Brisk Wind Advisory 63, NWS Fairbanks, AK

Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
402 PM AKST Thu Feb 22 2018

.DISCUSSION...

The low pressure system that has brought active weather to much of
the state continues to push east. Surface fronts associated with
this system have moved into the Eastern Interior with strong
northwesterly flow moving into the state behind them. In the upper
levels, the center of the low pressure system currently sits off
the northwest coast of the state. The low center will come ashore
tonight and move east across the state. Behind the low a tight
gradient will be in place for our forecast area through tomorrow
morning moving cold air into our forecast area. This gradient will
also contribute to high winds and blowing snow in many areas.
Models are in good agreement through about 48 hours. From 48 to 96
hours models still indicate general westerly flow.

Central and Eastern Interior...The main push of snow has passed
Fairbanks as of about noon today. We are still expecting winds to
increase overnight as cold air moves in behind this snow with
winds gusting to about 40 mph at times overnight...wind gusts are
anticipated at valley level. Impacts will be downed trees and
potential loss of power around the Fairbanks area. Snow showers
will also move through the area with the heaviest occurring until
about noon tomorrow. We are expecting another 3 to 5 inches of
snowfall from these showers with heaviest amounts in the hills
north and east of Fairbanks.

For the rest of the area, snowfall continues to fall over much of
the area all the way to the ALCAN border and will continue to do
so through tomorrow. Visibility will be reduced in areas of
snowfall and windy conditions are expected both over areas of
higher elevation and at valley level. This will produce blowing
snow on highway summits and at places susceptible to wind gusts
from the northwest like Dot lake and Tok. These are the same winds
the Fairbanks area will see that are working their way east with
the weather system.

Freezing rain is possible this afternoon in the Central Interior
west of Fairbanks due to a push of warm air from the southwest
increasing temperatures to slightly above freezing. When winds
switch to the northwest this evening the threat of freezing rain
will be eliminated as colder air will move in.

West Coast and Western Interior...The main body of the system has
pushed inland. High winds on the backside of the low center will
impact the West Coast from the northwest. Coastlines and higher
elevations exposed to northwesterly winds will be most affected.
Winter weather advisories for blowing snow and high wind headlines
will be in effect tonight until the center of upper low mentioned
earlier moves far enough east.

North Slope...Typical weather for this time of year will be
present on much of the slope with low ceilings and reduced
visibility from snow and fog. The extreme eastern north slope
near Barter Island is expected to see a ground blizzard for the
day Friday due to an increase in wind speed over the area. Some
snow showers will be present in the area as well.

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

&&

BJB FEB 18

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
939 PM AKST THU FEB 22 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0938 PM     SNOW             2 NNW COLLEGE           64.89N 147.85W
02/22/2018  M4.7 INCH        FAIRBANKS NORTH STAAK   NWS EMPLOYEE

            COLLEGE HILLS STORM TOTAL THROUGH 8PM = 4.7
            (2.4 THROUGH 6AM THU, 2.3 6AM-8PM THU).

&&

HFL