Alert archive / Alaska / Gale Warnings in 2018

Gale Warning 59, NWS Fairbanks, AK

July 3, 2018

NWS Fairbanks, AK issued this gale warning at Jul 3, 2018, 4:39 AM AKDT. It was in force for 23 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jul 3, 2018, 4:39 AM AKDT (12:39 UTC)
Expired
Jul 4, 2018, 4:04 AM AKDT
In force
23 hr
Issued by
NWS Fairbanks, AK

The text

As transmitted.

801 
FZAK51 PAFG 031239
CWFNSB

Coastal Waters Forecast for Arctic Alaska
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
439 AM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

Arctic Alaska Coastal Waters out 100 NM

Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction
expected. Sea forecasts represent the average of the highest one-
third of the combined wind-wave and swell height.

PKZ298-040215-
439 AM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

.SYNOPSIS FOR ARCTIC COAST...
A strong low pressure system will move west to east across the
Arctic today and tomorrow. Today will see increased southwest
winds. Tonight and tomorrow will see strong southwest winds and 
precipitation, with rain during the day and a rain/snow mix 
overnight. After the system passes, winds will remain strong for 
the next couple of days.

$$

PKZ225-040215-
Cape Thompson to Cape Beaufort-
439 AM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH EARLY WEDNESDAY
MORNING...

.TODAY...SW winds 30 kt. Seas 7 ft. Fog.
.TONIGHT...SW winds 30 kt. Seas 7 ft. Fog.
.WED...NW winds 20 kt. Seas 6 ft. Fog.
.WED NIGHT...N winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. Fog.
.THU...N winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...W winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.FRI...SW winds 15 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.SAT...SW winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.  

$$

PKZ230-040215-
Cape Beaufort to Point Franklin-
439 AM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM EARLY THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH EARLY
WEDNESDAY MORNING...

.TODAY...SW winds 35 kt. Seas 7 ft. Fog.
.TONIGHT...SW winds 35 kt. Seas 7 ft. Fog. Rain showers. 
.WED...W winds 25 kt. Seas 6 ft. Fog and freezing fog. 
.WED NIGHT...NW winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. Fog and freezing fog.
Freezing spray. 
.THU...W winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...W winds 20 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.FRI...W winds 20 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.SAT...W winds 20 kt. Seas 3 ft.  

$$

PKZ235-040215-
Point Franklin to Cape Halkett-
439 AM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH EARLY WEDNESDAY
MORNING...

.TODAY...SW winds 25 kt. Fog. VSBY 1 NM or less. 
.TONIGHT...SW winds 30 kt. Fog. Rain showers. 
.WED...NW winds 35 kt. Fog and freezing fog. 
.WED NIGHT...NW winds 30 kt. Fog and freezing fog. 
.THU...W winds 20 kt. 
.THU NIGHT...W winds 25 kt. 
.FRI...W winds 20 kt. 
.SAT...W winds 20 kt.  

$$

PKZ240-040215-
Cape Halkett to Flaxman Island-
439 AM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

.TODAY...SW winds 20 kt. 
.TONIGHT...SW winds 30 kt. Fog. Rain showers. 
.WED...W winds 30 kt. Rain showers. 
.WED NIGHT...W winds 30 kt. Fog and freezing fog. 
.THU...W winds 25 kt. 
.THU NIGHT...W winds 25 kt. 
.FRI...W winds 20 kt. 
.SAT...W winds 20 kt.  

$$

PKZ245-040215-
Flaxman Island to Demarcation Point-
439 AM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

.TODAY...SW winds 15 kt. 
.TONIGHT...SW winds 25 kt. Rain showers and snow showers. 
.WED...W winds 30 kt. Fog. Rain showers. 
.WED NIGHT...W winds 35 kt. Freezing fog and fog. 
.THU...W winds 35 kt. 
.THU NIGHT...W winds 30 kt. 
.FRI...W winds 20 kt. 
.SAT...W winds 25 kt.  

$$

Jul 18
3 follow-up statements
682 
FZAK51 PAFG 031243
CWFNSB

Coastal Waters Forecast for Arctic Alaska
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
443 AM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

Arctic Alaska Coastal Waters out 100 NM

Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction
expected. Sea forecasts represent the average of the highest one-
third of the combined wind-wave and swell height.

