Alert archive / Alaska / Blizzard Warnings in 2014

Blizzard Warning 6, NWS Fairbanks, AK

January 23, 2014

NWS Fairbanks, AK issued this blizzard warning at Jan 23, 2014, 3:59 PM AKST. It was in force for 11 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 23, 2014, 3:59 PM AKST (00:59 UTC)
Expired
Jan 24, 2014, 3:08 AM AKST
In force
11 hr
Issued by
NWS Fairbanks, AK

The text

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

293 
WWAK41 PAFG 240059
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
359 PM AKST THU JAN 23 2014

AKZ201-241500-
/O.UPG.PAFG.WW.Y.0142.000000T0000Z-140125T0900Z/
/O.NEW.PAFG.BZ.W.0006.140124T0059Z-140124T1500Z/
WESTERN ARCTIC COAST-
INCLUDING...WAINWRIGHT...ATQASUK...POINT LAY...CAPE LISBURNE
359 PM AKST THU JAN 23 2014

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FAIRBANKS HAS ISSUED A BLIZZARD
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST FRIDAY. THE WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. 

* BLOWING SNOW...REDUCING VISIBILITY TO NEAT ZERO AT TIMES.

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

* WINDS...EAST 20 TO 35 WITH GUSTS TO 50 MPH.

* SNOW...SNOW ACCUMULATION 1 TO 2 INCHES.

* TIMING...CONDITIONS WILL PERSIST THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING.

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

&&

$$

AKZ202-241500-
/O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0142.000000T0000Z-140125T0900Z/
NORTHERN ARCTIC COAST-
INCLUDING...BARROW...ALAKTAK...PITT POINT...NULAVIK
359 PM AKST THU JAN 23 2014

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST
FRIDAY NIGHT...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BLOWING SNOW REMAINS IN EFFECT
UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST FRIDAY NIGHT. 

* BLOWING SNOW...REDUCING VISIBILITY TO LESS THAN ONE HALF MILE 
  AT TIMES. 

* WINDS...EAST 20 TO 30 WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH.

* TIMING...CONDITIONS WILL BE INTERMITTENT THROUGH FRIDAY 
  EVENING. 

* 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.

&&

$$

AKZ203-241500-
/O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0142.000000T0000Z-140125T0900Z/
CENTRAL BEAUFORT SEA COAST-
INCLUDING...NUIQSUT...PRUDHOE BAY...ALPINE...DEADHORSE...KUPARUK
359 PM AKST THU JAN 23 2014

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST
FRIDAY NIGHT...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BLOWING SNOW REMAINS IN EFFECT
UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST FRIDAY NIGHT. 

* BLOWING SNOW...REDUCING VISIBILITY TO LESS THAN ONE HALF MILE 
  AT TIMES. 

* WINDS...EAST 20 TO 30 WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH.

* TIMING...CONDITIONS WILL BE INTERMITTENT THROUGH FRIDAY 
  EVENING. 

* 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.

&&

$$
1 follow-up statement
632 
WWAK41 PAFG 241208
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
308 AM AKST FRI JAN 24 2014

AKZ201-250100-
/O.CAN.PAFG.BZ.W.0006.000000T0000Z-140124T1500Z/
/O.EXA.PAFG.WW.Y.0142.000000T0000Z-140125T0900Z/
WESTERN ARCTIC COAST-
INCLUDING...WAINWRIGHT...ATQASUK...POINT LAY...CAPE LISBURNE
308 AM AKST FRI JAN 24 2014

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST
TONIGHT...
...BLIZZARD WARNING IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FAIRBANKS HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BLOWING SNOW AND FREEZING RAIN...WHICH IS IN
EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST TONIGHT.

* BLOWING SNOW...REDUCING VISIBILITY TO LESS THAN ONE HALF MILE
  AT TIMES.

* ICE ACCUMULATION...LESS THAN ONE TENTH OF AN INCH.

* WINDS...EAST 15 TO 25 MPH GUSTING TO 35 MPH.

* TIMING...WINDS DIMINISHING SLOWLY THROUGH THE DAY. INTERMITTENT
  FREEZING RAIN THROUGH THE DAY.

* 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.

&&

$$

AKZ205-250100-
/O.NEW.PAFG.ZR.Y.0003.140124T1208Z-140125T0900Z/
NORTHWESTERN BROOKS RANGE-
INCLUDING...SINGILUK...UMIAT
308 AM AKST FRI JAN 24 2014

...FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST TONIGHT
FROM HOWARD PASS WEST...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FAIRBANKS HAS ISSUED A FREEZING
RAIN ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST TONIGHT. 

* LOCATION...HOWARD PASS WEST.

* ICE ACCUMULATIONS...LESS THAN ONE TENTH OF AN INCH.

* TIMING...INTERMITTENT FREEZING RAIN THROUGH THE DAY.

