Alert archive / Alaska / Gale Warnings in 2016

Gale Warning 75, NWS Fairbanks, AK

May 31, 2016

NWS Fairbanks, AK issued this gale warning at May 31, 2016, 2:59 PM AKDT. It was in force for 17 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
May 31, 2016, 2:59 PM AKDT (22:59 UTC)
Expired
Jun 1, 2016, 8:24 AM AKDT
In force
17 hr
Issued by
NWS Fairbanks, AK

The text

As transmitted.

597 
FZAK52 PAFG 312259
CWFWCZ

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST FOR NORTHWEST ALASKA
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
259 PM AKDT TUE MAY 31 2016

NORTHWESTERN 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.

PKZ299-011400-
259 PM AKDT TUE MAY 31 2016

.SYNOPSIS FOR NORTHWEST COAST...
A 1021 MB HIGH OVER THE GULF OF ANADYR WILL DRIFT W. A 987 MB LOW
NEAR ADAK WILL DRIFT SE. A 1020 MB HIGH WILL DEVELOP OVER THE
CHUKOTSK PENINSULA WED AFTERNOON AND DISSIPATE THU AFTERNOON. A
1012 MB LOW WILL DEVELOP OVER THE GULF OF ANADYR THU EVENING THEN
DRIFT SOUTH AS IT WEAKENS. 

$$

PKZ200-011400-
NORTON SOUND-
259 PM AKDT TUE MAY 31 2016

.TONIGHT...NW WINDS 20 KT. SEAS BUILDING TO 5 FT. 
.WED...N WINDS 20 KT. SEAS 4 FT. 
.WED NIGHT...N WINDS 30 KT. SEAS 6 FT. 
.THU...N WINDS 30 KT. SEAS 6 FT. 
.THU NIGHT...N WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 5 FT. 
.FRI...N WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 5 FT. 
.FRI NIGHT...N WINDS 20 KT. SEAS 3 FT. 
.SAT...N WINDS 20 KT. SEAS 3 FT. 
.SUN...E WINDS 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT.  

$$

PKZ210-011400-
DALL POINT TO WALES-
259 PM AKDT TUE MAY 31 2016

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...

.TONIGHT...N WINDS 20 KT...INCREASING TO 30 KT BY MIDNIGHT. SEAS
6 FT. FOG.
.WED...N WINDS 35 KT...EXCEPT 25 KT EAST OF SLEDGE ISLAND.
SEAS 8 FT...EXCEPT 6 FT EAST OF SLEDGE ISLAND. FOG.
.WED NIGHT...N WINDS 35 KT. SEAS 8 FT. FOG.
.THU...N WINDS 30 KT. SEAS 8 FT. FOG AND FREEZING FOG. 
.THU NIGHT...N WINDS 30 KT. SEAS 6 FT. 
.FRI...N WINDS 30 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.FRI NIGHT...N WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 6 FT. 
.SAT...N WINDS 20 KT. SEAS 5 FT. 
.SUN...NE WINDS 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT.  

$$

PKZ215-011400-
KOTZEBUE SOUND-
259 PM AKDT TUE MAY 31 2016

.TONIGHT...W WINDS 20 KT. SEAS 4 FT. 
.WED...N WINDS 20 KT. SEAS 4 FT. 
.WED NIGHT...NW WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 5 FT. 
.THU...NW WINDS 20 KT. SEAS 4 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.THU NIGHT...NW WINDS 20 KT. SEAS 4 FT. 
.FRI...N WINDS 20 KT. SEAS 4 FT. 
.FRI NIGHT...NW WINDS 10 KT. SEAS 1 FT. 
.SAT...NW WINDS 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.SUN...SW WINDS 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT.  

$$

PKZ220-011400-
WALES TO CAPE THOMPSON-
259 PM AKDT TUE MAY 31 2016

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...

