Alert archive / Alaska / Storm Warnings in 2014

Storm Warning 170, NWS Anchorage, AK

December 25, 2014

NWS Anchorage, AK issued this storm warning at Dec 25, 2014, 3:07 PM AKST. It was in force for 13 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
Dec 25, 2014, 3:07 PM AKST (00:07 UTC)
Expired
Dec 26, 2014, 4:00 AM AKST
In force
13 hr
Issued by
NWS Anchorage, AK

The text

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

307 
FZAK52 PAFC 260007
CWFALU

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE ALASKA
307 PM AKST THU DEC 25 2014

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST FOR SOUTHWEST ALASKA+BRISTOL BAY+THE
ALASKA PENINSULA WATERS AND THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS UP TO 100 NM OUT.

WIND FORECASTS REFLECT THE PREDOMINANT SPEED AND DIRECTION
EXPECTED. SEA FORECASTS REPRESENT AN AVERAGE OF THE HIGHEST
ONE-THIRD OF THE COMBINED WIND WAVE AND SWELL HEIGHT.

PKZ199-261300-
307 PM AKST THU DEC 25 2014
.SYNOPSIS FOR SOUTHWEST ALASKA+BRISTOL BAY+THE ALASKA
PENINSULA WATERS AND THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS...
A WEATHER FRONT SITUATED FROM THE CENTRAL BERING TO THE KUSKOKWIM
DELTA MOVES INLAND OVER SOUTHWEST ALASKA TONIGHT. A 967 MB LOW
240 NM SOUTH OF ATTU STRENGTHENS TO 959 MB 145 NM NORTHWEST OF
ATTU LATE FRI MORNING...THEN MOVES TO 215 NM WEST-NORTHWEST OF
ATTU FRI AFTERNOON AND REMAINS STATIONARY WITH LITTLE CHANGE IN
STRENGTH THROUGH SAT AFTERNOON. AN ASSOCIATED WEATHER FRONT
CROSSES THE WESTERN ALEUTIANS INTO THE SOUTHWESTERN BERING THIS
EVENING AND THEN BECOMES STATIONARY AND WEAKENS OVER THE NORTHERN
AND EASTERN BERING LATE FRI INTO SAT.

$$

PKZ150-261300-
SOUTH OF THE AK PENINSULA SITKINAK TO CASTLE CAPE-
307 PM AKST THU DEC 25 2014

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SW WIND 30 KT. SEAS 16 FT.
.FRI...W WIND 30 KT DIMINISHING TO 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON.
SEAS 14 FT.
.FRI NIGHT...SW WIND 20 KT. SEAS 11 FT. PATCHY FOG.
.SAT...SE WIND 40 KT. SEAS 14 FT.
.SAT NIGHT AND SUN...SE WIND 40 KT. SEAS 20 FT.
.MON...SE WIND 35 KT. SEAS 15 FT.
.TUE...S WIND 30 KT. SEAS 15 FT.

$$

PKZ155-261300-
SOUTH OF THE AK PENINSULA CASTLE CAPE TO CAPE SARICHEF-
307 PM AKST THU DEC 25 2014

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SW WIND 35 KT. SEAS 18 FT.
.FRI...S WIND 30 KT EXCEPT W 25 KT FROM THE SHUMAGIN ISLANDS E.
SEAS 16 FT. PATCHY FOG.
.FRI NIGHT...S WIND 30 KT EXCEPT 20 KT FROM THE SHUMAGIN ISLANDS
E. SEAS 14 FT. PATCHY FOG.
.SAT...SE WIND 40 KT. SEAS 17 FT.
.SAT NIGHT...S WIND 40 KT. SEAS 16 FT.
.SUN...N WIND 25 KT. SEAS 11 FT.
.MON...S WIND 35 KT. SEAS 19 FT.
.TUE...S WIND 30 KT. SEAS 20 FT.

$$

PKZ160-261300-
BRISTOL BAY-
307 PM AKST THU DEC 25 2014

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH FRIDAY...