* IMPACTS...TRAVEL WILL BE DIFFICULT. ICE ACCUMULATIONS ON POWER
  LINES MAY CAUSE POWER OUTAGES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF FREEZING RAIN OR
FREEZING DRIZZLE WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES.

&&

$$

AKZ202-250100-
/O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0142.000000T0000Z-140125T0900Z/
NORTHERN ARCTIC COAST-
INCLUDING...BARROW...ALAKTAK...PITT POINT...NULAVIK
308 AM AKST FRI JAN 24 2014

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST
TONIGHT...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BLOWING SNOW REMAINS IN EFFECT
UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST TONIGHT. 

* BLOWING SNOW...REDUCING VISIBILITY TO LESS THAN ONE HALF MILE 
  AT TIMES. 

* WINDS...EAST 15 TO 25 WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH.

* TIMING...CONDITIONS WILL BE INTERMITTENT THROUGH THE DAY. WINDS
  DIMINISHING SLOWLY THROUGH THE DAY.

* 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.

&&

$$

AKZ203-250100-
/O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0142.000000T0000Z-140125T0900Z/
CENTRAL BEAUFORT SEA COAST-
INCLUDING...NUIQSUT...PRUDHOE BAY...ALPINE...DEADHORSE...KUPARUK
308 AM AKST FRI JAN 24 2014

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST
TONIGHT...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BLOWING SNOW REMAINS IN EFFECT
UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST TONIGHT. 

* BLOWING SNOW...REDUCING VISIBILITY TO LESS THAN ONE HALF MILE 
  AT TIMES. 

* WINDS...EAST 15 TO 25 WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH.

* TIMING...CONDITIONS WILL BE INTERMITTENT THROUGH THE DAY. WINDS
  DIMINISHING SLOWLY THROUGH THE DAY.

* 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.

&&

$$

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 23, 2:45 PM AKST, 1 hour 14 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 23, 2:45 PM AKST, 1 hour 14 minutes before
NORTHERN ALASKA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
245 PM AKST THU JAN 23 2014

.DISCUSSION...
MODELS IN FAIRLY GOOD AGREEMENT OVERALL WITH THE SYNOPTIC
FEATURES. THE PRECIPITATION FIELDS DIFFER TO EACH MODEL THOUGH.
THE MAIN FEATURE TO DISCUSS IS THE MASSIVE UPPER LEVEL RIDGE.

UPPER LEVEL RIDGE ENCOMPASSING ALL OF ALASKA IS IMPACTING THE
STATE MARKEDLY. IT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DIRECTING AN ENORMOUS SURGE
OF WARM AIR FROM THE TROPICS NORTHWARD TO ALASKA. THIS IS CAUSING
WIDESPREAD FREEZING RAIN OVER MUCH OF NORTHERN ALASKA AND JUST
PLAIN RAIN SOUTH OF THE ALASKA RANGE. THIS HAS SEVERELY HAMPERED
TRANSPORTATION IN NORTHERN ALASKA.

THE NEXT SHOT OF MOISTURE WILL STREAM NORTHWARD OVER THE
ALASKA RANGE TONIGHT. ALTHOUGH THE LOWER LEVEL WIND WILL INCREASE
TONIGHT AND PROVIDE DOWNSLOPE WINDS...IT MAY NOT BE QUITE ENOUGH
TO DRY OUT THE MOISTURE COMING OVER THE RANGE. THEREFORE ANOTHER
BOUT OF FREEZING RAIN IS POSSIBLE AGAIN OVER THE CENTRAL INTERIOR
AND WESTERN ZONES TONIGHT THROUGH FRI.

WINDS OVER THE ARCTIC COAST WILL CONTINUE THROUGH FRIDAY. THIS IS
CAUSING LOW VISIBILITY IN BLOWING SNOW. THE HIGH IN THE HIGH
ARCTIC COMBINED WITH THE LOW IN THE BERING SEA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
THE TIGHT GRADIENT ALONG THE ARCTIC COAST.

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WIND ADVISORY FOR AKZ223-AKZ225-AKZ226.

FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY FOR AKZ208-AKZ209-AKZ210-AKZ217-AKZ219-
AKZ220-AKZ221.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR AKZ201-AKZ202-AKZ203-AKZ211-AKZ212-
AKZ213-AKZ214-AKZ215-AKZ216-AKZ227.

GALE WARNING FOR PKZ230.

BRISK WIND ADVISORY FOR PKZ200-PKZ210-PKZ220-PKZ235-PKZ240-
PKZ245.
&&

CF JAN 14

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 24, 3:08 AM AKSTFreezing Rain AdvisoryAFG27 hr
Jan 24, 3:54 AM AKSTBrisk Wind AdvisoryAFG48 hr
Jan 24, 6:33 AM AKSTHigh Wind WarningAFG8 hr
Jan 24, 11:13 AM AKSTWinter Weather AdvisoryAFG9 hr
Jan 24, 2:50 PM AKSTBrisk Wind AdvisoryAFG23 hr

Nearby

Blizzard Warnings in Alaska, 2014Every blizzard 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.