.TONIGHT...N WINDS 20 KT INCREASING TO 30 KT LATER BY MIDNIGHT.
SEAS 6 FT. FOG.
.WED...N WINDS 30 KT. SEAS 6 FT. FOG AND FREEZING FOG. 
.WED NIGHT...N WINDS 30 KT. SEAS 6 FT. FREEZING SPRAY AND
FREEZING FOG. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.THU...N WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 5 FT. FREEZING SPRAY AND FREEZING FOG.
FREEZING SPRAY. 
.THU NIGHT...N WINDS 30 KT. SEAS 6 FT. 
.FRI...N WINDS 30 KT. SEAS 6 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.FRI NIGHT...N WINDS 20 KT. SEAS 4 FT. 
.SAT...NW WINDS 20 KT. SEAS 3 FT. 
.SUN...E WINDS 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT.  

$$

SDB/DJH MAY 16
2 follow-up statements
685 
FZAK52 PAFG 011218
CWFWCZ

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST FOR NORTHWEST ALASKA
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
418 AM AKDT WED JUN 1 2016

NORTHWESTERN 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.

PKZ299-020245-
418 AM AKDT WED JUN 1 2016

.SYNOPSIS FOR NORTHWEST COAST...
A 993 MB LOW NEAR NIKOLSKI WILL DRIFT SE. A 1020 MB HIGH WILL
DEVELOP OVER THE CHUKOTSK PENINSULA WED AFTERNOON AND DISSIPATE
THU AFTERNOON. A 1012 MB LOW WILL DEVELOP OVER THE GULF OF ANADYR
THU EVENING THEN DRIFT SOUTH AS IT WEAKENS.

$$

PKZ200-020245-
NORTON SOUND-
418 AM AKDT WED JUN 1 2016

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH EARLY
THURSDAY MORNING...

.TODAY...N WINDS 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT. 
.TONIGHT...N WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 4 FT. 
.THU...N WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 4 FT. 
.THU NIGHT...N WINDS 20 KT. SEAS 3 FT. 
.FRI...N WINDS 20 KT. SEAS 3 FT. 
.FRI NIGHT...S WINDS 20 KT. SEAS 3 FT. 
.SAT...E WINDS 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT. 
.SUN...E WINDS 15 KT. SEAS 1 FT.  

$$

PKZ210-020245-
DALL POINT TO WALES-
418 AM AKDT WED JUN 1 2016

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

.TODAY...N WINDS 30 KT. SEAS BUILDING TO 8 FT. FOG.
.TONIGHT...N WINDS 30 KT. SEAS 9 FT. FOG.
.THU...N WINDS 30 KT. SEAS 8 FT. FOG.
.THU NIGHT...N WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 6 FT. 
.FRI...N WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.FRI NIGHT...N WINDS 30 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.SAT...NE WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.SUN...E WINDS 15 KT. SEAS 4 FT.  

$$

PKZ215-020245-
KOTZEBUE SOUND-
418 AM AKDT WED JUN 1 2016

.TODAY...N WINDS 20 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.TONIGHT...N WINDS 20 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.THU...NW WINDS 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.THU NIGHT...NW WINDS 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.FRI...N WINDS 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.FRI NIGHT...S WINDS 20 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.SAT...S WINDS 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.SUN...SW WINDS 10 KT. SEAS 1 FT.  

$$

PKZ220-020245-
WALES TO CAPE THOMPSON-
418 AM AKDT WED JUN 1 2016

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY
MORNING...

.TODAY...N WINDS 30 KT. SEAS 6 FT. FOG.
.TONIGHT...N WINDS 30 KT. SEAS 6 FT. FOG. FREEZING SPRAY.
.THU...N WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 4 FT. FREEZING SPRAY AND FOG.
.THU NIGHT...N WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 4 FT. 
.FRI...N WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 4 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.FRI NIGHT...S WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 6 FT. 
.SAT...S WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 6 FT. 
.SUN...S WINDS 10 KT. SEAS 4 FT.  

$$

LTH/DA JUN 16
570 
FZAK52 PAFG 011624
CWFWCZ

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST FOR NORTHWEST ALASKA
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
824 AM AKDT WED JUN 1 2016

NORTHWESTERN 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.

