Alert archive / Alaska / Blizzard Warnings in 2013

Blizzard Warning 7, NWS Fairbanks, AK

January 27, 2013

NWS Fairbanks, AK issued this blizzard warning at Jan 27, 2013, 2:50 PM AKST. It took effect at Jan 27, 2013, 3:00 PM AKST. It was in force for 12 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
Jan 27, 2013, 2:50 PM AKST (23:50 UTC)
In effect from
Jan 27, 2013, 3:00 PM AKST
Expired
Jan 28, 2013, 3:06 AM AKST
In force
12 hr
Issued by
NWS Fairbanks, AK

The text

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

176 
WWAK41 PAFG 272350
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
250 PM AKST SUN JAN 27 2013

AKZ204-281500-
/X.CAN.PAFG.WC.W.0003.000000T0000Z-130128T0300Z/
/X.NEW.PAFG.BZ.W.0007.130128T0000Z-130128T1500Z/
EASTERN BEAUFORT SEA COAST-
INCLUDING...KAKTOVIK...FLAXMAN ISLAND
250 PM AKST SUN JAN 27 2013

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST MONDAY...
...WIND CHILL WARNING IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FAIRBANKS HAS ISSUED A BLIZZARD
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST MONDAY. WIND CHILL
WARNING CONDITIONS ARE INCLUDED IN THE BLIZZARD WARNING.

* VISIBILITY...BLOWING SNOW REDUCING VISIBILITY TO ONE QUARTER
  MILE OR LESS AT TIMES.

* WINDS...WEST 30 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 50 MPH.

* WIND CHILL VALUES...TO 60 BELOW.

* TIMING...CONTINUING THROUGH TONIGHT.

* IMPACTS...EXPOSED FLESH CAN FREEZE IN A SHORT TIME RESULTING 
  IN FROSTBITE. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND CHILL WARNING MEANS THAT DANGEROUSLY LOW WIND CHILLS WITH
SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF 15 MPH OR MORE ARE OCCURRING OR
EXPECTED. IF OUTDOORS...COVER EXPOSED SKIN TO PREVENT FROSTBITE.

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

&&

$$

AKZ203-281500-
/X.UPG.PAFG.WC.Y.0010.000000T0000Z-130128T1400Z/
/X.EXB.PAFG.WC.W.0002.000000T0000Z-130128T1500Z/
CENTRAL BEAUFORT SEA COAST-
INCLUDING...NUIQSUT...PRUDHOE BAY...ALPINE...DEADHORSE...KUPARUK
250 PM AKST SUN JAN 27 2013

...WIND CHILL WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST MONDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FAIRBANKS HAS ISSUED A WIND CHILL
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST MONDAY. THE WIND
CHILL ADVISORY IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. 

* WIND CHILL VALUES...TO 65 BELOW.

* TIMING...LOW WIND CHILL DEVELOPING BY EARLY
  EVENING AND CONTINUING THROUGH 6 AM AKST MONDAY.

* IMPACTS...EXPOSED FLESH CAN FREEZE IN A SHORT TIME RESULTING 
  IN FROSTBITE. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND CHILL WARNING MEANS THAT DANGEROUSLY LOW WIND CHILLS WITH
SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF 15 MPH OR MORE ARE OCCURRING OR EXPECTED.
IF OUTDOORS...COVER EXPOSED SKIN TO PREVENT FROSTBITE.

&&

$$

AKZ206-281500-
/X.EXT.PAFG.WC.W.0002.000000T0000Z-130129T0300Z/
NORTHEASTERN BROOKS RANGE-
INCLUDING...ANAKTUVUK PASS...ATIGUN PASS...GALBRAITH LAKE...
SAGWON...FRANKLIN BLUFFS
250 PM AKST SUN JAN 27 2013

...WIND CHILL WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST MONDAY...

THE WIND CHILL WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST MONDAY. 

* LOCATION...IN PASSES.

* WIND CHILL VALUES...TO 70 BELOW.

* IMPACTS...EXPOSED FLESH CAN FREEZE IN A SHORT TIME RESULTING 
  IN FROSTBITE. POOR VISIBILITY AND DRIFTING AND BLOWING SNOW 
  WILL MAKE TRAVEL DIFFICULT. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND CHILL WARNING MEANS THAT DANGEROUSLY LOW WIND CHILLS WITH
SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF 15 MPH OR MORE ARE OCCURRING OR
EXPECTED. IF OUTDOORS...COVER EXPOSED SKIN TO PREVENT FROSTBITE.

&&

$$
2 follow-up statements
594 
WWAK41 PAFG 280248
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
548 PM AKST SUN JAN 27 2013

AKZ203-281230-
/X.EXT.PAFG.WC.W.0002.000000T0000Z-130129T0300Z/
CENTRAL BEAUFORT SEA COAST-
INCLUDING...NUIQSUT...PRUDHOE BAY...ALPINE...DEADHORSE...KUPARUK
548 PM AKST SUN JAN 27 2013

...WIND CHILL WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST MONDAY...

