Gale Warning 168, NWS Fairbanks, AK

096 
FZAK51 PAFG 302321
CWFNSB

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST FOR ARCTIC ALASKA
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
221 PM AKST FRI DEC 30 2016

ARCTIC ALASKA COASTAL WATERS OUT 100 NM

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

PKZ298-311500-
221 PM AKST FRI DEC 30 2016

.SYNOPSIS FOR ARCTIC COAST...
A 980 MB LOW EAST OF KAMCHATKA PENINSULA WILL MOVE TO THE CENTRAL
RUSSIAN BERING SEA COAST AS A 956 MB LOW BY SAT EVENING.

$$

PKZ225-311500-
CAPE THOMPSON TO CAPE BEAUFORT-
221 PM AKST FRI DEC 30 2016

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON...

.TONIGHT...SW WINDS 40 KT. 
.SAT...SW WINDS 35 KT.
.SAT NIGHT...SE WINDS 30 KT. BLOWING SNOW. SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR
LESS. 
.SUN...S WINDS 35 KT. BLOWING SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.SUN NIGHT...S WINDS 30 KT. 
.MON...S WINDS 25 KT. 
.MON NIGHT...S WINDS 25 KT. 
.TUE...SW WINDS 25 KT. 
.WED...SW WINDS 20 KT.  

$$

PKZ230-311500-
CAPE BEAUFORT TO POINT FRANKLIN-
221 PM AKST FRI DEC 30 2016

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON...

.TONIGHT...SW WINDS 40 KT. 
.SAT...SW WINDS 40 KT. 
.SAT NIGHT...E WINDS 20 KT. SNOW.
.SUN...S WINDS 30 KT. BLOWING SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.SUN NIGHT...S WINDS 30 KT. 
.MON...S WINDS 25 KT. 
.MON NIGHT...S WINDS 25 KT. 
.TUE...SW WINDS 30 KT. 
.WED...W WINDS 25 KT.  

$$

PKZ235-311500-
POINT FRANKLIN TO CAPE HALKETT-
221 PM AKST FRI DEC 30 2016

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH EARLY SATURDAY MORNING...

.TONIGHT...SW WINDS 40 KT.
.SAT...W WINDS 40 KT DIMINISHING TO 25 KT BY AROUND NOON.
BLOWING SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS.
.SAT NIGHT...E WINDS 15 KT. SNOW.
.SUN...S WINDS 20 KT. BLOWING SNOW. SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.SUN NIGHT...SW WINDS 25 KT. 
.MON...S WINDS 25 KT. 
.MON NIGHT...S WINDS 20 KT. 
.TUE...SW WINDS 25 KT. 
.WED...W WINDS 25 KT.  

$$

PKZ240-311500-
CAPE HALKETT TO FLAXMAN ISLAND-
221 PM AKST FRI DEC 30 2016

...BRISK WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON...

.TONIGHT...SW WINDS 30 KT DECREASING TO 20 KT. 
.SAT...W WINDS 25 KT. BLOWING SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.SAT NIGHT...SW WINDS 15 KT. 
.SUN...S WINDS 20 KT. SNOW.
.SUN NIGHT...SW WINDS 20 KT. 
.MON...SW WINDS 15 KT. 
.MON NIGHT...SW WINDS 20 KT. 
.TUE...W WINDS 25 KT. 
.WED...W WINDS 25 KT.  

$$

PKZ245-311500-
FLAXMAN ISLAND TO DEMARCATION POINT-
221 PM AKST FRI DEC 30 2016

...BRISK WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON...

