Gale Warning 58, NWS Fairbanks, AK

Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
309 PM AKDT Thu Jun 8 2017

.DISCUSSION...
A ridge of high pressure aloft extending from NW Canada and across
northern Alaska will strengthen over the Alcan border on Friday.
This ridge will weaken through the weekend as low pressure aloft
moves into the Gulf of Alaska and a second low drops out of the
Canadian high Arctic. A large high aloft will strengthen over NW
Alaska early next week.

Conditions will remain hot and dry over the eastern Interior
through Friday while southerly flow aloft develops in western
Alaska and brings increasing shower activity beginning tomorrow.
As the ridge aloft breaks down this weekend temperatures will fall
to near or slightly below normal across much of northern Alaska.
Shower activity will also increase in most areas south of the
Brooks Range this weekend. Dry conditions and near normal
temperatures will return next week to northern Alaska as high
pressure aloft over NW Alaska expands south and east.

Strong surface high pressure persisting over the Arctic Ocean
will keep widespread 20-30kt winds along the Arctic coast into the
weekend but even stronger over the NW Arctic. Flurries and fog
will also persist into the weekend with fog moving inland
overnight. The pressure gradient between the thermal low over the
Interior and the Arctic high will allow gusty north to northeast
winds to continue Friday over the northern Interior and through
Brooks Range passes.

Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...None.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Hot and dry in the eastern Interior through Friday. NE winds
10-15g25kt over the northern and eastern Interior today and
Friday which will cause near Red Flag conditions. Will see
southerly gap flow winds through Alaska Range passes today and Fri
as a trough moves north of the Alaska Range so expect Red Flag
conditions near Delta Junction area again today and Friday. The
best instability and isolated thunderstorms expected in the SW
Interior and Lower Yukon area today and Friday but a few strikes
could pop up over the Fortymile Country this afternoon and eve.
Temperatures will dramatically cool on Saturday with much higher
relative humidity.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Very warm temperatures and freezing levels from 10 to 12 thousand
feet in the Alaska Range and Wrangll Mountains will result in
significant high elevation snowmelt and glacial runoff. Larger rivers
draining this area will see significant rises this weekend and
early next week. Water levels may reach bankfull in some locations
and gravel bars will be covered.

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Red Flag Warning for AKZ222-AKZ223.

Small Craft Advisory for PKZ210.

Gale Warning for PKZ225-PKZ230.

Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ235-PKZ240-PKZ245.
&&

JUN 17