THE WIND CHILL WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST MONDAY. 

* WIND CHILL VALUES...TO 65 BELOW.

* TIMING...LOW WIND CHILL DEVELOPING BY EARLY EVENING AND 
  CONTINUING THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON. 

* IMPACTS...EXPOSED FLESH CAN FREEZE IN A SHORT TIME RESULTING 
  IN FROSTBITE. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND CHILL WARNING MEANS THAT DANGEROUSLY LOW WIND CHILLS WITH
SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF 15 MPH OR MORE ARE OCCURRING OR
EXPECTED. IF OUTDOORS...COVER EXPOSED SKIN TO PREVENT FROSTBITE.

&&

$$

AKZ204-281230-
/X.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0007.000000T0000Z-130128T1500Z/
EASTERN BEAUFORT SEA COAST-
INCLUDING...KAKTOVIK...FLAXMAN ISLAND
548 PM AKST SUN JAN 27 2013

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST MONDAY...

A BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST MONDAY. 

* VISIBILITY...BLOWING SNOW REDUCING VISIBILITY TO ONE QUARTER 
  MILE OR LESS AT TIMES. 

* WINDS...WEST 30 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 50 MPH.

* WIND CHILL VALUES...TO 60 BELOW.

* TIMING...CONTINUING THROUGH TONIGHT.

* IMPACTS...EXPOSED FLESH CAN FREEZE IN A SHORT TIME RESULTING 
  IN FROSTBITE. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND CHILL WARNING MEANS THAT DANGEROUSLY LOW WIND CHILLS WITH
SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF 15 MPH OR MORE ARE OCCURRING OR
EXPECTED. IF OUTDOORS...COVER EXPOSED SKIN TO PREVENT FROSTBITE.

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

&&

$$

AKZ206-281230-
/X.CON.PAFG.WC.W.0002.000000T0000Z-130129T0300Z/
NORTHEASTERN BROOKS RANGE-
INCLUDING...ANAKTUVUK PASS...ATIGUN PASS...GALBRAITH LAKE...
SAGWON...FRANKLIN BLUFFS
548 PM AKST SUN JAN 27 2013

...WIND CHILL WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST MONDAY...

A WIND CHILL WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST MONDAY. 

* LOCATION...IN PASSES.

* WIND CHILL VALUES...TO 70 BELOW.

* TIMING...CONTINUING THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON.

* IMPACTS...EXPOSED FLESH CAN FREEZE IN A SHORT TIME RESULTING 
  IN FROSTBITE. POOR VISIBILITY AND DRIFTING AND BLOWING SNOW 
  WILL MAKE TRAVEL DIFFICULT. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND CHILL WARNING MEANS THAT DANGEROUSLY LOW WIND CHILLS WITH
SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF 15 MPH OR MORE ARE OCCURRING OR
EXPECTED. IF OUTDOORS...COVER EXPOSED SKIN TO PREVENT FROSTBITE.

&&

$$
052 
WWAK41 PAFG 281206
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
306 AM AKST MON JAN 28 2013

AKZ204-282100-
/X.CAN.PAFG.BZ.W.0007.000000T0000Z-130128T1500Z/
/X.NEW.PAFG.WW.Y.0020.130128T1206Z-130128T2100Z/
EASTERN BEAUFORT SEA COAST-
INCLUDING...KAKTOVIK...FLAXMAN ISLAND
306 AM AKST MON JAN 28 2013

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON AKST TODAY...
...BLIZZARD WARNING IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FAIRBANKS HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BLOWING SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON
AKST TODAY. THE BLIZZARD WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

* VISIBILITY...ONE HALF MILE OR LESS AT TIMES IN BLOWING SNOW.

* WINDS...WEST 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH.

* TIMING...CONTINUING THROUGH TONIGHT.

* IMPACTS...VISIBILITY WILL BE GREATLY REDUCED AND SNOW WILL
  ACCUMULATE INTO DRIFTS. WHITEOUT CONDITIONS MAY OCCUR. TRAVEL
  AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WILL BE DIFFICULT. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$

AKZ203-282100-
/X.CON.PAFG.WC.W.0002.000000T0000Z-130129T0300Z/
CENTRAL BEAUFORT SEA COAST-
INCLUDING...NUIQSUT...PRUDHOE BAY...ALPINE...DEADHORSE...KUPARUK
306 AM AKST MON JAN 28 2013

...WIND CHILL WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST THIS
EVENING...

A WIND CHILL WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST THIS
EVENING. 