.TONIGHT...SW WIND 30 KT. SEAS 9 FT. RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS.
.FRI...W WIND 30 KT BECOMING S 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 11 FT
SUBSIDING TO 7 FT IN THE AFTERNOON. PATCHY FOG.
.FRI NIGHT...S WIND 20 KT. SEAS 6 FT. PATCHY FOG.
.SAT...SE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 6 FT.
.SAT NIGHT...SE WIND 40 KT. SEAS 9 FT.
.SUN...E WIND 35 KT. SEAS 7 FT.
.MON...SE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 6 FT.
.TUE...S WIND 25 KT. SEAS 5 FT.

$$

PKZ165-261300-
PORT HEIDEN TO CAPE SARICHEF-
307 PM AKST THU DEC 25 2014

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SW WIND 40 KT BECOMING W 30 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS
17 FT. RAIN SHOWERS.
.FRI...W WIND 25 KT IN THE MORNING BECOMING S 30 KT. SEAS 12 FT.
.FRI NIGHT...S WIND 30 KT. SEAS 10 FT. 
.SAT...SE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 9 FT.
.SAT NIGHT...S WIND 35 KT. SEAS 9 FT.
.SUN...NE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 6 FT.
.MON...SE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 8 FT.
.TUE...S WIND 30 KT. SEAS 9 FT.

$$

PKZ170-261300-
CAPE SARICHEF TO NIKOLSKI BERING SIDE-
307 PM AKST THU DEC 25 2014

...GALE WARNING THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SW WIND 40 KT BECOMING S 30 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS
19 FT. PATCHY FOG. RAIN SHOWERS.
.FRI...S WIND 45 KT. SEAS 15 FT. PATCHY FOG.
.FRI NIGHT...S WIND 35 KT. SEAS 13 FT. PATCHY FOG. RAIN.
.SAT...S WIND 35 KT. SEAS 12 FT.
.SAT NIGHT...S WIND 20 KT. SEAS 8 FT.
.SUN...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 9 FT.
.MON THROUGH TUE...SW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 12 FT.

$$

PKZ171-261300-
UNALASKA BAY-
307 PM AKST THU DEC 25 2014

...SMALL CRAFT THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SW WIND 25 KT WITH GUSTS TO 40 KT DIMINISHING TO S 20 
AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS 3 FT. PATCHY FOG.
.FRI...S WIND 25 KT. GUSTS TO 40 KT. SEAS 4 FT. 
.FRI NIGHT...S WIND 25 KT. GUSTS TO 40 KT. SEAS 4 FT. RAIN.
.SAT...S WIND 25 KT. SEAS 4 FT.
.SAT NIGHT...SW WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT.
.SUN...SE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT.
.MON THROUGH TUE...S WIND 20 KT. SEAS 3 FT.

$$

PKZ172-261300-
CAPE SARICHEF TO NIKOLSKI PACIFIC SIDE-
307 PM AKST THU DEC 25 2014

...GALE WARNING THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SW WIND 35 KT. SEAS 20 FT. 
.FRI...S WIND 40 KT. SEAS 19 FT. PATCHY FOG.
.FRI NIGHT...S WIND 35 KT. SEAS 23 FT. PATCHY FOG. RAIN AND SNOW.
.SAT...S WIND 30 KT. SEAS 19 FT.
.SAT NIGHT...SW WIND 20 KT. SEAS 11 FT.
.SUN...SE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 11 FT.
.MON...SW WIND 30 KT. SEAS 19 FT.
.TUE...SW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 22 FT.

$$

PKZ173-261300-
NIKOLSKI TO SEGUAM ISLAND BERING SIDE-
307 PM AKST THU DEC 25 2014

...STORM WARNING FRIDAY...

