Alert archive / Alaska / Blizzard Warnings in 2017

Blizzard Warning 18, NWS Fairbanks, AK

December 7, 2017

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.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 6, 10:38 PM AKSTDense Fog AdvisoryAFG6 hr
Dec 7, 4:50 AM AKSTWinter Weather AdvisoryAFG32 hr
Dec 7, 5:01 AM AKSTHeavy Freezing Spray WarningAFG47 hr
Dec 7, 5:02 AM AKSTBrisk Wind AdvisoryAFG48 hr
Dec 7, 5:02 AM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFG10 hr
Dec 7, 5:06 AM AKSTBrisk Wind AdvisoryAFG23 hr
Dec 7, 5:06 AM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFG48 hr
Dec 7, 2:47 PM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFG13 hr
Dec 7, 2:51 PM AKSTGale WarningAFG46 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.