* WIND CHILL VALUES...TO 60 BELOW.

* TIMING...LOW WIND CHILL CONTINUING THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON.

* IMPACTS...EXPOSED FLESH CAN FREEZE IN A SHORT TIME RESULTING 
  IN FROSTBITE. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND CHILL WARNING MEANS THAT DANGEROUSLY LOW WIND CHILLS WITH
SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF 15 MPH OR MORE ARE OCCURRING OR
EXPECTED. IF OUTDOORS...COVER EXPOSED SKIN TO PREVENT FROSTBITE.

&&

$$

AKZ206-282100-
/X.CON.PAFG.WC.W.0002.000000T0000Z-130129T0300Z/
NORTHEASTERN BROOKS RANGE-
INCLUDING...ANAKTUVUK PASS...ATIGUN PASS...GALBRAITH LAKE...
SAGWON...FRANKLIN BLUFFS
306 AM AKST MON JAN 28 2013

...WIND CHILL WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST THIS
EVENING...

A WIND CHILL WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST THIS
EVENING. 

* LOCATION...IN PASSES.

* WIND CHILL VALUES...TO 70 BELOW.

* TIMING...CONTINUING THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON.

* IMPACTS...EXPOSED FLESH CAN FREEZE IN A SHORT TIME RESULTING 
  IN FROSTBITE. POOR VISIBILITY AND DRIFTING AND BLOWING SNOW 
  WILL MAKE TRAVEL DIFFICULT. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND CHILL WARNING MEANS THAT DANGEROUSLY LOW WIND CHILLS WITH
SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF 15 MPH OR MORE ARE OCCURRING OR
EXPECTED. IF OUTDOORS...COVER EXPOSED SKIN TO PREVENT FROSTBITE.

&&

$$

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 Jan 27, 5:57 AM AKST, 8 hours 53 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 27, 5:57 AM AKST, 8 hours 53 minutes before
NORTHERN ALASKA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
557 AM AKST SUN JAN 27 2013

.DISCUSSION...
MODELS DIVERGING EVEN BEFORE 48 HOURS. MODELS ARE SIMILAR PRIOR TO
THAT THOUGH. DEEP COLD LONG WAVE TROUGH OVER THE EASTERN INTERIOR
WILL PERSIST THROUGH MONDAY BEFORE MODERATING AFTER THAT. THE DEEP
COLD WILL CONTINUE TO AFFECT THE AREAS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE
GULF COAST. BY EARLY MON THE UPPER LEVEL RIDGE WILL BEGIN TO PUSH
NORTHWARD THROUGH THE GULF OF ALASKA. A SMALL SHORT WAVE TROUGH
WILL SLIDE DOWN THE WESTERN EXTENT OF THE UPPER TROUGH ALONG THE
ALCAN BORDER WHICH WILL HAVE NO BEARING ON MUCH OF THE INTERIOR
EXCEPT FOR POSSIBLY A FEW CLOUDS.

WINDS WILL START TO INCREASE IN THE BERING SEA AHEAD OF THE
NORTHWARD MOVING FRONTAL BOUNDARY. BY TUE AFTERNOON THE UPPER
RIDGE WILL HAVE CONTINUED NORTH ENOUGH SO THAT THE COLD AIR MASS
THAT WAS ONCE IN PLACE OVER MOST OF ALASKA WILL THEN BE REPLACED.

MUCH WARMER TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE SEEN AFTER THE BEGINNING OF
THE WEEK. THIS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE WEEK.

WIND CHILLS IN THE NORTHERN INTERIOR WILL PERSIST THROUGH AT LEAST
TONIGHT. THIS WILL INCLUDE THE ARCTIC COAST AS WELL. WINDS WILL BE
ON THE RISE AS WELL WITH THE INCREASED GRADIENT OVER THE EASTERN
ARCTIC WITH THE BUILDING IN OF THE RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE OVER THE
WESTERN PORTION OF THE STATE AND THE LOW OVER THE EASTERN PORTION
OF THE STATE.

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WIND CHILL ADVISORY FOR AKZ203-AKZ217-AKZ218-AKZ226.

DENSE FOG ADVISORY FOR AKZ222.

WIND CHILL WARNING FOR AKZ204-AKZ206.

GALE WARNING FOR PKZ245.

BRISK WIND ADVISORY FOR PKZ210-PKZ225-PKZ245.
&&

CF JAN 13

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 26, 3:11 PM AKSTBlizzard WarningAFG7 hr
Jan 26, 3:11 PM AKSTWind Chill AdvisoryAFG44 hr
Jan 27, 2:09 AM AKSTBrisk Wind AdvisoryAFG12 hr
Jan 27, 2:09 AM AKSTGale WarningAFG36 hr
Jan 27, 2:56 PM AKSTWind Chill AdvisoryAFG51 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.