Alert archive / Alaska / Blizzard Warnings in 2017
Blizzard Warning 18, NWS Fairbanks, AK
NWS Fairbanks, AK issued this blizzard warning at Dec 7, 2017, 12:46 PM AKST. It took effect at Dec 8, 2017, 12:00 AM AKST. It was in force for 22 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 7, 2017, 12:46 PM AKST (21:46 UTC)
- In effect from
- Dec 8, 2017, 12:00 AM AKST
- Expired
- Dec 8, 2017, 9:51 PM AKST
- In force
- 22 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Fairbanks, AK
The text
As transmitted.
511 WWAK41 PAFG 072146 WSWNSB URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 1246 PM AKST Thu Dec 7 2017 AKZ203-081515- /O.NEW.PAFG.BZ.W.0018.171208T1200Z-171209T0300Z/ Central Beaufort Sea Coast- Including Nuiqsut, Prudhoe Bay, Alpine, Deadhorse, and Kuparuk 1246 PM AKST Thu Dec 7 2017 ...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 6 PM AKST FRIDAY... * WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Travel will be very dangerous to impossible. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are expected. * WHERE...Central Beaufort Sea Coast. * WHEN...3 AM to 6 PM Friday. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 50 mph will cause whiteout conditions in blowing snow. Significant drifting of the snow is likely. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. $$ AKZ204-081515- /O.NEW.PAFG.BZ.W.0018.171208T0900Z-171209T0300Z/ Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast- Including Kaktovik and Flaxman Island 1246 PM AKST Thu Dec 7 2017 ...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 PM AKST FRIDAY... * WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Travel will be very dangerous to impossible. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are expected. * WHERE...Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast. * WHEN...Midnight to 6 PM Friday. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 45 mph will cause whiteout conditions in blowing snow. Significant drifting of the snow is likely. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. $$
4 follow-up statements
133 WWAK41 PAFG 081321 WSWNSB URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 421 AM AKST Fri Dec 8 2017 AKZ203-090000- /O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0018.000000T0000Z-171209T0300Z/ Central Beaufort Sea Coast- Including Nuiqsut, Prudhoe Bay, Alpine, Deadhorse, and Kuparuk 421 AM AKST Fri Dec 8 2017 ...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Travel will be very dangerous to impossible. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are expected. * WHERE...Central Beaufort Sea Coast. * WHEN...3 AM to 6 PM Friday. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 50 mph will cause whiteout conditions in blowing snow. Significant drifting of the snow is likely. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. $$ AKZ204-090000- /O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0018.000000T0000Z-171209T0300Z/ Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast- Including Kaktovik and Flaxman Island 421 AM AKST Fri Dec 8 2017 ...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Travel will be very dangerous to impossible. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are expected. * WHERE...Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast. * WHEN...Midnight to 6 PM Friday. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 50 mph will cause whiteout conditions in blowing snow. Significant drifting of the snow is likely. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. $$ AKZ201-090000- /O.NEW.PAFG.WW.Y.0108.171208T1321Z-171209T0300Z/ Western Arctic Coast- Including Wainwright, Atqasuk, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne 421 AM AKST Fri Dec 8 2017 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow occurring. Plan on slippery road conditions. In addition, areas of poor visibility are expected. Additional snow accumulations of up to two inches are expected. * WHERE...Western Arctic Coast. * WHEN...Until 6 PM today. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 35 mph will cause areas of blowing and drifting snow. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Weather Advisory for snow and blowing snow means periods of snow and blowing snow will cause travel difficulties. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. $$ AKZ202-090000- /O.NEW.PAFG.WW.Y.0108.171208T1321Z-171209T0300Z/ Northern Arctic Coast- Including Barrow, Alaktak, Pitt Point, and Nulavik 421 AM AKST Fri Dec 8 2017 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow occurring. Plan on difficult travel conditions. Tree branches could fall as well. Additional snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are expected. * WHERE...Northern Arctic Coast. * WHEN...Until 6 PM today. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 35 mph will cause areas of blowing and drifting snow. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Weather Advisory for snow and blowing snow means periods of snow and blowing snow will cause travel difficulties. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. $$
