  HOURS AND THEN BECOME HEAVY AGAIN BY LATE EVENING. HEAVY SNOW
  WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE NIGHT AND DIMINISH BY MID MORNING
  FRIDAY.

* IMPACTS...TRAVEL WILL BE DIFFICULT. VISIBILITIES WILL BE 
  SEVERELY LIMITED IN HEAVY SNOWFALL. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY DIFFICULT. ONLY TRAVEL IN
AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...
FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

&&

$$

AKZ141-061400-
/X.CON.PAFC.WW.Y.0004.000000T0000Z-120106T1500Z/
COPPER RIVER BASIN-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...GLENNALLEN...EUREKA...MCCARTHY...
PAXSON...SLANA
400 PM AKST THU JAN 5 2012

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST
FRIDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST
FRIDAY. 

* LOCATION...SOUTH OF COPPER CENTER.

* SNOW...STORM TOTAL ACCUMULATION OF 6 TO 14 INCHES. 

* TIMING...SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING. THE HEAVIEST
  SNOW WILL FALL SOUTH OF GLENNALLEN.

* IMPACTS...TRAVEL MAY BE DIFFICULT. VISIBILITIES MAY BE LIMITED 
  IN HEAVY SNOWFALL. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$

AKZ171-061400-
/X.NEW.PAFC.BZ.A.0003.120107T0600Z-120107T2100Z/
KODIAK ISLAND-
INCLUDING THE CITY OF...KODIAK CITY
400 PM AKST THU JAN 5 2012

...BLIZZARD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY
MORNING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ANCHORAGE HAS ISSUED A BLIZZARD
WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY
MORNING. 

* SNOW...SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES POSSIBLE. 

* VISIBILITY...POSSIBLY LESS THAN ONE QUARTER MILE IN BLOWING
  SNOW.

* WIND...20 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH. 

* TIMING...WINDS AND SNOW WILL INCREASE FRIDAY EVENING WITH THE
  STRONGEST WINDS EXPECTED BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 6 AM AKST
  SATURDAY. WINDS AND SNOWFALL WILL DIMINISH LATE SATURDAY MORNING.

* IMPACTS...DRIVING MAY BECOME VERY DIFFICULT. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BLIZZARD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FALLING AND/OR
BLOWING SNOW WITH STRONG WINDS AND EXTREMELY POOR VISIBILITIES.
THIS CAN LEAD TO WHITE-OUT CONDITIONS AND MAKE TRAVEL VERY
DIFFICULT.

&&

$$
2 follow-up statements
874 
WWAK41 PAFC 060645
WSWAER

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
945 PM AKST THU JAN 5 2012

AKZ131-061800-
/X.CON.PAFC.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-120106T1800Z/
NORTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...VALDEZ...THOMPSON PASS
945 PM AKST THU JAN 5 2012

...WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9
AM AKST FRIDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9
AM AKST FRIDAY.

* SNOW...STORM TOTAL ACCUMULATION 20 TO 30 INCHES.

* TIMING...HEAVY SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE NIGHT AND
  DIMINISH BY MID MORNING FRIDAY.

* IMPACTS...TRAVEL WILL BE DIFFICULT. VISIBILITIES WILL BE 
  SEVERELY LIMITED IN HEAVY SNOWFALL. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY DIFFICULT. ONLY TRAVEL IN
AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...
FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

&&

$$

AKZ101-061500-
/X.EXA.PAFC.WW.Y.0004.000000T0000Z-120106T1500Z/
ANCHORAGE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ANCHORAGE...EAGLE RIVER...INDIAN...
EKLUTNA
945 PM AKST THU JAN 5 2012

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST
FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ANCHORAGE HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST
FRIDAY.

* SNOW...ACCUMULATION OF 4 TO 8 INCHES IN TOWN AND UP TO 10
  INCHES ON THE HILLSIDE.

* TIMING...SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE NIGHT.

* IMPACTS...TRAVEL INCLUDING MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MAY BE
  DIFFICULT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$

AKZ111-061500-
/X.EXA.PAFC.WW.Y.0004.000000T0000Z-120106T1500Z/
MATANUSKA VALLEY-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...PALMER...WASILLA...SUTTON...CHICKALOON
945 PM AKST THU JAN 5 2012

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST
FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ANCHORAGE HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST
FRIDAY.

* SNOW...ACCUMULATION OF 4 TO 8 INCHES WITH UP TO 10 INCHES EAST
  OF PALMER.

* TIMING...SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE NIGHT. 

* IMPACTS...TRAVEL MAY BE DIFFICULT. VISIBILITIES MAY BE LIMITED 
  IN HEAVY SNOWFALL. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$

AKZ141-061500-
/X.CON.PAFC.WW.Y.0004.000000T0000Z-120106T1500Z/
COPPER RIVER BASIN-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...GLENNALLEN...EUREKA...MCCARTHY...
PAXSON...SLANA
945 PM AKST THU JAN 5 2012

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM
AKST FRIDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM
AKST FRIDAY.

* SNOW...STORM TOTAL ACCUMULATION OF 6 TO 14 INCHES.

* TIMING...SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING. THE 
  HEAVIEST SNOW WILL FALL SOUTH OF GLENNALLEN. 

* IMPACTS...TRAVEL MAY BE DIFFICULT. VISIBILITIES MAY BE LIMITED 
  IN HEAVY SNOWFALL. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$

AKZ171-062145-
/X.CON.PAFC.BZ.A.0003.120107T0600Z-120107T2100Z/
KODIAK ISLAND-
INCLUDING THE CITY OF...KODIAK CITY
945 PM AKST THU JAN 5 2012

...BLIZZARD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH
SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING...

A BLIZZARD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH
SATURDAY MORNING. 

* SNOW...SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES POSSIBLE.