.TONIGHT...W WINDS 30 KT DECREASING TO 20 KT. 
.SAT...W WINDS 30 KT. BLOWING SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.SAT NIGHT...W WINDS 20 KT. BLOWING SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.SUN...S WINDS 15 KT. SNOW.
.SUN NIGHT...SW WINDS 20 KT. 
.MON...W WINDS 20 KT. 
.MON NIGHT...S WINDS 15 KT. 
.TUE...W WINDS 25 KT. 
.WED...W WINDS 25 KT.  

$$

DEC 16

361 
FZAK51 PAFG 311209
CWFNSB

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST FOR ARCTIC ALASKA
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
309 AM AKST SAT DEC 31 2016

ARCTIC ALASKA COASTAL WATERS OUT 100 NM

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

PKZ298-010015-
309 AM AKST SAT DEC 31 2016

.SYNOPSIS FOR ARCTIC COAST...
A 976 MB LOW EAST OF KAMCHATKA PENINSULA WILL MOVE TO THE CENTRAL
RUSSIAN BERING SEA COAST AS A 956 MB LOW BY THIS EVENING.

$$

PKZ225-010015-
CAPE THOMPSON TO CAPE BEAUFORT-
309 AM AKST SAT DEC 31 2016

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM TONIGHT THROUGH EARLY SUNDAY
MORNING...

.TODAY...SW WINDS 25 KT BECOMING S 15 KT. 
.TONIGHT...SE WINDS 35 KT. BLOWING SNOW. SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS.
.SUN...S WINDS 40 KT. BLOWING SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.SUN NIGHT...S WINDS 35 KT. BLOWING SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.MON...S WINDS 30 KT. 
.MON NIGHT...SE WINDS 25 KT. 
.TUE...SW WINDS 35 KT. 
.WED...W WINDS 45 KT.  

$$

PKZ230-010015-
CAPE BEAUFORT TO POINT FRANKLIN-
309 AM AKST SAT DEC 31 2016

...BRISK WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH EARLY SUNDAY MORNING...

.TODAY...SW WINDS 30 KT. BLOWING SNOW.
.TONIGHT...E WINDS 25 KT. BLOWING SNOW. SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.SUN...S WINDS 30 KT. BLOWING SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.SUN NIGHT...S WINDS 30 KT. BLOWING SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.MON...S WINDS 30 KT. 
.MON NIGHT...SE WINDS 20 KT. 
.TUE...SW WINDS 35 KT. 
.WED...W WINDS 40 KT.  

$$

PKZ235-010015-
POINT FRANKLIN TO CAPE HALKETT-
309 AM AKST SAT DEC 31 2016

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH EARLY THIS AFTERNOON...

.TODAY...W WINDS 35 KT. BLOWING SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.TONIGHT...E WINDS 20 KT. SNOW.
.SUN...S WINDS 25 KT. BLOWING SNOW. SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.SUN NIGHT...SW WINDS 25 KT. BLOWING SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.MON...S WINDS 30 KT. 
.MON NIGHT...SE WINDS 20 KT. 
.TUE...SW WINDS 35 KT. 
.WED...W WINDS 45 KT.  

$$

PKZ240-010015-
CAPE HALKETT TO FLAXMAN ISLAND-
309 AM AKST SAT DEC 31 2016

...BRISK WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE THIS AFTERNOON...

.TODAY...W WINDS 30 KT. BLOWING SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.TONIGHT...SW WINDS 20 KT. 
.SUN...S WINDS 20 KT. SNOW.
.SUN NIGHT...SW WINDS 25 KT. BLOWING SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.MON...SW WINDS 20 KT. 
.MON NIGHT...SE WINDS 15 KT. 
.TUE...SW WINDS 30 KT. 
.WED...W WINDS 40 KT.  

$$

PKZ245-010015-
FLAXMAN ISLAND TO DEMARCATION POINT-
309 AM AKST SAT DEC 31 2016

...BRISK WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE THIS AFTERNOON...

