Alert archive / Alaska / Blizzard Warnings in 2013

Blizzard Warning 22, NWS Fairbanks, AK

April 11, 2013

NWS Fairbanks, AK issued this blizzard warning at Apr 11, 2013, 4:03 AM AKDT. It was in force for 24 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Apr 11, 2013, 4:03 AM AKDT (12:03 UTC)
Expired
Apr 12, 2013, 4:16 AM AKDT
In force
24 hr
Issued by
NWS Fairbanks, AK

The text

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

319 
WWAK41 PAFG 111203
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
403 AM AKDT THU APR 11 2013

AKZ204-120100-
/X.CAN.PAFG.BZ.W.0020.000000T0000Z-130412T2000Z/
/X.NEW.PAFG.BZ.W.0022.130411T1203Z-130412T2000Z/
EASTERN BEAUFORT SEA COAST-
INCLUDING...KAKTOVIK...FLAXMAN ISLAND
403 AM AKDT THU APR 11 2013

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON AKDT FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FAIRBANKS HAS ISSUED A BLIZZARD
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON AKDT FRIDAY. 

* VISIBILITY...NEAR ZERO IN SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW.

* WINDS...WEST TO 50 MPH WITH GUSTS AS HIGH AS 65 MPH.

* TIMING...BLIZZARD CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH 
  NOON FRIDAY. 

* IMPACTS...VISIBILITY WILL BE VERY POOR AND SNOW WILL 
  ACCUMULATE INTO DRIFTS. WHITEOUT CONDITIONS SHOULD BE 
  EXPECTED. TRAVEL AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WILL BE EXTREMELY 
  DIFFICULT. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BLIZZARD WARNING MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS IN
BLOWING SNOW WITH STRONG WINDS AND VERY POOR VISIBILITIES ARE
OCCURRING OR EXPECTED.

&&

$$
3 follow-up statements
008 
WWAK41 PAFG 112221
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
221 PM AKDT THU APR 11 2013

AKZ204-121400-
/X.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0022.000000T0000Z-130412T2000Z/
EASTERN BEAUFORT SEA COAST-
INCLUDING...KAKTOVIK...FLAXMAN ISLAND
221 PM AKDT THU APR 11 2013

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON AKDT FRIDAY...

A BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON AKDT FRIDAY. 

* VISIBILITY...NEAR ZERO IN SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW.

* WINDS...WEST TO 50 MPH WITH GUSTS AS HIGH AS 65 MPH.

* TIMING...WINDS WILL BEGIN TO DIMINISH EARLY FRIDAY MORNING...BUT
  BLIZZARD CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH NOON.

* IMPACTS...VISIBILITY WILL BE VERY POOR AND SNOW WILL 
  ACCUMULATE INTO DRIFTS. WHITEOUT CONDITIONS SHOULD BE 
  EXPECTED. TRAVEL AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WILL BE EXTREMELY 
  DIFFICULT. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BLIZZARD WARNING MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS IN
BLOWING SNOW WITH STRONG WINDS AND VERY POOR VISIBILITIES ARE
OCCURRING OR EXPECTED.

&&

$$

AKZ206-121400-
/X.NEW.PAFG.WW.Y.0063.130411T2221Z-130412T1400Z/
NORTHEASTERN BROOKS RANGE-
INCLUDING...ANAKTUVUK PASS...ATIGUN PASS...GALBRAITH LAKE...
SAGWON...FRANKLIN BLUFFS
221 PM AKDT THU APR 11 2013

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKDT FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FAIRBANKS HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BLOWING SNOW AND WIND CHILL...WHICH IS IN
EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKDT FRIDAY.

* VISIBILITY...WILL BE REDUCED TO ONE HALF MILE AT TIMES IN
  BLOWING SNOW. 

* WIND CHILL...TO 50 BELOW OVERNIGHT.

* TIMING...VISIBILITIES WILL REMAIN LOW OVERNIGHT WHILE WIND CHILL
  VALUES WILL DROP TO 50 BELOW. CONDITIONS WILL IMPROVE EARLY FRI
  MORNING AS WEST WINDS 30 MPH BEGIN TO DIMINISH.

* IMPACTS...VISIBILITY WILL BE GREATLY REDUCED AND SNOW WILL
  ACCUMULATE INTO DRIFTS. WHITEOUT CONDITIONS MAY OCCUR. TRAVEL
  AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WILL BE DIFFICULT. EXPOSED FLESH WILL
  FREEZE IN A SHORT TIME RESULTING IN FROSTBITE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT ONE OR MORE WINTER WEATHER
HAZARDS ARE EXPECTED TO CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES.

&&

$$
JL APR 13
930 
WWAK41 PAFG 121208
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
408 AM AKDT FRI APR 12 2013

AKZ204-122015-
/X.CAN.PAFG.BZ.W.0022.000000T0000Z-130412T2000Z/
/X.NEW.PAFG.WW.Y.0064.130412T1208Z-130412T2100Z/
EASTERN BEAUFORT SEA COAST-
INCLUDING...KAKTOVIK...FLAXMAN ISLAND
408 AM AKDT FRI APR 12 2013

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM AKDT THIS
AFTERNOON...
...BLIZZARD WARNING IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FAIRBANKS HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BLOWING SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM
AKDT THIS AFTERNOON. THE BLIZZARD WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

* BLOWING SNOW...REDUCING VISIBILITY TO AROUND 1/2 MILE OR LESS
  THIS MORNING.

* WINDS...WEST AT 25 TO 35 MPH GUSTING TO 45 MPH.

* TIMING...WINDS WILL DIMINISH THROUGH THE MORNING. 

