Wind Chill Advisory 22, NWS Fairbanks, AK

Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
158 PM AKST Fri Feb 17 2017

.DISCUSSION...
A generally quiet weather pattern is in store for most of
northern Alaska through the weekend. Models are in good agreement
into early next week with main features but then begin to show
slightly different solutions as an active weather pattern develops
over the forecast area by mid-week.

A cold low aloft will remain nearly stationary over the Seward
Peninsula through Sunday. This low center and an associated
longwave trough along the west coast will swing eastward on Monday
and eventually move off into Canada by mid-week. Below normal
temperatures will persist over the western half of the state
through the weekend with near normal temperatures in the east.
A gradual cooling trend will occur over the eastern half of the
state early next week as the longwave trough and colder air aloft
move east across the state.

Light snow and snow showers associated with low pressure over the
central Interior will spread north to the Arctic coast tonight.
Snowfall amounts will be 2 inches or less with the highest amounts
in the Koyukuk Valley and along the central Brooks Range. Snow
showers will linger from the central Interior to the western
Arctic coast through the weekend and gradually spread into the
eastern Interior by Monday.

The relatively tight pressure gradient across the western Brooks
range and the Bering Strait will weaken tonight. Winds and low
wind chills will diminish but temperatures will remain well below
zero. Southerly gap winds from 40 to 50 mph in the eastern Alaska
Range will also diminish overnight. A weak pressure gradient
across the forecast area this weekend will result in relatively
light winds in most areas.

As mentioned above, all models are indicating the transition to
active weather with the storm track moving into the Bering Sea and
across the Interior later next week. We will continue to monitor
the situation since this pattern could bring heavy snow and
strong winds to northern Alaska.

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Wind Advisory for AKZ226.

Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ210-PKZ220-PKZ225.
&&

FEB 17