.TONIGHT...SW WIND 35 KT EARLY BECOMING S 45 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT.
SEAS 18 FT. PATCHY FOG. RAIN.
.FRI...S WIND 50 KT. SEAS 20 FT. PATCHY FOG. RAIN.
.FRI NIGHT...S WIND 30 KT. SEAS 18 FT SUBSIDING TO 13 FT AFTER
MIDNIGHT. RAIN.
.SAT...S WIND 25 KT. SEAS 12 FT.
.SAT NIGHT...SE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 10 FT.
.SUN...SE WIND 40 KT. SEAS 12 FT.
.MON...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 14 FT.
.TUE...SW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 12 FT.

$$

PKZ174-261300-
NIKOLSKI TO SEGUAM ISLAND PACIFIC SIDE-
307 PM AKST THU DEC 25 2014

...STORM WARNING FRIDAY...

.TONIGHT...SW WIND 35 KT INCREASING TO S 45 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT.
SEAS 21 FT. PATCHY FOG.
.FRI...S WIND 50 KT. SEAS 25 FT. PATCHY FOG. RAIN.
.FRI NIGHT...S WIND 25 KT. SEAS 23 FT. RAIN.
.SAT...S WIND 25 KT. SEAS 16 FT.
.SAT NIGHT...S WIND 35 KT. SEAS 13 FT.
.SUN...SE WIND 40 KT. SEAS 13 FT.
.MON...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 15 FT.
.TUE...SW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 19 FT.

$$

PKZ175-261300-
SEGUAM ISLAND TO ADAK BERING SIDE-
307 PM AKST THU DEC 25 2014

...GALE WARNING THROUGH FRIDAY...

.TONIGHT...S WIND 45 KT. SEAS 15 FT. PATCHY FOG. RAIN.
.FRI...S WIND 45 KT EARLY DIMINISHING TO SW 30 KT BY AFTERNOON.
SEAS 15 FT. RAIN AND SNOW.
.FRI NIGHT...S WIND 30 KT. SEAS 12 FT.  SNOW SHOWERS.
.SAT...S WIND 25 KT. SEAS 11 FT.
.SAT NIGHT...S WIND 20 KT. SEAS 9 FT.
.SUN...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 10 FT.
.MON...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 13 FT.
.TUE...SW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 13 FT.

$$

PKZ176-261300-
SEGUAM ISLAND TO ADAK PACIFIC SIDE-
307 PM AKST THU DEC 25 2014

...GALE WARNING THROUGH FRIDAY...

.TONIGHT...S WIND 45 KT. SEAS 24 FT. PATCHY FOG. RAIN.
.FRI...S WIND 45 KT DIMINISHING TO SW 30 KT BY AFTERNOON. SEAS 25
FT. RAIN.
.FRI NIGHT...S WIND 25 KT. SEAS 19 FT. SNOW SHOWERS.
.SAT...S WIND 25 KT. SEAS 16 FT.
.SAT NIGHT...SE WIND 35 KT. SEAS 14 FT.
.SUN THROUGH MON...W WIND 30 KT. SEAS 15 FT.
.TUE...SW WIND 30 KT. SEAS 17 FT.

$$

PKZ177-261300-
ADAK TO KISKA-
307 PM AKST THU DEC 25 2014

...GALE WARNING THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SE WIND 45 KT IN THE EVENING BECOMING SW 30 KT. SEAS
21 FT. RAIN.
.FRI...SW WIND 35 KT. SEAS 20 FT.  SNOW SHOWERS.
.FRI NIGHT...S WIND 35 KT. SEAS 18 FT. RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS.
.SAT...S WIND 35 KT. SEAS 19 FT.
.SAT NIGHT...S WIND 30 KT. SEAS 16 FT.
.SUN...W WIND 15 KT. SEAS 12 FT.
.MON...W WIND 25 KT. SEAS 12 FT.
.TUE...S WIND 30 KT. SEAS 13 FT.