PKZ298-040215-
443 AM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

.SYNOPSIS FOR ARCTIC COAST...
A strong low pressure system will move west to east across the
Arctic today and tomorrow. Today will see increased southwest
winds. Tonight and tomorrow will see strong southwest winds and 
precipitation, with rain during the day and a rain/snow mix 
overnight. After the system passes, winds will remain strong for 
the next couple of days.

$$

PKZ225-040215-
Cape Thompson to Cape Beaufort-
443 AM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH EARLY WEDNESDAY
MORNING...

.TODAY...SW winds 35 kt. Seas 7 ft. Fog.
.TONIGHT...SW winds 30 kt. Seas 7 ft. Fog.
.WED...NW winds 20 kt. Seas 6 ft. Fog.
.WED NIGHT...N winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. Fog.
.THU...N winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...W winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.FRI...SW winds 15 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.SAT...SW winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.  

$$

PKZ230-040215-
Cape Beaufort to Point Franklin-
443 AM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM EARLY THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH EARLY
WEDNESDAY MORNING...

.TODAY...SW winds 30 kt. Seas 7 ft. Fog.
.TONIGHT...SW winds 35 kt. Seas 7 ft. Fog. Rain showers. 
.WED...W winds 25 kt. Seas 6 ft. Fog and freezing fog. 
.WED NIGHT...NW winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. Fog and freezing fog.
Freezing spray. 
.THU...W winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...W winds 20 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.FRI...W winds 20 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.SAT...W winds 20 kt. Seas 3 ft.  

$$

PKZ235-040215-
Point Franklin to Cape Halkett-
443 AM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH EARLY WEDNESDAY
MORNING...

.TODAY...SW winds 25 kt. Fog. VSBY 1 NM or less. 
.TONIGHT...SW winds 30 kt. Fog. Rain showers. 
.WED...NW winds 35 kt. Fog and freezing fog. 
.WED NIGHT...NW winds 30 kt. Fog and freezing fog. 
.THU...W winds 20 kt. 
.THU NIGHT...W winds 25 kt. 
.FRI...W winds 20 kt. 
.SAT...W winds 20 kt.  

$$

PKZ240-040215-
Cape Halkett to Flaxman Island-
443 AM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM LATE TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH
EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING...

.TODAY...SW winds 20 kt. 
.TONIGHT...SW winds 30 kt. Fog. Rain showers. 
.WED...W winds 30 kt. Rain showers and snow showers. 
.WED NIGHT...W winds 30 kt. Fog and freezing fog. 
.THU...W winds 25 kt. 
.THU NIGHT...W winds 25 kt. 
.FRI...W winds 20 kt. 
.SAT...W winds 20 kt.  

$$

PKZ245-040215-
Flaxman Island to Demarcation Point-
443 AM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM LATE TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH
EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING...

.TODAY...SW winds 15 kt. 
.TONIGHT...SW winds 25 kt. Rain showers and snow showers. 
.WED...W winds 30 kt. Fog. Rain showers. 
.WED NIGHT...W winds 35 kt. Freezing fog and fog. 
.THU...W winds 35 kt. 
.THU NIGHT...W winds 30 kt. 
.FRI...W winds 20 kt. 
.SAT...W winds 25 kt.  

$$

Jul 18
153 
FZAK51 PAFG 032300
CWFNSB

Coastal Waters Forecast for Arctic Alaska
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
300 PM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

Arctic Alaska Coastal Waters out 100 NM

Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction
expected. Sea forecasts represent the average of the highest one-
third of the combined wind-wave and swell height.

