Alert archive / Alaska / Winter Storm Warnings in 2016

Winter Storm Warning 10, NWS Fairbanks, AK

September 22, 2016

NWS Fairbanks, AK issued this winter storm warning at Sep 22, 2016, 1:53 PM AKDT. It took effect at Sep 22, 2016, 6:00 PM AKDT. It was in force for 35 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
Sep 22, 2016, 1:53 PM AKDT (21:53 UTC)
In effect from
Sep 22, 2016, 6:00 PM AKDT
Expired
Sep 24, 2016, 5:27 AM AKDT
In force
35 hr
Issued by
NWS Fairbanks, AK

The text

As transmitted.

377 
WWAK41 PAFG 222153
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
153 PM AKDT THU SEP 22 2016

AKZ205-231400-
/O.UPG.PAFG.WS.A.0008.160923T0200Z-160924T0200Z/
/O.NEW.PAFG.WS.W.0010.160923T0200Z-160924T0200Z/
NORTHWESTERN BROOKS RANGE-
INCLUDING...SINGILUK...UMIAT
153 PM AKDT THU SEP 22 2016

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM
AKDT FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FAIRBANKS HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS
EVENING TO 6 PM AKDT FRIDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER
IN EFFECT.

* LOCATION...EAST OF HOWARD PASS AT ELEVATIONS ABOVE 2000 FEET.

* SNOW...4 TO 8 INCHES.

* TIMING...SNOW WILL INCREASE EARLY THIS EVENING AND CONTINUE
  TROUGH LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

* IMPACTS...TRAVEL AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WILL BE DIFFICULT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS ONE OR MORE SIGNIFICANT WINTER
WEATHER HAZARDS ARE OCCURRING OR EXPECTED.

&&

$$

AKZ206-231400-
/O.UPG.PAFG.WS.A.0008.160923T0200Z-160924T0200Z/
/O.NEW.PAFG.WS.W.0010.160923T0200Z-160924T0200Z/
NORTHEASTERN BROOKS RANGE-
INCLUDING...ANAKTUVUK PASS...ATIGUN PASS...GALBRAITH LAKE...
SAGWON...FRANKLIN BLUFFS
153 PM AKDT THU SEP 22 2016

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM
AKDT FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FAIRBANKS HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS
EVENING TO 6 PM AKDT FRIDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER
IN EFFECT.

* LOCATION...FROM THE DALTON HIGHWAY WEST AT ELEVATIONS ABOVE 
  2000 FEET. 

* SNOW...4 TO 8 INCHES.

* TIMING...SNOW WILL INCREASE EARLY THIS EVENING AND CONTINUE
  TROUGH LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

* IMPACTS...TRAVEL AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WILL BE DIFFICULT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS ONE OR MORE SIGNIFICANT WINTER
WEATHER HAZARDS ARE OCCURRING OR EXPECTED.

&&

$$
4 follow-up statements
364 
WWAK41 PAFG 231206
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
406 AM AKDT FRI SEP 23 2016

AKZ205-240000-
/O.CON.PAFG.WS.W.0010.000000T0000Z-160924T0200Z/
NORTHWESTERN BROOKS RANGE-
INCLUDING...SINGILUK...UMIAT
406 AM AKDT FRI SEP 23 2016

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKDT THIS
EVENING...

* LOCATION...EAST OF HOWARD PASS AT ELEVATIONS ABOVE 2000 FEET.

* SNOW...2 TO 4 INCHES ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATION. STORM TOTAL
  SNOWFALL 4 TO 8 INCHES.

* TIMING...SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON THEN
  GRADUALLY TAPER OFF TONIGHT.

* IMPACTS...TRAVEL AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WILL BE DIFFICULT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS ONE OR MORE SIGNIFICANT WINTER
WEATHER HAZARDS ARE OCCURRING OR EXPECTED.

&&

$$

AKZ206-240000-
/O.CON.PAFG.WS.W.0010.000000T0000Z-160924T0200Z/
NORTHEASTERN BROOKS RANGE-
INCLUDING...ANAKTUVUK PASS...ATIGUN PASS...GALBRAITH LAKE...
SAGWON...FRANKLIN BLUFFS
406 AM AKDT FRI SEP 23 2016

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKDT THIS
EVENING...

* LOCATION...FROM THE DALTON HIGHWAY WEST AT ELEVATIONS ABOVE 
  2000 FEET. 