$$

PKZ178-261300-
KISKA TO ATTU-
307 PM AKST THU DEC 25 2014

...STORM WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SE WIND 45 KT IN THE EVENING BECOMING SW 50 KT AFTER
MIDNIGHT. SEAS 25 FT. RAIN AND SNOW.
.FRI...SW WIND 45 KT. SEAS 25 FT. RAIN AND SNOW.
.FRI NIGHT...SW WIND 40 KT. SEAS 23 FT. RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS.
.SAT...SW WIND 40 KT. SEAS 23 FT.
.SAT NIGHT...SW WIND 35 KT. SEAS 18 FT.
.SUN THROUGH MON...W WIND 25 KT. SEAS 12 FT.
.TUE...SE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 13 FT.

$$

PKZ179-261300-
PRIBILOF ISLANDS NEAR SHORE WATERS-
307 PM AKST THU DEC 25 2014

...GALE WARNING FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...VARIABLE WIND 15 KT BECOMING SE 20 KT TOWARD MORNING.
SEAS 13 FT. RAIN AND SNOW.
.FRI...SE WIND 40 KT. SEAS 19 FT. PATCHY FOG. RAIN.
.FRI NIGHT...S WIND 35 KT DIMINISHING TO 25 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT.
SEAS 19 FT. PATCHY FOG. RAIN.
.SAT...S WIND 20 KT. SEAS 14 FT.
.SAT NIGHT...S WIND 25 KT. SEAS 11 FT.
.SUN...SE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 11 FT.
.MON...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 9 FT.
.TUE...S WIND 25 KT. SEAS 13 FT.

$$

PKZ180-261300-
KUSKOKWIM DELTA AND ETOLIN STRAIT-
307 PM AKST THU DEC 25 2014

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SW WIND 30 KT IN THE EVENING BECOMING NW 20 KT. SEAS
IN ICE FREE WATERS 10 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.FRI...NW WIND 20 KT BECOMING SE 25 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS IN
ICE FREE WATERS 10 FT. PATCHY FOG.
.FRI NIGHT...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 10 FT. PATCHY FOG.
.SAT...SE WIND 30 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 11 FT.
.SAT NIGHT...SE WIND 35 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 11 FT.
.SUN...NE WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 6 FT.
.MON...SE WIND 30 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 8 FT.
.TUE...S WIND 30 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 10 FT.

$$

PKZ181-261300-
NORTH AND WEST OF NUNIVAK ISLAND-
307 PM AKST THU DEC 25 2014

...GALE WARNING FRIDAY NIGHT...
...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING THROUGH FRIDAY...

.TONIGHT...N WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 8 FT. HEAVY
FREEZING SPRAY.
.FRI...N WIND 20 KT BECOMING E 30 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS IN
ICE FREE WATERS 7 FT. SNOW. HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY.
.FRI NIGHT...E WIND 35 KT IN THE EVENING BECOMING S 25 KT. SEAS
IN ICE FREE WATERS 12 FT. PATCHY FOG. RAIN AND SNOW.
.SAT AND SAT NIGHT...SE WIND 30 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 13 FT.
.SUN...SE WIND 20 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 7 FT.
.MON...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 7 FT.
.TUE...S WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 10 FT.

$$

PKZ185-261300-
SAINT MATTHEW ISLAND WATERS-
307 PM AKST THU DEC 25 2014

...STORM WARNING FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT...
...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...E OF SAINT MATTHEW ISLAND...N WIND 25 KT. W OF SAINT
MATTHEW ISLAND...NE WIND 30 KT BECOMING E 40 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT.
SEAS 13 FT. HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY FROM SAINT MATTHEW ISLAND NORTH.
.FRI...E OF SAINT MATTHEW ISLAND...NE WIND 30 KT BECOMING E 45 KT
IN THE AFTERNOON. W OF SAINT MATTHEW ISLAND...E WIND 50 KT. SEAS
19 FT. SNOW. HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY FROM SAINT MATTHEW ISLAND NORTH.
.FRI NIGHT...E WIND 50 KT IN THE EVENING BECOMING S 30 KT. SEAS
19 FT. SNOW IN THE EVENING CHANGING TO RAIN. HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY
IN THE EVENING NORTH OF SAINT MATTHEW ISLAND.
.SAT AND SAT NIGHT...SE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 18 FT.
.SUN...SE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 15 FT.
.MON...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 12 FT.
.TUE...S WIND 25 KT. SEAS 13 FT.