PKZ298-041430-
300 PM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

.SYNOPSIS FOR ARCTIC COAST...
A 1010 mb low 300 nm north of Barrow will move to Banks Island as
a 1015 mb low by 4am Wed. A low just west of Wrangel Island will 
move to 300 NM north of Barter Island as a 1001 mb low by 4pm Wed,
and to near Banks Island as a 1000 mb low by 4pm Thu.

$$

PKZ225-041430-
Cape Thompson to Cape Beaufort-
300 PM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING...

.TONIGHT...SW winds 35 kt. Seas 9 ft. Fog.
.WED...NW winds 20 kt. Seas 6 ft. Fog.
.WED NIGHT...N winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft. Fog.
.THU...W winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. Fog.
.THU NIGHT...W winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. Fog.
.FRI...SW winds 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.FRI NIGHT...SW winds 15 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.SAT...SW winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.SUN...N winds 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.  

$$

PKZ230-041430-
Cape Beaufort to Point Franklin-
300 PM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING...

.TONIGHT...SW winds 35 kt. Seas 9 ft. Fog. Rain. 
.WED...NW winds 25 kt. Seas 6 ft. Fog.
.WED NIGHT...NW winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. Fog and freezing fog. 
.THU...W winds 20 kt. Seas 3 ft. Fog and freezing fog. 
.THU NIGHT...W winds 20 kt. Seas 3 ft. Fog.
.FRI...SW winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.FRI NIGHT...W winds 20 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.SAT...W winds 20 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.SUN...NW winds 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.  

$$

PKZ235-041430-
Point Franklin to Cape Halkett-
300 PM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...

.TONIGHT...SW winds 30 kt. Fog. Rain showers. 
.WED...NW winds 25 kt. Fog. 
.WED NIGHT...NW winds 25 kt. Fog. 
.THU...W winds 20 kt. Fog. 
.THU NIGHT...W winds 25 kt. Fog.
.FRI...SW winds 20 kt. 
.FRI NIGHT...W winds 20 kt. 
.SAT...W winds 20 kt. 
.SUN...NW winds 15 kt.  

$$

PKZ240-041430-
Cape Halkett to Flaxman Island-
300 PM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM LATE TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...

.TONIGHT...SW winds 20 kt increasing to 30 kt. Fog. Rain.
.WED...W winds 30 kt. Rain. Fog.
.WED NIGHT...W winds 30 kt. Fog. 
.THU...W winds 30 kt. Fog. 
.THU NIGHT...W winds 25 kt. Fog.
.FRI...W winds 15 kt. 
.FRI NIGHT...W winds 20 kt. 
.SAT...W winds 20 kt. 
.SUN...NW winds 10 kt.  

$$

PKZ245-041430-
Flaxman Island to Demarcation Point-
300 PM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...

.TONIGHT...SW winds 15 kt increasing to 25 kt. Fog. Rain showers.
.WED...W winds 30 kt. Fog. Rain. 
.WED NIGHT...W winds 35 kt. Fog. Rain.
.THU...W winds 40 kt. Fog. Rain.
.THU NIGHT...W winds 30 kt. Fog.
.FRI...W winds 15 kt. 
.FRI NIGHT...W winds 20 kt. 
.SAT...W winds 25 kt. 
.SUN...W winds 10 kt.  

$$

Jul 18
299 
FZAK51 PAFG 041204
CWFNSB

Coastal Waters Forecast for Arctic Alaska
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
404 AM AKDT Wed Jul 4 2018

Arctic Alaska Coastal Waters out 100 NM

Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction
expected. Sea forecasts represent the average of the highest one-
third of the combined wind-wave and swell height.