* SNOW...2 TO 4 INCHES ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATION. STORM TOTAL
  SNOWFALL 4 TO 8 INCHES.

* TIMING...SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON THEN
  GRADUALLY TAPER OFF TONIGHT. 

* IMPACTS...TRAVEL AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WILL BE DIFFICULT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS ONE OR MORE SIGNIFICANT WINTER
WEATHER HAZARDS ARE OCCURRING OR EXPECTED.

&&

$$
577 
WWAK41 PAFG 232204
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
204 PM AKDT FRI SEP 23 2016

AKZ205-240200-
/O.CON.PAFG.WS.W.0010.000000T0000Z-160924T0200Z/
NORTHWESTERN BROOKS RANGE-
INCLUDING...SINGILUK...UMIAT
204 PM AKDT FRI SEP 23 2016

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKDT THIS
EVENING...

* LOCATION...EAST OF HOWARD PASS AT ELEVATIONS ABOVE 2000 FEET.

* SNOW...1 INCH ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATION. STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL 4
  TO 8 INCHES.

* TIMING...SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH EARLY THIS EVENING THEN
  GRADUALLY TAPER OFF TONIGHT.

* IMPACTS...TRAVEL AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WILL BE DIFFICULT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS ONE OR MORE SIGNIFICANT WINTER
WEATHER HAZARDS ARE OCCURRING OR EXPECTED.

&&

$$

AKZ206-240200-
/O.CON.PAFG.WS.W.0010.000000T0000Z-160924T0200Z/
NORTHEASTERN BROOKS RANGE-
INCLUDING...ANAKTUVUK PASS...ATIGUN PASS...GALBRAITH LAKE...
SAGWON...FRANKLIN BLUFFS
204 PM AKDT FRI SEP 23 2016

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKDT THIS
EVENING...

* LOCATION...FROM THE DALTON HIGHWAY WEST AT ELEVATIONS ABOVE 
  2000 FEET. 

* SNOW...1 INCH ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATION. STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL 4
  TO 8 INCHES.

* TIMING...SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH EARLY THIS EVENING THEN
  GRADUALLY TAPER OFF TONIGHT.

* IMPACTS...TRAVEL AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WILL BE DIFFICULT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS ONE OR MORE SIGNIFICANT WINTER
WEATHER HAZARDS ARE OCCURRING OR EXPECTED.

&&

$$
118 
WWAK41 PAFG 240138
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
538 PM AKDT FRI SEP 23 2016

AKZ205-240245-
/O.CAN.PAFG.WS.W.0010.000000T0000Z-160924T0200Z/
NORTHWESTERN BROOKS RANGE-
INCLUDING...SINGILUK...UMIAT
538 PM AKDT FRI SEP 23 2016

...WINTER STORM WARNING IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FAIRBANKS HAS CANCELLED THE
WINTER STORM WARNING. 

SATELLITE IMAGERY AND OBSERVATIONS SHOWING CLEARING STARTING
ACROSS THE WESTERN BROOKS RANGE. THUS THE WINTER STORM WARNING HAS
BEEN CANCELLED.

$$

AKZ206-241400-
/O.EXT.PAFG.WS.W.0010.000000T0000Z-160924T1400Z/
NORTHEASTERN BROOKS RANGE-
INCLUDING...ANAKTUVUK PASS...ATIGUN PASS...GALBRAITH LAKE...
SAGWON...FRANKLIN BLUFFS
538 PM AKDT FRI SEP 23 2016

...WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKDT
SATURDAY...

* LOCATION...FROM THE DALTON HIGHWAY WEST AT ELEVATIONS ABOVE 
  2000 FEET. 

* SNOW...1 INCH ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATION EXPECTED OVERNIGHT INTO
  SATURDAY MORNING.. STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL 4 TO 8 INCHES.

* TIMING...SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH EARLY THIS EVENING THEN
  SLOWLY TAPER OFF THROUGH THE NIGHT. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL BE
  LIGHT OVERNIGHT WITH A TOTAL OF 1 INCH ADDITIONAL SNOW EXPECTED
  AND VISIBILITIES WILL BE REDUCED AT TIMES DUE TO THE SNOW AND
  FOG.