$$

What forecasters said that day

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

NWS Anchorage, AK wrote its last area forecast discussion before this storm warning went out at Dec 25, 5:00 AM AKST, 10 hours 7 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 25, 5:00 AM AKST, 10 hours 7 minutes before
SOUTHCENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST ALASKA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
500 AM AKST THU DEC 25 2014

.ANALYSIS AND UPPER LEVELS...OVERALL THE PATTERN HAS NOT CHANGED
MUCH OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS. THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE IS THAT THE
PARENT LOW OUT WEST HAS PUSHED ENOUGH FRONTS THROUGH THE PATTERN
THAT THE ATMOSPHERE ACROSS THE MAINLAND IS SLIGHTLY MORE RECEPTIVE
TO PRECIPITATION. ONE FRONT IS SLOWLY LIFTING AWAY FROM THE
ANCHORAGE BOWL BUT IS GETTING SOMEWHAT HUNG UP ON THE ALASKA
RANGE. THIS HAS KEPT SNOW FALLING MOST OF THE NIGHT OVER THE
SUSITNA VALLEY. THERE MAY BE LITTLE PERCEIVABLE BREAK FROM THIS
FRONT TO THE NEXT ONE THAT IS CURRENTLY MAKING LANDFALL OVER THE
BRISTOL BAY AREA. THERE IS NOT NEARLY AS MUCH COLD AIR AT THE
SURFACE AHEAD OF THIS FRONT AS THERE WAS WITH THE FIRST ONE. SO
THERE SHOULD BE A LOWER THREAT FOR ANY FREEZING PRECIPITATION WITH
A MOIST ADIABATIC ATMOSPHERE. PRECIPITATION WILL JUST CHANGE OVER
FROM SNOW TO RAIN AS THE WARM AIR MOVES IN. THERE IS SOME MARKEDLY
COLD AIR ALOFT SHOWING UP AS ENHANCED CUMULUS FROM THE ALASKA
PENINSULA THROUGH THE CENTRAL ALEUTIANS. THIS MEANS THAT THINGS
WILL CHANGE FROM A STRATIFORM TO A CONVECTIVE NATURE BEHIND
TODAY'S FRONT. AND THIS TRANSITION SHOULD ALSO BE ACCOMPANIED BY A
MODEST SHOT OF GUSTY SOUTH TO WEST WIND FROM THE COOK INLET TO
BRISTOL BAY WITH PRESSURE RISES.
IN THE UPPER LEVELS...ONE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TODAYS FRONT AND SOME
OF THE LIGHTER SNOW EVENTS OVER THE PAST WEEK IS THAT TODAY'S
SHOULD PICK UP SOME JET SUPPORT. A 120-130KT JET MOVES UP FROM
THE WESTERN GULF AND CLIPS THE SOUTH CENTRAL LATER TODAY. THIS
WILL SERVE TO PROVIDE SOME EXTRA LIFT IN THE COLUMN AS THE FRONT
MOVES THROUGH. INTO THE WEEKEND WE SEE THE CONTINUAL BUILDING OF
THE NORTH AMERICAN RIDGE OVER THE EASTERN HALF OF THE STATE. THIS
STILL LOOKS TO BRING A HEALTHY AMOUNT OF WARM AIR AND MOISTURE UP
FROM THE NORTH PACIFIC.