PKZ299-020315-
824 AM AKDT WED JUN 1 2016

.SYNOPSIS FOR NORTHWEST COAST...
A 993 MB LOW NEAR NIKOLSKI WILL DRIFT SE. A 1020 MB HIGH WILL
DEVELOP OVER THE CHUKOTSK PENINSULA WED AFTERNOON AND DISSIPATE
THU AFTERNOON. A 1012 MB LOW WILL DEVELOP OVER THE GULF OF ANADYR
THU EVENING THEN DRIFT SOUTH AS IT WEAKENS.

$$

PKZ200-020315-
NORTON SOUND-
824 AM AKDT WED JUN 1 2016

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH EARLY
THURSDAY MORNING...

.TODAY...N WINDS 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT.  
.TONIGHT...N WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 4 FT.  
.THU...N WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 4 FT.  
.THU NIGHT...N WINDS 20 KT. SEAS 3 FT.  
.FRI...N WINDS 20 KT. SEAS 3 FT.  
.FRI NIGHT...S WINDS 20 KT. SEAS 3 FT.  
.SAT...E WINDS 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT.  
.SUN...E WINDS 15 KT. SEAS 1 FT.  

$$

PKZ210-020315-
DALL POINT TO WALES-
824 AM AKDT WED JUN 1 2016

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY
MORNING...

.TODAY...N WINDS 30 KT. SEAS BUILDING TO 8 FT. FOG. 
.TONIGHT...N WINDS 30 KT. SEAS 9 FT. FOG. 
.THU...N WINDS 30 KT. SEAS 8 FT. FOG. 
.THU NIGHT...N WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 6 FT.  
.FRI...N WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT.  
.FRI NIGHT...N WINDS 30 KT. SEAS 8 FT.  
.SAT...NE WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 7 FT.  
.SUN...E WINDS 15 KT. SEAS 4 FT.  

$$

PKZ215-020315-
KOTZEBUE SOUND-
824 AM AKDT WED JUN 1 2016

.TODAY...N WINDS 20 KT. SEAS 2 FT.  
.TONIGHT...N WINDS 20 KT. SEAS 2 FT.  
.THU...NW WINDS 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.  
.THU NIGHT...NW WINDS 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT.  
.FRI...N WINDS 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT.  
.FRI NIGHT...S WINDS 20 KT. SEAS 2 FT.  
.SAT...S WINDS 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT.  
.SUN...SW WINDS 10 KT. SEAS 1 FT.  

$$

PKZ220-020315-
WALES TO CAPE THOMPSON-
824 AM AKDT WED JUN 1 2016

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY
MORNING...

.TODAY...N WINDS 30 KT. SEAS 6 FT. FOG. 
.TONIGHT...N WINDS 30 KT. SEAS 6 FT. FOG. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.THU...N WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 4 FT. FREEZING SPRAY AND FOG. 
.THU NIGHT...N WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 4 FT.  
.FRI...N WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 4 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.  
.FRI NIGHT...S WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 6 FT.  
.SAT...S WINDS 25 KT. SEAS 6 FT.  
.SUN...S WINDS 10 KT. SEAS 4 FT.  

$$

LTH/DA/CCC JUN 16

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this gale 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 gale warning went out at May 31, 2:09 PM AKDT, 50 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 31, 2:09 PM AKDT, 50 minutes before
Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
209 PM AKDT TUE MAY 31 2016

.DISCUSSION...

MODELS...Short term solutions are very similar and run to run
continuity has been good through the weekend. The precipitation
guidance is a bit broad brush on the GFS and ECMWF as usual so
will lean toward the NAM and SREF solutions. For temperatures will
just nudge them a bit to the latest guidance.