922 WWAK41 PAFG 082253 WSWNSB URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 153 PM AKST Fri Dec 8 2017 AKZ202-090000- /O.CAN.PAFG.WW.Y.0108.000000T0000Z-171209T0300Z/ Northern Arctic Coast- Including Barrow, Alaktak, Pitt Point, and Nulavik 153 PM AKST Fri Dec 8 2017 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED... $$ AKZ203-090300- /O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0018.000000T0000Z-171209T0300Z/ Central Beaufort Sea Coast- Including Nuiqsut, Prudhoe Bay, Alpine, Deadhorse, and Kuparuk 153 PM AKST Fri Dec 8 2017 ...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Travel will be very dangerous to impossible. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are expected. * WHERE...Central Beaufort Sea Coast. * WHEN...Until 6 PM Friday. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 50 mph will cause whiteout conditions in blowing snow. Significant drifting of the snow is likely. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. $$ AKZ204-090300- /O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0018.000000T0000Z-171209T0300Z/ Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast- Including Kaktovik and Flaxman Island 153 PM AKST Fri Dec 8 2017 ...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Travel will be very dangerous to impossible. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are expected. * WHERE...Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast. * WHEN...Until 6 PM Friday. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 50 mph will cause whiteout conditions in blowing snow. Significant drifting of the snow is likely. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. $$ AKZ201-090300- /O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0108.000000T0000Z-171209T0300Z/ Western Arctic Coast- Including Wainwright, Atqasuk, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne 153 PM AKST Fri Dec 8 2017 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow occurring. Plan on slippery road conditions. In addition, areas of poor visibility are expected. Additional snow accumulations of up to two inches are expected. * WHERE...Western Arctic Coast. * WHEN...Until 6 PM today. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 35 mph will cause areas of blowing and drifting snow. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Weather Advisory for snow and blowing snow means periods of snow and blowing snow will cause travel difficulties. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. $$
526 WWAK41 PAFG 090253 WSWNSB URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 553 PM AKST Fri Dec 8 2017 AKZ203-090900- /O.EXT.PAFG.BZ.W.0018.000000T0000Z-171209T0900Z/ Central Beaufort Sea Coast- Including Nuiqsut, Prudhoe Bay, Alpine, Deadhorse, and Kuparuk 553 PM AKST Fri Dec 8 2017 ...BLIZZARD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST TONIGHT... * WHAT...Blizzard conditions occurring. Travel will be very dangerous to impossible. * WHERE...Central Beaufort Sea Coast. * WHEN...Until midnight. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 40 mph will cause whiteout conditions in blowing snow. Significant drifting of the snow is likely. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. $$ AKZ204-090900- /O.EXT.PAFG.BZ.W.0018.000000T0000Z-171209T0900Z/ Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast- Including Kaktovik and Flaxman Island 553 PM AKST Fri Dec 8 2017 ...BLIZZARD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST TONIGHT... * WHAT...Blizzard conditions occurring. Travel will be very dangerous to impossible. * WHERE...Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast. * WHEN...Until midnight. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 35 mph will cause whiteout conditions in blowing snow. Significant drifting of the snow is likely. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. $$ AKZ201-090900- /O.EXT.PAFG.WW.Y.0108.000000T0000Z-171209T0900Z/ Western Arctic Coast- Including Wainwright, Atqasuk, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne 553 PM AKST Fri Dec 8 2017 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST TONIGHT... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow occurring. Plan on slippery road conditions. In addition, areas of poor visibility are expected. Additional snow accumulations of up to one inch are expected. * WHERE...Western Arctic Coast. * WHEN...Until midnight. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 40 mph will cause areas of blowing and drifting snow. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Weather Advisory for snow and blowing snow means periods of snow and blowing snow will cause travel difficulties. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. $$