&&

.MODEL DISCUSSION...MODELS REMAIN IN DECENT AGREEMENT WITH THE
SYNOPTIC PATTERN BUT CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE WITH SOME OF THE
SMALLER SCALE FEATURES. FOR THE BIG PICTURE...THIS FORECAST FAVORS
A BLEND OF THE GFS AND EC ACROSS THE AREA. ONE THING WAS FOR
CERTAIN WAS THAT WE DID NOT LIKE THE WAY THE 00Z NAM WAS SHOWING
SOME DOWNSLOPING (ESPECIALLY IN QPF FIELDS) OVER THE ANCHORAGE
AREA WITH THE FRONT TODAY. PHYSICALLY THIS DOES NOT MAKE MUCH
SENSE WITH THE VORTICITY MAXIMUM COMING STRAIGHT OVER THE KENAI
MOUNTAINS AND ESSENTIALLY NO CROSS BARRIER FLOW. SO WE DID NOT
UTILIZE THE NAM WITH THIS PACKAGE. OTHERWISE THE PATTERN WILL NOT
CHANGE MUCH WITH A COUPLE MORE FRONTS BEING SLUNG BY THE PARENT LOW
WAY OUT WEST TOWARDS THE MAINLAND THROUGH EARLY SATURDAY. THE
BLEND WAS THE BEST WAY TO HANDLE SOME OF THESE FEATURES FOR NOW
UNTIL THEY ARE BETTER RESOLVED BY ONE SPECIFIC MODEL AND/OR THE
HIGHER RESOLUTION MODELS. INTO SUNDAY...CONFIDENCE IS GROWING IN
THIS PART OF THE FORECAST AS BOTH THE EC AND GFS SHOW A RIDGE
BUILD OVER THE EASTERN HALF OF THE MAINLAND WITH AN ATMOSPHERIC
RIVER SETTING UP OVER THE SOUTHWEST.

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA (DAYS 1 AND 2)...
A FRONT MOVING INTO SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA TODAY WILL BRING SNOW OVER
MUCH OF THE REGION. TEMPERATURES WILL BE WARM ENOUGH IN THE
SOUTHERN COOK INLET REGION AND ALONG THE GULF COAST TO MIX WITH OR
TURN TO RAIN WITH THE SOUTHERLY WINDS.
THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL AMOUNTS WILL BE IN THE SUSITNA VALLEY FROM
TALKEETNA NORTH. THE HATCHER PASS AREA MAY ALSO SEE SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL
AMOUNTS THROUGH TONIGHT IN THE SOUTHWEST FLOW.

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHWEST ALASKA (DAYS 1 AND 2)...
SOUTHWEST FLOW CONTINUES TO BRING PRECIPITATION TO THE SOUTHWEST
THAT WILL LAST INTO FRIDAY AS RIDGING WILL BUILD IN THIS EVENING
AND TONIGHT. THE SOUTHWEST FLOW HAS BEEN STRONG ENOUGH TO PULL UP
SOME WARMER AIR FROM THE NORTH PACIFIC AND CHANGE OVER SOME OF THE
SNOW AROUND BRISTOL BAY TO RAIN. HOWEVER...THE RAIN WILL BE SHORT
LIVED AS MORE COLD AIR WILL BROUGHT IN TODAY. THEN LATER ON FRIDAY
THE FLOW WILL BECOME MORE SOUTHERLY BRINGING BACK MORE WARM AIR TO
THE AREA.

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS (DAYS 1 AND 2)...
THE BROAD AREA OF LOW PRESSURE OVER THE BERING IS WEAKENING BUT
IS STILL BRINGING STRONGER WINDS TO THE ALEUTIANS. THIS AFTERNOON
A SYSTEM WILL MOVE IN TOWARDS THE WESTERN ALEUTIANS FROM THE NORTH
PACIFIC WITH A FRONT THAT WILL MAKE IT OVER THE CENTRAL ALEUTIANS
THIS EVENING. THIS SYSTEM WILL BRING STRONG GUSTY WINDS TO THE
WESTERN ALEUTIANS AND MORE PRECIPITATION TO THE ISLANDS. THE FRONT
ITSELF WILL HAVE ENOUGH OF A WARM PUSH TO BE ALL RAIN FOR THE
CENTRAL AND EVENTUALLY EASTERN ALEUTIANS.

&&

.LONG TERM FORECAST (SAT DEC 27 - THU JAN 1)...