ALOFT...At 500 HPA...573 dam high over the chukchi sea continues
to move to the northwest tonight with ridging across the state
weakening. As the ridge slides out, a trough associated with a
527 dam low 600 nm north of Demarcation Point will in drop
southwest across the state and by Wednesday afternoon will lie
from over Deadhorse to Nome with the low 300 nm north of Barter
Island, and by Thursday afternoon will lie from Deadhorse to
Mcgrath with the low 200 nm north of Deadhorse at 524 dam, and by
Friday afternoon it drifts a bit west to lie from over Cape
Halkett to Nunivak Island with the low over the western Brooks
range at 536 dam. At 850 HPA...Zero isotherm is pushing south over
the Arctic coast this evening and will lie over the brooks range
by Wednesday afternoon, then lie from old Crow Yukon to Ambler to
Koyuk to Savoonga then northwest by Thursday afternoon. A little
warmer in the interior Thursday as temperatures climb to around 10
Celsius, than a cooling trend through the weekend.

SURFACE...1006 mb low over the upper Yukon flats will continue to
drop south and will be over the north slopes of the Alaska range
by Wednesday afternoon with a 995 mb low over Minchumina and a 996
mb low over Chicken. The trough will persist over the area into
the weekend. A 1027 mb high over the western arctic will weaken
then rebuild over the area Thursday. A 1010 mb low 600 nm
northeast of Demarcation point will move south to 300 nm northeast
of demarcation point by Wednesday afternoon, then remains
stationary into Friday evening before being absorbed into a low in
the high arctic. Ridging over the arctic coast will weaken a bit
Wednesday then build back east over the area Thursday night with
a 1020 mb high center developing 100 nm north of Deadhorse late
Friday.

ARCTIC COAST AND BROOKS RANGE...Onshore flow will continue for a
while. Expecting periods of Stratus and flurries as some cooler
arctic air is dragged south over the area. winds generally not
that strong but will be persistent in the 10 to 20 mph range.
Expect high in the 30s and lows in the 20s along the coast with
slightly warmer temperatures inland. Had some dense fog this
morning and expect that we will be chasing the fog a bit with the
onshore flow. Some light snow developing east of Barrow on
Wednesday could spread a couple inches of snow over the area with
the heaviest amounts in the eastern Brooks range. With ridging to
the north and troughing south winds are kicking up a bit through
the Brooks range and will persist in the 15 to 25 mph range into
Thursday before diminishing a bit.

WEST COAST AND WESTERN INTERIOR...Looking a bit tricky out west as
the trough drops south. The coastal areas for the most part will
be spared from precipitation, and with the latest guidance even
the middle Yukon valley will be spared, while the Upper Kuskokwim
will see the brunt of the system with a couple inches of rain
possible in the upslope areas of the western Alaska range.
Conditions are going to be a little unstable as well during the
afternoons and evenings, so expect at least some isolated
thunderstorm activity. A little warmer Wednesday then cooling the
rest of the week. winds generally light.

CENTRAL AND EASTERN INTERIOR...Increasing clouds over most of the
area as the low over the upper Yukon flats drops south to the
Alaska range and becomes stationary. Some showers developing over
the eastern Brooks range tonight and spreading south and southwest
as the upper level shortwave drops southwest across the area. Some
heavier rains expected around Denali in the western Alaska range,
but for the most part rainfall amounts will be light. Showers will
be mainly south and east of Fairbanks by late Thursday. Some
Isolated thunderstorms activity will be possible during the
afternoons and evenings. Winds will generally be light across the
area through Friday.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...Dry and warm conditions will continue until cooler
air from the arctic moves south over northern Alaska Wednesday and
persists through the rest of the week. Scattered showers and
isolated thunderstorms will develop ahead of the cold front on
Wednesday. Low level moisture will increase over the interior and
will keep afternoon relative humidity values above 30 percent
Thursday and into the weekend. A thermal low over the southern
interior will be the focus for scattered showers and isolated
thunderstorms Thursday and Friday.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...No issues currently. The western Alaska range may see
a couple of inches of rain later in the week so will be keeping a
close watch on that area the next couple of model runs.

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...

Gale Warning for PKZ210.

Small Craft Advisory for PKZ220-PKZ225

&&

SDB MAY 16

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 31, 4:15 AM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFG4 days
May 31, 4:17 AM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFG48 hr

Nearby

Gale Warnings in Alaska, 2016Every gale warning in 2016

Sources

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