.TODAY...W WINDS 30 KT. BLOWING SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.TONIGHT...W WINDS 20 KT. BLOWING SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.SUN...SE WINDS 15 KT. 
.SUN NIGHT...SW WINDS 25 KT. 
.MON...W WINDS 25 KT. 
.MON NIGHT...SE WINDS 15 KT. 
.TUE...SW WINDS 25 KT. 
.WED...W WINDS 40 KT.  

$$

DEC 16

005 
FZAK51 PAFG 312248
CWFNSB

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST FOR ARCTIC ALASKA
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
148 PM AKST SAT DEC 31 2016

ARCTIC ALASKA COASTAL WATERS OUT 100 NM

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

PKZ298-011500-
148 PM AKST SAT DEC 31 2016

.SYNOPSIS FOR ARCTIC COAST...
A 956 MB LOW 600 NM WEST OF SAINT LAWRENCE ISLAND WILL MOVE NORTH
OVER EASTERN RUSSIA TO WEST OF WRANGEL ISLAND BY MID DAY SUNDAY. A
WEATHER FRONT WILL MOVE EAST ACROSS THE SOUTH CHUKCHI SEA SATURDAY
NIGHT AND NORTH OVER THE ARCTIC COAST SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY.

$$

PKZ225-011500-
CAPE THOMPSON TO CAPE BEAUFORT-
148 PM AKST SAT DEC 31 2016

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON...

.TONIGHT...S WINDS 35 KT. BLOWING SNOW. SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS.
.SUN...S WINDS 40 KT. BLOWING SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS.
.SUN NIGHT...S WINDS 30 KT. BLOWING SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.MON...S WINDS 30 KT. BLOWING SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.MON NIGHT...S WINDS 30 KT. 
.TUE...SW WINDS 25 KT. 
.TUE NIGHT...S WINDS 25 KT. 
.WED...W WINDS 45 KT. 
.THU...S WINDS 25 KT.  

$$

PKZ230-011500-
CAPE BEAUFORT TO POINT FRANKLIN-
148 PM AKST SAT DEC 31 2016

...BRISK WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH TONIGHT...
...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM LATE SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY
MORNING...

.TONIGHT...E WINDS 15 KT INCREASING TO 25 KT. BLOWING SNOW. SNOW.
VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.SUN...S WINDS 35 KT. BLOWING SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.SUN NIGHT...S WINDS 30 KT. BLOWING SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.MON...S WINDS 30 KT. BLOWING SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.MON NIGHT...S WINDS 25 KT. 
.TUE...SW WINDS 30 KT. 
.TUE NIGHT...SW WINDS 30 KT. 
.WED...W WINDS 40 KT. 
.THU...SW WINDS 25 KT.  

$$

PKZ235-011500-
POINT FRANKLIN TO CAPE HALKETT-
148 PM AKST SAT DEC 31 2016

...BRISK WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH
SUNDAY AFTERNOON...

.TONIGHT...SW WINDS 15 KT BECOMING E. 
.SUN...S WINDS 25 KT. BLOWING SNOW. SNOW.
.SUN NIGHT...SW WINDS 20 KT. BLOWING SNOW. 
.MON...S WINDS 25 KT. BLOWING SNOW. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS. 
.MON NIGHT...SW WINDS 20 KT. 
.TUE...SW WINDS 25 KT. 
.TUE NIGHT...W WINDS 35 KT. 
.WED...W WINDS 45 KT. 
.THU...W WINDS 25 KT.  

$$

PKZ240-011500-
CAPE HALKETT TO FLAXMAN ISLAND-
148 PM AKST SAT DEC 31 2016

...BRISK WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH
SUNDAY AFTERNOON...

.TONIGHT...SW WINDS 20 KT BECOMING E 10 KT. 
.SUN...SW WINDS 25 KT. BLOWING SNOW. SNOW.
.SUN NIGHT...SW WINDS 20 KT. BLOWING SNOW. 
.MON...SW WINDS 20 KT. 
.MON NIGHT...SW WINDS 20 KT. 
.TUE...SW WINDS 25 KT. 
.TUE NIGHT...SW WINDS 30 KT. 
.WED...W WINDS 40 KT. 
.THU...W WINDS 25 KT.  

$$

PKZ245-011500-
FLAXMAN ISLAND TO DEMARCATION POINT-
148 PM AKST SAT DEC 31 2016

...BRISK WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...