A SIGNIFICANT SHIFT IN THE PATTERN WILL BE UNDERWAY BEGINNING THE
EXTENDED PERIOD SATURDAY AS A LARGE NORTHEAST PACIFIC RIDGE
AMPLIFIES INTO ALASKA...AND A LARGE AND SPRAWLING ALEUTIAN LOW
BEGINS TO INTERACT WITH A PLUME OF SUBTROPICAL MOISTURE
ORIGINATING FROM THE CENTRAL PACIFIC. BY LATE SATURDAY INTO
SUNDAY...AN ATMOSPHERIC MOISTURE RIVER AND PLUME OF WARM AIR WILL
PUSH INTO SOUTHWEST ALASKA...BRINGING SNOW AND RAIN TO THE
REGION...WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF FREEZING RAIN IN PRONE AREAS. A
SERIES OF POTENT UPPER LEVEL WAVE DISTURBANCES ALOFT WILL TRACK
ACROSS THE WESTERN PERIPHERY OF THE RIDGE AXIS...BRINGING MORE
MOISTURE AND WARM AIR WITH EACH SUCCESSIVE LOW...EVENTUALLY
RESULTING IN A TURNOVER TO ALL RAIN ACROSS MOST LOCATIONS. THE
MOISTURE RIVER WILL EVENTUALLY SET ITS SIGHTS ON SOUTHCENTRAL
ALASKA...WITH HEAVY RAIN IMPACTING COASTAL LOCATIONS.
PRECIPITATION TYPE WILL BE A CHALLENGE ACROSS INLAND LOCATIONS
SUNDAY AND EARLY MONDAY...WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR A MIX OF
RAIN...SNOW...AND FREEZING RAIN. HOWEVER...MOST INLAND LOCATIONS
ACROSS SOUTHCENTRAL WILL SEE A DRAMATIC DOWNSLOPE SHADOW...WITH
THE MAIN EXCEPTION BEING THE KENAI PENINSULA. EVENTUALLY THE
ALEUTIAN LOW DRIVING THE ATMOSPHERIC RIVER WILL SHIFT EAST
SOMETIME LATE MONDAY THROUGH EARLY WEDNESDAY...WITH COOLER AIR AND
DRIER CONDITIONS SETTING UP FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE EXTENDED
PERIOD.

WITH ALL THAT SAID...WINTER LOOKS TO REMAIN QUITE ELUSIVE ACROSS
SOUTHERN ALASKA. NO MAJOR COLD AIR OUTBREAKS OR SNOWY PATTERNS ARE
EXPECTED HEADING INTO EARLY JANUARY AS BLOCKING LOOKS TO REMAIN
STOUT ACROSS THE REGION.

&&

.AFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PUBLIC...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY 145.
MARINE...GALE 120 131 132 150 155 160 165 170 172-177 179 180.
         STORM 178 185.
         HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY 185.
FIRE WEATHER...NONE.

&&

SYNOPSIS AND MODEL DISCUSSION...MSO
SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA...--
SOUTHWEST ALASKA/BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS...DK
LONG TERM...AHSENMACHER

In the hours before

Local storm report, Dec 25, 10:37 AM AKST, 4 hours 30 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
1037 AM AKST THU DEC 25 2014

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1029 AM     SNOW             6 NW BENTALIT           61.62N 150.75W
12/25/2014  M5.0 INCH                           AK   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SNOW TOTAL SINCE MIDNIGHT. 1 INCH IN THE LAST HOUR. LESS
            THAN ONE QUARTER MILE VISIBILITY.

&&

JPW
Local storm report, Dec 25, 12:15 PM AKST, 2 hours 52 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
1215 PM AKST THU DEC 25 2014

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1029 AM     SNOW             6 NW BENTALIT           61.62N 150.75W
12/25/2014  M5.0 INCH                           AK   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SNOW TOTAL SINCE MIDNIGHT. 1 INCH IN THE LAST HOUR. LESS
            THAN ONE QUARTER MILE VISIBILITY.

