Brisk Wind Advisory 12, NWS Fairbanks, AK

Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
421 PM AKST Thu Jan 5 2017

.DISCUSSION...
The low pressure center that whipped east across the beaufort sea
last night and today has moved off into Canada. The very strong
pressure gradient and rapid pressure rises on back side of the
low brought widespread blizzard conditions and strong winds to
the entire North Slope. Westerly wind gusts from 50 to 60 mph were
common with higher gusts to over 70 mph in the eastern Arctic.
Blizzard conditions are still occuring from the Colville Delta
eastward and will diminish from west to east through Friday
morning. Gusty west to northwest winds with reduced visibility in
snow and blowing snow have also impacted the eastern half of the
Interior but will diminish overnight as well.

Strong high pressure building over northern Alaska will dominate
the weather across the state into next week resulting in a
relatively quiet weather pattern over much of the forecast area.
The exception will be the Arctic coast where low pressure moving
east over the top of the high will clip North Slope Friday through
Saturday. Strong westerly winds along with snow and blowing snow
will re-develop along the Arctic coast, although not nearly as
severe as todays blizzard.

Clearing skies and significantly colder air aloft will allow
temperatures to rapidly fall below zero tonight and with near or
slightly below normal temperatures into Saturday, coldest over
the eastern half of the state. Warming aloft later this weekend
combined with clear skies will cause significant inversions to
develop, especially over the Interior with 20 to 30 degree
differences between hilltops and valleys common.

Models are in relatively good agreement into next week with high
pressure aloft centered over western Alaska. Models do diverge
some by mid-week as a vigorous short wave trough digs south into
western Alaska and brings snow to most areas. But the consensus is
for much colder, below normal, temperatures to settle in over the
state late next week and persist into the foreseeable future.

Coastal hazard potential Days 3 and 4...None.

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Blizzard Warning for AKZ203-AKZ204-AKZ205-AKZ206.

Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ218-AKZ219-AKZ220-AKZ221-AKZ222-
AKZ223-AKZ224-AKZ226.

Small Craft Advisory for PKZ210-PKZ220.

Gale Warning for PKZ225-PKZ230-PKZ240.

Storm Warning for PKZ245.

Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ235.
&&

EWP JAN 17