* IMPACTS...VISIBILITY WILL BE VERY POOR AND SNOW WILL ACCUMULATE
  INTO DRIFTS. WHITEOUT CONDITIONS SHOULD BE EXPECTED. TRAVEL AND
  OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WILL BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT ONE OR MORE WINTER WEATHER
HAZARDS ARE EXPECTED TO CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES.

&&

$$

AKZ206-121315-
/X.CAN.PAFG.WW.Y.0063.000000T0000Z-130412T1400Z/
NORTHEASTERN BROOKS RANGE-
INCLUDING...ANAKTUVUK PASS...ATIGUN PASS...GALBRAITH LAKE...
SAGWON...FRANKLIN BLUFFS
408 AM AKDT FRI APR 12 2013

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

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


$$
973 
WWAK41 PAFG 121217 CCA
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
416 AM AKDT FRI APR 12 2013

AKZ204-122045-
/X.CAN.PAFG.BZ.W.0022.000000T0000Z-130412T2000Z/
/X.COR.PAFG.WW.Y.0064.130412T1216Z-130412T2100Z/
EASTERN BEAUFORT SEA COAST-
INCLUDING...KAKTOVIK...FLAXMAN ISLAND
416 AM AKDT FRI APR 12 2013

CORRECTED WORDING

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM AKDT THIS
AFTERNOON...
...BLIZZARD WARNING IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FAIRBANKS HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BLOWING SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM
AKDT THIS AFTERNOON. THE BLIZZARD WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

* BLOWING SNOW...REDUCING VISIBILITY TO 1/2 MILE OR LESS THIS
  MORNING.

* WINDS...WEST AT 25 TO 35 MPH GUSTING TO 45 MPH.

* TIMING...WINDS WILL DIMINISH THROUGH THE MORNING. 

* IMPACTS...VISIBILITY WILL BE VERY POOR AND SNOW WILL ACCUMULATE
  INTO DRIFTS. WHITEOUT CONDITIONS SHOULD BE EXPECTED. TRAVEL AND
  OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WILL BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT ONE OR MORE WINTER WEATHER
HAZARDS ARE EXPECTED TO CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES.

&&

$$

AKZ206-121330-
/X.CAN.PAFG.WW.Y.0063.000000T0000Z-130412T1400Z/
NORTHEASTERN BROOKS RANGE-
INCLUDING...ANAKTUVUK PASS...ATIGUN PASS...GALBRAITH LAKE...
SAGWON...FRANKLIN BLUFFS
416 AM AKDT FRI APR 12 2013

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

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


$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this blizzard warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Fairbanks, AK wrote its last area forecast discussion before this blizzard warning went out at Apr 10, 1:25 PM AKDT, 14 hours 38 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 10, 1:25 PM AKDT, 14 hours 38 minutes before
NORTHERN ALASKA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
125 PM AKDT WED APR 10 2013

.DISCUSSION...
A 986 MB LOW CENTERED NEAR THE NICHOLSON PENINSULA IN THE
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES IS EXPECTED TO MOVE TO ABOUT 100 MILES
WEST OF MOULD BAY ON BANKS ISLAND BY THURSDAY AFTERNOON...WEAKENING
TO 994 MB BUT STILL REMAINING A MODERATELY STRONG SYSTEM. THE
NAM/ECMWF CONSENSUS IS PREFERRED HERE...THE GFS TAKES THE
LOW CENTER ABOUT 200 MILES FARTHER TO THE NORTH. BLIZZARD
CONDITIONS ARE NOW OCCURRING OVER ZONE 204 AND ARE EXPECTED
TO CONTINUE THROUGH AROUND NOON FRIDAY.

LOCAL BLIZZARD CONDITIONS ARE CONTINUING ALONG THE CHUKCHI
SEA COAST NORTHWEST OF CAPE KRUSENSTERN...MODEL WIND FORECASTS
INDICATE SLOWLY DECREASING WINDS TONIGHT. THE END OF THIS
EVENT IS NOT CLEARLY DEFINED...BUT WE WILL EXTEND THE
BLIZZARD WARNING TO 7 PM THIS EVENING. PERIODS OF LIGHT
SNOW ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE OVER THE NORTHERN INTERIOR
TONIGHT...BUT ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO
BE LESS THAN AN INCH. SNOW IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE OVER
ZONES 203-204-206 AND PARTS OF ZONES 202-205 TONIGHT...
AND OVER ZONES 203-204-206 THURSDAY. ADDITIONAL SNOWFALL
OF UP TO 3 INCHES IS EXPECTED IN ZONE 204...LOCAL AMOUNTS
OF 3-4 INCHES POSSIBLE IN EASTERN ZONE 206.

THE VERY COLD UPPER TROUGH DOMINATING THE NORTHERN ALASKA
MAINLAND WILL BE PUSHED EASTWARD INTO NORTHWEST CANADA
BY FRIDAY AS AN UPPER RIDGE BUILDS OVER THE BERING SEA.
TEMPERATURES ALOFT ARE EXPECTED TO MODERATE SOME OVER
THE EASTERN INTERIOR OVER THE WEEKEND BUT REMAIN BELOW
SEASONAL NORMALS. THIS SHOULD GET SOUTHERN INTERIOR
HIGH TEMPERATURES BACK INTO THE LOW TO MID 30S BY SUNDAY.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
NONE.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
NONE.

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
BLIZZARD WARNING FOR AKZ204-AKZ207.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR AKZ208.

GALE WARNING FOR PKZ245.

BRISK WIND ADVISORY FOR PKZ210-PKZ220-PKZ225-PKZ235.
&&

RF APR 13

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 11, 3:57 AM AKDTWinter Weather AdvisoryAFG24 hr
Apr 11, 2:21 PM AKDTWinter Weather AdvisoryAFG14 hr

Nearby

Blizzard Warnings in Alaska, 2013Every blizzard warning in 2013

Sources

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