* IMPACTS...TRAVEL ALONG THE DALTON HIGHWAY MAY BE DIFFICULT AT
  TIMES AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WILL BE DIFFICULT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS ONE OR MORE SIGNIFICANT WINTER
WEATHER HAZARDS ARE OCCURRING OR EXPECTED.

&&

$$
045 
WWAK41 PAFG 241327
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
527 AM AKDT SAT SEP 24 2016

AKZ206-241430-
/O.CAN.PAFG.WS.W.0010.000000T0000Z-160924T1400Z/
NORTHEASTERN BROOKS RANGE-
INCLUDING...ANAKTUVUK PASS...ATIGUN PASS...GALBRAITH LAKE...
SAGWON...FRANKLIN BLUFFS
527 AM AKDT SAT SEP 24 2016

...WINTER STORM WARNING IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FAIRBANKS HAS CANCELLED THE
WINTER STORM WARNING. 



$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this winter storm 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 winter storm warning went out at Sep 22, 1:53 PM AKDT, 0 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 22, 1:53 PM AKDT, 0 minutes before
Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
153 PM AKDT THU SEP 22 2016

.DISCUSSION...
The 12 model suite initialized well against the 12z analysis and
verified well against the 18z analyses. Model spread is minimal
in the short range and reasonable in both the mid range and long
range. The model suite continues to indicate a stormy week in the
Bering Sea next week with a series of three storms likely to
impact the west coast through next Saturday.

Aloft, at 500 hpa a long wave trough with a 507 DAM low near
Wrangel Island and a 527 DAM low near St Paul Island will continue
to drift to the east as the low near St Paul Island moves north
and east to be located over Galena this evening and over Barter
Island Friday morning. This upper level low and attending strong
shortwave will provide upper level support for a deepening surface
low moving north out of the interior tonight.

On the surface...a 975 mb low currently Just west of Fairbanks
will move north and west tonight and will be located near Ambler
Friday morning with a secondary low around 978 mb near Demarcation
Point. The low over Ambler weakens into a trough that rapidly
moves north and east with the low that was near Demarcation Point.
This low combined with a favorable upper level environment is
expected to bring significant rain in the one half to one inch
range over the western interior with lesser amounts in the central
interior through Friday and will bring significant snowfall over
the central and eastern Brooks Range and interior portions of the
North Slope beginning tonight and continuing through Friday
evening. Storm total snowfall is expected to be 4 to 8 inches in
these areas.

Extended Outlook...Busy week ahead...a series of storms will
impact the west coast beginning this Sunday and will continue
into late next week. A 994 mb low is progged to move over the Gulf
of Anadyr or Chukotsk Peninsula Sunday morning and will begin an
extended period of long fetch...south to southwest to west winds
over a broad area of the west coast that will continue at
different intensities through at least Saturday of next week. The
first storm is progged to produce 2 to 4 feet storm surge above
normal tides Sunday into Monday along west and south facing coasts
along the Bering Strait and Seward Peninsula. Another storm this
one progged to deepen to around 980 mb will take a similar track
and will likely produce higher water levels as elevated water
levels will persist along the coast from the first storm. The
third and likely the strongest storm in the series is progged to
move into the western bering sea as a 960 mb or deeper low with
several models deepening the low to below 950 mb late Friday Sep
30th and Saturday the 1st of Oct. Winds and water levels are
likely to be highest with the third storm. Considerable model
differences exist on the timing, the track and strength of each
storm, however the general consensus from the suite of models is
that there will be several storms moving across the Bering Sea and
impacting the west coast next week and that a significant storm
is possible toward the end of next week.

Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...See Extended Outlook

&&

.HYDROLOGY...Between one half inch and one inch of rain is
expected over the western interior from McGrath northward to
Bettles and northeast to near Prudhoe Bay through Friday evening.
Precip type is expected to be mostly snow above 2000 feet in the
Brooks Range with temperature at or just below freezing. This will
limit runoff in these areas. The rivers over the western interior
where mostly rain is expected will notice rises especially on the
smaller streams and smaller rises on the main stem rivers however
levels are not expected to reach action stage.

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Winter Storm Warning for AKZ205-AKZ206.

Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ218.
&&

CCC SEP 16

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 21, 5:42 PM AKDTWind AdvisoryAFG5 hr
Sep 22, 4:59 AM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFG10 hr
Sep 22, 1:53 PM AKDTWinter Weather AdvisoryAFG40 hr

Nearby

Winter Storm Warnings in Alaska, 2016Every winter storm 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.