298 WWAK41 PAFG 090651 WSWNSB URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 951 PM AKST Fri Dec 8 2017 AKZ203-204-090800- /O.CAN.PAFG.BZ.W.0018.000000T0000Z-171209T0900Z/ Central Beaufort Sea Coast-Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast- Including Nuiqsut, Prudhoe Bay, Alpine, Deadhorse, Kuparuk, Kaktovik, and Flaxman Island 951 PM AKST Fri Dec 8 2017 ...BLIZZARD WARNING IS CANCELLED... $$ AKZ201-090800- /O.CAN.PAFG.WW.Y.0108.000000T0000Z-171209T0900Z/ Western Arctic Coast- Including Wainwright, Atqasuk, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne 951 PM AKST Fri Dec 8 2017 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED... $$
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 Dec 7, 5:51 AM AKST, 6 hours 55 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Dec 7, 5:51 AM AKST, 6 hours 55 minutes before
Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 551 AM AKST Thu Dec 7 2017 .DISCUSSION... An active weather pattern continues for the Interior. A series of systems over the next few days will bring snowfall to the eastern Alaska Range and also the northern Interior. Southerly flow over the next several days will continue to keep the Interior warm with above normal temperatures through early next week. The models are all in decent agreement with the overall weather pattern in the short term. Shortwaves will ride north in this pattern and bring snow to the northern Interior this afternoon into Friday. Two more shortwaves will bring a chance of snow again on Sunday and Monday to the same areas. Surface...High pressure will maintain control over much of the Arctic for the next few days. Easterly winds will result along the Arctic coast, increasing in strength Friday. A 990 mb low over the western central Being Sea will weaken as it remains nearly stationary. A 980 mb North Pacific low will impact the Alaska Peninsula west of Kodiak Island late Thursday and dissipate over Bristol Bay Friday. Central and Eastern Interior: Will continue the winter storm warning for zone 226 with heavy snow continuing into Friday. Also issued a winter weather advisory for zone 225 with the potential of 6 to 10 inches of snow in the Alaska range with lesser amounts further north. The system will also spread snowfall northward across the Interior as it moves across this evening. Most of the snowfall will miss Fairbanks. The snowfall will intensify as the front moves north of Fairbanks. Winter weather advisories have been issued for zone 218, 219 and 220. Snowfall amounts ranging from 4 to 6 inches. Snow will begin this evening and continue into Friday morning. There is a slight chance of light freezing rain this evening across the Middle Tanana Valley due to pockets of above freezing temperatures aloft and temperatures below freezing at the surface. However, there is a low probability of precip and qpf across the middle tanana valley through Friday AM. North Slope and Brooks Range: Some light snow over the Brooks Range tonight. A weather front will pass over the Brooks Range early Friday and will spread snowfall over the Beaufort Sea Coast Friday. At the same time the pressure gradient along the Beaufort Sea tightens up. Snow and blowing snow will likely reduce visibilities below one mile at times on Friday. Winter weather advisories will likely be issued for zones 203 and 204. West Coast and Western Interior: Quiet weather expected tonight. A weather front will bring some snowfall to the western Interior late Thursday into Thursday night. Snowfall totals will generally be in the 1 to 3 inch range. Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...None. && .AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Storm Warning for AKZ226. Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ218-AKZ219-AKZ220-AKZ225. Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ210-PKZ225. Small Craft Advisory for PKZ210-PKZ225. Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ200-PKZ230-PKZ235-PKZ240-PKZ245. && JK DEC 17
The office that day
Everything else NWS Fairbanks, AK issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 6, 10:38 PM AKST | Dense Fog Advisory | AFG | 6 hr | |
| Dec 7, 4:50 AM AKST | Winter Weather Advisory | AFG | 32 hr | |
| Dec 7, 5:01 AM AKST | Heavy Freezing Spray Warning | AFG | 47 hr | |
| Dec 7, 5:02 AM AKST | Brisk Wind Advisory | AFG | 48 hr | |
| Dec 7, 5:02 AM AKST | Small Craft Advisory | AFG | 10 hr | |
| Dec 7, 5:06 AM AKST | Brisk Wind Advisory | AFG | 23 hr | |
| Dec 7, 5:06 AM AKST | Small Craft Advisory | AFG | 48 hr | |
| Dec 7, 2:47 PM AKST | Small Craft Advisory | AFG | 13 hr | |
| Dec 7, 2:51 PM AKST | Gale Warning | AFG | 46 hr |
Nearby
Blizzard Warnings in Alaska, 2017Every blizzard warning in 2017
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text.