PKZ298-050230-
404 AM AKDT Wed Jul 4 2018

.SYNOPSIS FOR ARCTIC COAST...
A low moving through the Arctic is producing strong west to
northwest winds. The strongest winds will continue through tonight
for the Western Arctic and tomorrow for the Eastern Arctic. Winds
will gradually taper off later in the week.

$$

PKZ225-050230-
Cape Thompson to Cape Beaufort-
404 AM AKDT Wed Jul 4 2018

.TODAY...NW winds 20 kt decreasing to 10 kt. Seas 5 ft. Fog.
.TONIGHT...N winds 10 kt. Seas 4 ft. Fog.
.THU...W winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. Fog.
.THU NIGHT...SW winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft. Fog.
.FRI...S winds 25 kt. Seas 5 ft. Fog.
.FRI NIGHT...SW winds 20 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.SAT...SW winds 20 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.SUN...N winds 20 kt. Seas 2 ft.  

$$

PKZ230-050230-
Cape Beaufort to Point Franklin-
404 AM AKDT Wed Jul 4 2018

.TODAY...NW winds 15 kt. Seas 5 ft subsiding. Fog. VSBY 1 NM or
less. 
.TONIGHT...NW winds 10 kt. Seas 4 ft. Fog and freezing fog. 
.THU...W winds 30 kt. Seas 5 ft. Fog.
.THU NIGHT...W winds 25 kt. Seas 5 ft. Fog.
.FRI...SW winds 30 kt. Seas 6 ft. Fog.
.FRI NIGHT...SW winds 25 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.SAT...W winds 25 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.SUN...NW winds 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.  

$$

PKZ235-050230-
Point Franklin to Cape Halkett-
404 AM AKDT Wed Jul 4 2018

.TODAY...NW winds 20 kt. Fog and freezing fog. VSBY 1 NM or less.
.TONIGHT...W winds 20 kt. Fog and freezing fog. 
.THU...W winds 25 kt. Fog and freezing fog. 
.THU NIGHT...W winds 25 kt. Fog.
.FRI...W winds 30 kt. 
.FRI NIGHT...W winds 20 kt. 
.SAT...W winds 25 kt. 
.SUN...NW winds 15 kt.  

$$

PKZ240-050230-
Cape Halkett to Flaxman Island-
404 AM AKDT Wed Jul 4 2018

...BRISK WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY MORNING...

.TODAY...W winds 25 kt. Fog. Rain showers. 
.TONIGHT...W winds 30 kt. Fog and freezing fog. 
.THU...W winds 25 kt. Fog and freezing fog. 
.THU NIGHT...W winds 20 kt. Fog. Freezing rain. 
.FRI...W winds 30 kt. 
.FRI NIGHT...W winds 20 kt. 
.SAT...W winds 20 kt. 
.SUN...W winds 15 kt.  

$$

PKZ245-050230-
Flaxman Island to Demarcation Point-
404 AM AKDT Wed Jul 4 2018

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH EARLY
THURSDAY MORNING...

.TODAY...SW winds 25 kt. Fog. Rain showers. 
.TONIGHT...W winds 35 kt. Fog and freezing fog. 
.THU...W winds 35 kt. Fog.
.THU NIGHT...W winds 20 kt. Fog. Rain showers. 
.FRI...W winds 30 kt. 
.FRI NIGHT...W winds 25 kt. 
.SAT...W winds 25 kt. 
.SUN...W winds 15 kt.  

$$

Jul 18

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this gale warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Fairbanks, AK wrote its last area forecast discussion before this gale warning went out at Jul 3, 4:20 AM AKDT, 19 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 3, 4:20 AM AKDT, 19 minutes before
Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
420 AM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

.DISCUSSION...
The ridge that has built in over much of the state will be the
driver of weather for most of the state this week. A low will
skirt across the Arctic over the top of the ridge, producing
inclement weather for the North Slope. The main weather concern
over the next few days will be the low pressure system moving
across the Arctic. Secondarily, fire weather is of slight concern
due to warming and drying from the ridge coupled with people
outdoors celebrating Independence Day. However, conditions are not
expected to dry too much, so this is of lesser concern.

