Brisk Wind Advisory 15, NWS Fairbanks, AK

Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
1222 PM AKST Fri Jan 6 2017

.DISCUSSION...
Strong high pressure, cooler air, and much quieter weather has
settled in over much of mainland Alaska this morning. Low pressure
in the high Arctic skirting around the top of the high will move
east to Banks Island in Canada by Saturday afternoon. A weather
front associated with this low is approaching the northwest Arctic
coast and will move east across the North Slope tonight. West
winds 25 to 35 mph along snow and blowing snow will sweep eastward
overnight. Visibility will be reduced to 1/2 mile in blowing snow
at times but this system will not be nearly severe as the blizzard
conditions experienced yesterday. Strong winds and areas of
blowing snow are also occuring around the perimeter of the high
from the Bering Strait north to Cape Lisburne but will diminish by
Saturday morning.

The main high pressure center and core of cold air will drift east
into the Yukon Territory tonight and Saturday. Altimeter readings
exceeding 31.00 inches over the Interior the next day or so and
could create an issue for aviation. All models are in good
agreement with a large blocking high pressure center aloft
building over western Alaska later this weekend and persisting
into early next week. Warmer temperatures aloft combined with
clear skies will create significant temperatures inversions,
especially over the Interior with 20 to 30 degree differences
between hilltops and valleys common.

Models do begin to diverge some by mid-week with the timing and
strength of a vigorous short wave trough digging south from the
Arctic. But the consensus is for some snow in most areas followed
by 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...

Winter Storm Warning for AKZ213.

Blizzard Warning for AKZ201.

Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ202-AKZ203-AKZ204-AKZ207.

Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ210.

Gale Warning for PKZ230-PKZ245.

Small Craft Advisory for PKZ210.

Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ215-PKZ220-PKZ225-PKZ235-PKZ240.
&&

EWP JAN 17