.TONIGHT...W WINDS 25 KT BECOMING S 10 KT. BLOWING SNOW. VSBY
1 NM OR LESS. 
.SUN...SE WINDS 15 KT. 
.SUN NIGHT...SW WINDS 20 KT. BLOWING SNOW. 
.MON...W WINDS 20 KT. BLOWING SNOW. 
.MON NIGHT...SW WINDS 20 KT. 
.TUE...W WINDS 20 KT. 
.TUE NIGHT...SW WINDS 25 KT. 
.WED...W WINDS 40 KT. 
.THU...W WINDS 30 KT.  

$$

DEC 16

Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
445 PM AKST Thu Dec 29 2016

.DISCUSSION...
Models are in relatively good agreement with the track of this
system but it is moving a little faster than original forecast.
This morning the storm system impacting the West Coast was
readily underway but anticipation of the freezing rain and then
transition to all rain occurred earlier in the morning than
anticipated. In fact rain still remains over portions of the Yukon
Delta and into Holy Cross at this time and is a potential as the
warm air aloft moves eastward towards the Upper Kuskokwim Valley
this evening. This rain or wintry mix will transition back to
snow later in the evening. The winds were also a slightly higher
than expected with updating much of the area to increase the wind
gusts by 10 mph across with West Coast.

This major Bering Sea storm has already moved across West Coast
of Alaska with some areas showing diminishing winds and some
slight improvement to weather conditions. For the West Coast have
extended the warnings across the area through Saturday morning
because there will be a brief decrease in winds and improvement
in visibilities, but another second system is quickly moving in
behind with increasing winds to 50 to 70 mph once again Friday
afternoon into Saturday morning. Expect the weather conditions to
improve after 9 pm tonight for the Western Interior. Thus, expect
these warnings to allowed to expire. Likely new advisories or
warnings will need to be as the second system starts to move into
the northern portions of the Western Interior.

With the second system the main concerns are also coastal flooding
potential. Coastal flood warnings are along Norton Sound area and
St Lawrence Island. Latest storm surge values have increased with
much of the Norton Sound area showing 4-9 feet of storm surge
coinciding at high tide Friday into Saturday. There is much
uncertainty in the Norton Sound due to how much sea ice may dampen
the surge. However, the strong southwest winds may also break up
the ice or even the high tide coming over the ice which could
cause flooding potential. There is more confidence of coastal
flooding in Gamble area only because the there is not as much sea
ice and with the strong winds and fetch being able to break up the
sea ice. At high tide this afternoon, reports from Nome indicated
that high tide was coming over the ice. As mentioned the highest
storm surge is expected to coincide with high tide Friday
afternoon into Saturday. Depending on what occurs with this event,
there is yet a third system that will move across the same area
with strong south winds impacting the St Lawrence Island and
Norton Sound on Saturday night into Sunday. The storm surge comes
back up for these locations once again but not as high as
forecasted on event that is expected to occur Friday night into
Saturday.

The initial weather front has already spread heavy snow from the
Yukon River Delta north to Kotzebue Sound and inland into the
western Interior. Southeast winds gusting from 50 to 70 mph have
resulted in near zero visibility in many coastal locations with
several powers outages, particularly across Kotzebue. Heavy snow
and increasing winds will continue to push east across the state
as snow has started across the greater Fairbanks area. Heavy snow
is expected across the area with 8 to 15 inches with heaviest
anticipated tonight. Winds have already increased across the
Central Interior and expected to be even stronger on Friday night
into Saturday with west to northwest of 50 to 60 mph. The North
American Ensemble Forecast System still indicating 5 to 6
standard deviations above normal for 850 mb winds this time which
is rather impressive Friday night into Saturday as cold air
advection pushes into the area. What this means is rather strong
winds even down to the valley with potential for downed trees and
power poles due to the wind and heavy snow.

Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...A third system will move
into the West Coast on Saturday night into Sunday which will bring
strong south winds of 50 to 70 mph to the St Lawrence and Norton
Sound area. The combination of strong winds with potential for sea
ice breakup and storm surge at high tide could cause bring more
concerns for continued coastal flooding. Although mentioned this
potential in the coastal flooding statements, there is some
uncertainty in how much coastal flooding with the current forecast
system impacting on Friday into Saturday. However, the storm surge
does show lower values compared to the first event.

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Blizzard Watch for AKZ204.

Blizzard Warning for AKZ201-AKZ207-AKZ209-AKZ213.

Winter Storm Watch for AKZ203.

Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ202-AKZ223-AKZ225-AKZ226.

Coastal Flood Warning for AKZ211-AKZ212-AKZ213-AKZ214.

Winter Storm Warning for AKZ205-AKZ206-AKZ208-AKZ210-AKZ211-
AKZ212-AKZ214-AKZ215-AKZ216-AKZ217-AKZ218-AKZ219-AKZ220-AKZ221-
AKZ222-AKZ224-AKZ227.

Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ210.

Gale Warning for PKZ200-PKZ210-PKZ215-PKZ220-PKZ225-PKZ230-
PKZ235.

Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ240-PKZ245.
&&

MAK DEC 16

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
1041 PM AKST THU DEC 29 2016

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

0800 PM     SNOW             NORTH POLE              64.75N 147.36W
12/29/2016  M4.0 INCH                           AK   NWS EMPLOYEE

0830 PM     HEAVY SNOW       5 E COLLEGE             64.88N 147.65W
12/29/2016  M5.9 INCH                           AK   TRAINED SPOTTER

0845 PM     HEAVY SNOW       SW FOX                  64.96N 147.63W
12/29/2016  M5.8 INCH                           AK   TRAINED SPOTTER

0900 PM     HEAVY SNOW       2 N COLLEGE             64.90N 147.82W
12/29/2016  M8.0 INCH                           AK   TRAINED SPOTTER

1000 PM     HEAVY SNOW       2 NW COLLEGE            64.89N 147.88W
12/29/2016  M8.0 INCH                           AK   TRAINED SPOTTER

1000 PM     HEAVY SNOW       TWO RIVERS              64.87N 147.09W
12/29/2016  M5.5 INCH                           AK   PUBLIC

1000 PM     HEAVY SNOW       2 W TWO RIVERS          64.87N 147.17W
12/29/2016  M5.5 INCH                           AK   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

SBERG

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
1055 PM AKST THU DEC 29 2016

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

1000 AM     HEAVY SNOW       5 ENE COLLEGE           64.89N 147.68W
12/29/2016  M7.6 INCH                           AK   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

SBERG

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
1057 PM AKST THU DEC 29 2016

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

1000 AM     HEAVY SNOW       5 N FAIRBANKS           64.92N 147.65W
12/29/2016  M8.0 INCH                           AK   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

SBERG

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
1117 PM AKST THU DEC 29 2016

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

1100 PM     HEAVY SNOW       4 ESE COLLEGE           64.85N 147.69W
12/29/2016  M8.0 INCH                           AK   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

SBERG

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
123 AM AKST FRI DEC 30 2016

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

0123 AM     HEAVY SNOW       1 E COLLEGE             64.87N 147.79W
12/30/2016  M10.0 INCH                          AK   NWS EMPLOYEE

&&

SBERG

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
200 AM AKST FRI DEC 30 2016

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

0418 PM     HIGH SUST WINDS  HEALY                   63.81N 149.00W
12/29/2016  M43 MPH                             AK   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            GUST TO 77 MPH

&&

SBERG