Brisk Wind Advisory 104, NWS Fairbanks, AK

Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
304 PM AKST Thu Mar 2 2017

.DISCUSSION...
Models are in good agreement in the short term. The main forecast
challenge over the next few days will be the ongoing blizzard
conditions on the Beaufort Sea Coast. Current synoptic pattern
aloft has a long wave trough situated over the state with a ridge
stretching from the Aleutian Islands to the Chukotsk Peninsula.
The ridge will be pushed westward some as a shortwave moves down
the east side of the ridge ton Saturday. The ridge will begin
gradually pushing eastward Monday with The ridge situated firmly
over the state by the end of next week.

North Slope and Brooks Range: Blizzard conditions are currently
ongoing along the eastern Beaufort Sea Coast. The models are in
good agreement that the pressure gradient along the eastern will
tighten up overnight across the Arctic Coast due to high pressure
building just north of the Brooks Range combined with low pushing
southward form the high Arctic. In response, winds will increase
along the Beaufort Sea Coast tonight with strong winds
continuing tomorrow. Barter Island will see a significant
blizzard, with wind gusts around 70 mph combined with falling
snow. Today we upgraded Winter Weather Advisory for the Central
Beaufort Sea Coast to a Blizzard Warning. This change was due to
fact that observations this afternoon were close to blizzard
criteria combined with the fact that stronger winds tonight
should result in the visibility dropping down tonight. Storm total
snow will along the Beaufort Sea Coast through Saturday morning
will be between 1 to 2 inches. A tight pressure gradient across
the Brooks Range will result in strong northerly winds through
the passes. The pressure gradient will relax and the winds will
die down gradually from west to east on Saturday.

Central and Eastern Interior: Clear skies and below normal
temperatures will persist through tomorrow. A shortwave moving
through the Interior will bring increased clouds as well as a
quick shot for some snow Saturday into Sunday. Snowfall will
generally be in the 1 to 2 inch range. For Monday into early next
week, skies are expected to clear out again with more below normal
temperatures expected. It does look like there some gradual
warming late next week.

West Coast and Western Interior: Below normal temperatures are
expected for tonight. A shortwave will bring a quick shot of snow
Friday night into Saturday. Snowfall amounts will be less than two
inches. Clearing skies and below normal temperatures will return
early next week, although it currently appears there will be a
bit of the warming trend late next week.

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Wind Chill Advisory for AKZ225-AKZ226.

Blizzard Warning for AKZ203-AKZ204.

Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ201-AKZ206-AKZ218.

Gale Warning for PKZ240.

Storm Warning for PKZ245.

Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ230-PKZ235.
&&

MAR 17