1210 PM     SNOW             GLEN ALPS               61.10N 149.69W
12/25/2014  E2.0 INCH                           AK   TRAINED SPOTTER

1210 PM     SNOW             2 WNW GLEN ALPS         61.11N 149.74W
12/25/2014  M1.3 INCH                           AK   TRAINED SPOTTER

1210 PM     SNOW             4 NNW PALMER            61.65N 149.15W
12/25/2014  M0.6 INCH                           AK   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SNOWING HEAVILY.

1210 PM     SNOW             10 NE WASILLA           61.68N 149.25W
12/25/2014  M1.0 INCH                           AK   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

JPW
Local storm report, Dec 25, 12:22 PM AKST, 2 hours 45 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
1222 PM AKST THU DEC 25 2014

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1217 PM     SNOW             6 SW ANCHORAGE          61.15N 149.98W
12/25/2014  M1.6 INCH                           AK   OFFICIAL NWS OBS

            9AM THROUGH NOON SNOWFALL.

&&

JPW
Local storm report, Dec 25, 12:49 PM AKST, 2 hours 18 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
1249 PM AKST THU DEC 25 2014

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1029 AM     SNOW             6 NW BENTALIT           61.62N 150.75W
12/25/2014  M5.0 INCH                           AK   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SNOW TOTAL SINCE MIDNIGHT. 1 INCH IN THE LAST HOUR. LESS
            THAN ONE QUARTER MILE VISIBILITY.

1210 PM     SNOW             GLEN ALPS               61.10N 149.69W
12/25/2014  E2.0 INCH                           AK   TRAINED SPOTTER

1210 PM     SNOW             2 WNW GLEN ALPS         61.11N 149.74W
12/25/2014  M1.3 INCH                           AK   TRAINED SPOTTER

1210 PM     SNOW             4 NNW PALMER            61.65N 149.15W
12/25/2014  M0.6 INCH                           AK   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SNOWING HEAVILY.

1210 PM     SNOW             10 NE WASILLA           61.68N 149.25W
12/25/2014  M1.0 INCH                           AK   TRAINED SPOTTER

1217 PM     SNOW             6 SW ANCHORAGE          61.15N 149.98W
12/25/2014  M1.6 INCH                           AK   OFFICIAL NWS OBS

            9AM THROUGH NOON SNOWFALL.

1230 PM     SNOW             6 N WILLOW              61.82N 150.08W
12/25/2014  E4.0 INCH                           AK   TRAINED SPOTTER

            LIGHT SNOW.

1235 PM     SNOW             32 NNE CHASE            62.89N 149.84W
12/25/2014  M5.5 INCH                           AK   TRAINED SPOTTER

            5.5 INCHES FOR STORM TOTAL. 9.0 INCHES FOR TWO-DAY TOTAL
            BETWEEN MULTIPLE EVENTS.

1235 PM     SNOW             6 WSW TALKEETNA         62.31N 150.26W
12/25/2014  M4.5 INCH                           AK   TRAINED SPOTTER

            2.0 INCHES TODAY. 2.5 INCHES LAST NIGHT.

&&

JPW

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 25, 3:07 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC13 hr
Dec 25, 3:07 PM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC13 hr
Dec 25, 3:07 PM AKSTHeavy Freezing Spray WarningAFC13 hr
Dec 25, 3:18 PM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC48 hr
Dec 26, 3:20 AM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC36 hr
Dec 26, 4:02 AM AKSTGale WarningAFC3 days
Dec 26, 4:02 AM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC11 hr
Dec 26, 4:02 AM AKSTStorm WarningAFC23 hr
Dec 26, 4:02 AM AKSTHeavy Freezing Spray WarningAFC23 hr
Dec 26, 10:23 AM AKSTWinter Weather AdvisoryAFC14 hr
Dec 26, 2:50 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC49 hr
Dec 26, 2:50 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC36 hr
Dec 26, 2:50 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC4 days
Dec 26, 2:50 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC4 days
Dec 26, 2:50 PM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC13 hr
Dec 26, 2:50 PM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC24 hr

Nearby

Storm Warnings in Alaska, 2014Every storm warning in 2014

Sources

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