Models generally agree with the solution through Thursday on the
overall pattern, then they begin to differ considerably going into
the weekend. All models have an upper level low coming into play
over the weekend for the Interior. However, the GFS exits this
low and builds ridging back in, while the ECMWF keeps the low as a
stronger presence through the weekend. As a result, not much
confidence in the long range right now.

Aloft...
The longwave ridge is building as expected from the south. This
ridge will remain the main influencer for the Interior and West
Coast the next few days. An upper level low moves south and east
across the Arctic the next couple of days, flattening the ridge
somewhat. The center of this low is expected to move along the
coast and past Demarcation Point Thursday afternoon. As is does
this a trough will push southeast through the Interior, cooling
temperatures and producing some showers and thunderstorms ahead
of it. Beyond this point in time is when models begin to diverge.

Surface...

Central and Eastern Interior...
High pressure will be the dominant feature until Thursday. Warm
and dry conditions will be present over the holiday as a result.
Conditions are not expected to dry to the point of meeting Red
Flag criteria. However, warming and drying will increase the fire
threat the next couple of days, so those going outdoors for the
holiday should be careful with open flames of any kind. The front
mentioned above is expected to push through the Interior on
Thursday afternoon, bringing some showers, thunderstorms and
cooler temperatures with it. It is not anticipated to be a major
weather producer though. Even with the high, some isolated
thunderstorms are possible today in the Eastern Brooks Range and
tomorrow in the southeast Interior.

West Coast and Western Interior...
The West Coast and Western Interior are pretty quiet when it comes
to major weather features with high pressure directly over them.
However, with high pressure in place this time of year, there is
persistent sea stratus and sea fog in areas immediately along the
coast. Rain showers will be present in the Southwest Interior and
in the Y-K Delta Wednesday and Thursday. The tail end of the front
that is expected to move southeast through the North Slope and
Interior Wednesday into Thursday will bring a few showers to the
Western Interior and West Coast as well, though it will quickly
die out as it goes. So, no major impacts for the West Coast.

North Slope and Brooks Range...
Inclement weather will be present the next few days with a low
pressure system working its way from west to east across the
North Slope. The low should impact the northwest coast today and
the eastern north slope tomorrow. Low ceilings, windy conditions
and showers are expected for most areas. Temperatures are warm
enough that precipitation should fall in the form of rain. Behind
the front, a tight pressure gradient will produce strong northwest
winds. The Brooks Range will also see rain from this system,
mainly in the central and eastern Brooks Range.

Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...
Strong northerly winds may cause elevated surf in areas of the
northwest coast that is free of shore ice.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Isolated convection may be possible today in the Eastern Brooks
Range and tomorrow in the Southeast Interior. Otherwise thunderstorm
activity will quiet as a strong ridge will continue to build
through much of the state. This ridge will also produce warming
and drying throughout the Interior the next couple of days. One
area of concern is the Northeast Interior, mainly in the Yukon
Flats. We will need to keep an eye on possible Red Flag conditions
there for the next couple of days.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Periods of heavy precipitation that occurred in the Southeast
Interior over the weekend are still influencing river levels.
River levels are expected to remain high for the next several days
as the rain that fell continues to work its way through various
watersheds. Glacial melt with warming temperatures during the week
will also contribute to high water levels. Water is also expected
to remain over the Tetlin Road through the week.

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Small Craft Advisory for PKZ210-PKZ220-PKZ225-PKZ235.

Gale Warning for PKZ230.
&&

BJB JUL 18

The office that day

Everything else NWS Fairbanks, AK issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 3, 4:43 AM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFG23 hr
Jul 3, 2:17 PM AKDTRed Flag WarningAFG31 hr
Jul 3, 2:44 PM AKDTHigh Wind WarningAFG35 hr
Jul 3, 3:00 PM AKDTGale WarningAFG13 hr

Nearby

Gale Warnings in Alaska, 2018Every gale warning in 2018

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text.