* VISIBILITY...POSSIBLY LESS THAN ONE QUARTER MILE IN BLOWING 
  SNOW. 

* WIND...20 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH.

* TIMING...WINDS AND SNOW WILL INCREASE FRIDAY EVENING WITH THE 
  STRONGEST WINDS EXPECTED BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 6 AM AKST 
  SATURDAY. WINDS AND SNOWFALL WILL DIMINISH LATE SATURDAY 
  MORNING. 

* IMPACTS...DRIVING MAY BECOME VERY DIFFICULT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BLIZZARD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FALLING AND/OR
BLOWING SNOW WITH STRONG WINDS AND EXTREMELY POOR VISIBILITIES.
THIS CAN LEAD TO WHITE-OUT CONDITIONS AND MAKE TRAVEL VERY
DIFFICULT.

&&

$$
520 
WWAK41 PAFC 061406
WSWAER

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
506 AM AKST FRI JAN 6 2012

AKZ101-111-061515-
/X.CAN.PAFC.WW.Y.0004.000000T0000Z-120106T1500Z/
ANCHORAGE-MATANUSKA VALLEY-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ANCHORAGE...EAGLE RIVER...INDIAN...
EKLUTNA...PALMER...WASILLA...SUTTON...CHICKALOON
506 AM AKST FRI JAN 6 2012

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ANCHORAGE HAS CANCELLED THE
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY. 

THE SNOW HAS ENDED IN ANCHORAGE AND WILL END IN THE MATANUSKA
VALLEY EARLY THIS MORNING.

$$

AKZ171-070315-
/X.UPG.PAFC.BZ.A.0003.120107T0600Z-120107T2100Z/
/X.NEW.PAFC.BZ.W.0007.120107T0300Z-120107T1500Z/
KODIAK ISLAND-
INCLUDING THE CITY OF...KODIAK CITY
506 AM AKST FRI JAN 6 2012

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 AM AKST
SATURDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ANCHORAGE HAS ISSUED A BLIZZARD
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 AM AKST
SATURDAY. THE BLIZZARD WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. 

* SNOW...SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 5 TO 10 INCHES POSSIBLE.

* VISIBILITY...LESS THAN ONE QUARTER MILE IN BLOWING SNOW.

* WIND...20 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH.

* TIMING...WINDS AND SNOW WILL INCREASE THIS EVENING WITH THE
  STRONGEST WINDS EXPECTED BETWEEN 9 PM THIS EVENING AND 3 AM AKST
  TONIGHT. WINDS AND SNOWFALL WILL DIMINISH LATE EARLY SATURDAY
  MORNING.

* IMPACTS...DRIVING MAY BECOME VERY DIFFICULT. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BLIZZARD WARNING MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW WITH STRONG WINDS
AND POOR VISIBILITIES ARE LIKELY. THIS WILL LEAD TO WHITE-OUT
CONDITIONS...MAKING TRAVEL VERY DIFFICULT. ALL TRAVEL AND OUTDOOR
ACTIVITY IS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED.

&&

$$

AKZ131-061800-
/X.CON.PAFC.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-120106T1800Z/
NORTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...VALDEZ...THOMPSON PASS
506 AM AKST FRI JAN 6 2012

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM AKST THIS
MORNING...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM AKST THIS
MORNING. 

* SNOW...STORM TOTAL ACCUMULATION 20 TO 30 INCHES.

* TIMING...HEAVY SNOW WILL DIMINISH BY MID MORNING.

* IMPACTS...TRAVEL WILL BE DIFFICULT. VISIBILITIES WILL BE 
  SEVERELY LIMITED IN HEAVY SNOWFALL. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY DIFFICULT. ONLY TRAVEL IN
AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...
FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

&&

$$

AKZ141-062000-
/X.EXT.PAFC.WW.Y.0004.000000T0000Z-120106T2000Z/
COPPER RIVER BASIN-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...GLENNALLEN...EUREKA...MCCARTHY...
PAXSON...SLANA
506 AM AKST FRI JAN 6 2012

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM AKST THIS
MORNING...

THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM AKST
THIS MORNING. 

* SNOW...STORM TOTAL ACCUMULATION OF 6 TO 14 INCHES.

* TIMING...SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THIS MORNING. THE HEAVIEST SNOW
  WILL FALL SOUTH AND WEST OF GLENNALLEN.

* IMPACTS...TRAVEL MAY BE DIFFICULT. VISIBILITIES MAY BE LIMITED 
  IN HEAVY SNOWFALL. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Anchorage, AK issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 5, 3:50 PM AKSTBlizzard WarningAFC48 hr
Jan 5, 3:50 PM AKSTWind Chill AdvisoryAFC13 hr
Jan 5, 4:00 PM AKSTBrisk Wind AdvisoryAFC48 hr
Jan 5, 4:00 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC60 hr
Jan 5, 4:00 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC48 hr
Jan 5, 4:00 PM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC36 hr
Jan 5, 4:00 PM AKSTHeavy Freezing Spray WarningAFC60 hr
Jan 5, 4:00 PM AKSTHeavy Freezing Spray WarningAFC4 days
Jan 6, 12:35 AM AKSTStorm WarningAFC3 hr
Jan 6, 4:00 AM AKSTGale WarningAFC24 hr
Jan 6, 4:00 AM AKSTGale WarningAFC36 hr
Jan 6, 4:42 AM AKSTWind Chill WarningAFC35 hr
Jan 6, 4:42 AM AKSTWind Chill AdvisoryAFC41 hr
Jan 6, 5:06 AM AKSTBlizzard WarningAFC48 hr
Jan 6, 7:25 AM AKSTBlizzard WarningAFC6 hr

Nearby

Blizzard Watches in Alaska, 2012Every blizzard watch in 2012

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text.