Alert archive / Alaska / Gale Warnings in 2018

Gale Warning 67, NWS Fairbanks, AK

August 15, 2018

NWS Fairbanks, AK issued this gale warning at Aug 15, 2018, 4:26 AM AKDT. It was in force for 33 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
Aug 15, 2018, 4:26 AM AKDT (12:26 UTC)
Expired
Aug 16, 2018, 1:49 PM AKDT
In force
33 hr
Issued by
NWS Fairbanks, AK

The text

As transmitted.

509 
FZAK51 PAFG 151226
CWFNSB

Coastal Waters Forecast for Arctic Alaska
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
426 AM AKDT Wed Aug 15 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.

PKZ298-160415-
426 AM AKDT Wed Aug 15 2018

.SYNOPSIS FOR ARCTIC COAST...
A 985 mb low will push south across the Arctic Ocean today. This 
low will be around 270 NM N of Utqiagvik by this afternoon and 
will move to 350 NM N of MacKenzie Bay by Thursday morning. A 
weather front associated with this low will move east along the 
Arctic Coast today.

$$

PKZ225-160415-
Cape Thompson to Cape Beaufort-
426 AM AKDT Wed Aug 15 2018

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE THIS AFTERNOON...

.TODAY...W winds 25 kt. Seas 7 ft. 
.TONIGHT...W winds 25 kt. Seas 8 ft. 
.THU...W winds 25 kt. Seas 7 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...SW winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.FRI...S winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.FRI NIGHT...S winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.SAT...SW winds 25 kt. Seas 6 ft. 
.SUN...S winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.  

$$

PKZ230-160415-
Cape Beaufort to Point Franklin-
426 AM AKDT Wed Aug 15 2018

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE THIS AFTERNOON...

.TODAY...W winds 35 kt. Seas 8 ft. 
.TONIGHT...W winds 25 kt. Seas 8 ft. Fog.
.THU...W winds 25 kt. Seas 6 ft. Fog.
.THU NIGHT...W winds 15 kt. Seas 5 ft. Fog.
.FRI...E winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. Fog.
.FRI NIGHT...E winds 10 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.SAT...SW winds 25 kt. Seas 6 ft. 
.SUN...S winds 10 kt. Seas 3 ft.  

$$

PKZ235-160415-
Point Franklin to Cape Halkett-
426 AM AKDT Wed Aug 15 2018

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE THIS AFTERNOON...

.TODAY...SW winds 35 kt. Fog, rain.
.TONIGHT...W winds 25 kt. Fog, rain.
.THU...W winds 20 kt. Fog, rain.
.THU NIGHT...W winds 15 kt. Fog.
.FRI...NW winds 15 kt. Fog.
.FRI NIGHT...NW winds 5 kt. 
.SAT...SW winds 20 kt. 
.SUN...E winds 15 kt.  

$$

PKZ240-160415-
Cape Halkett to Flaxman Island-
426 AM AKDT Wed Aug 15 2018

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

.TODAY...SW winds 35 kt. Rain and snow. 
.TONIGHT...W winds 35 kt. Fog, rain.
.THU...W winds 20 kt. Rain with snow. 
.THU NIGHT...W winds 20 kt. Fog.
.FRI...W winds 15 kt. Fog.
.FRI NIGHT...W winds 10 kt. 
.SAT...S winds 10 kt. 
.SUN...E winds 10 kt.  

$$

PKZ245-160415-
Flaxman Island to Demarcation Point-
426 AM AKDT Wed Aug 15 2018

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

.TODAY...W winds 25 kt becoming SW 35 kt. 
.TONIGHT...W winds 35 kt. Rain and snow. 
.THU...W winds 25 kt. Rain and snow. 
.THU NIGHT...W winds 20 kt. Rain and snow. 
.FRI...W winds 20 kt. Fog.
.FRI NIGHT...W winds 15 kt. 
.SAT...S winds 5 kt. 
.SUN...W winds 15 kt.  

$$

Aug 18
3 follow-up statements
250 
FZAK51 PAFG 152212
CWFNSB

Coastal Waters Forecast for Arctic Alaska
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
212 PM AKDT Wed Aug 15 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.

PKZ298-161430-
212 PM AKDT Wed Aug 15 2018

.SYNOPSIS FOR ARCTIC COAST...
A 985 mb low 250 nm northeast of Utqiagvik will push southeast 
across the Beaufort Sea tonight to be located near Banks Island 
Thursday morning. A weather front associated with this low will 
continue to move east along the Arctic Coast tonight.

$$

PKZ225-161430-
Cape Thompson to Cape Beaufort-
212 PM AKDT Wed Aug 15 2018

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

.TONIGHT...W winds 25 kt. Seas 8 ft. 
.THU...W winds 20 kt. Seas 7 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...SW winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.FRI...SW winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.FRI NIGHT...SW winds 20 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.SAT...SW winds 10 kt. Seas 5 ft. 
.SAT NIGHT...S winds 20 kt. Seas 6 ft. 
.SUN...S winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.MON...NE winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.  

$$

PKZ230-161430-
Cape Beaufort to Point Franklin-
212 PM AKDT Wed Aug 15 2018

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

.TONIGHT...W winds 25 kt. Seas 8 ft. Fog.
.THU...W winds 20 kt. Seas 6 ft. Fog, rain.
.THU NIGHT...NW winds 15 kt. Seas 5 ft. Fog, rain.
.FRI...E winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. Fog.
.FRI NIGHT...SW winds 20 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.SAT...W winds 15 kt. Seas 6 ft. 
.SAT NIGHT...SW winds 25 kt. Seas 5 ft. 
.SUN...S winds 10 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.MON...NE winds 25 kt. Seas 6 ft.  

$$

PKZ235-161430-
Point Franklin to Cape Halkett-
212 PM AKDT Wed Aug 15 2018

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

.TONIGHT...W winds 25 kt. Fog.
.THU...W winds 20 kt. Fog.
.THU NIGHT...W winds 15 kt. Fog.
.FRI...E winds 10 kt. Fog.
.FRI NIGHT...E winds 15 kt. 
.SAT...S winds 20 kt. 
.SAT NIGHT...SW winds 20 kt. 
.SUN...E winds 15 kt. 
.MON...NE winds 20 kt.  

$$

PKZ240-161430-
Cape Halkett to Flaxman Island-
212 PM AKDT Wed Aug 15 2018

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

.TONIGHT...W winds 25 kt. Fog, rain.
.THU...W winds 20 kt. Fog, rain.
.THU NIGHT...W winds 20 kt. Fog.
.FRI...W winds 10 kt. Fog.
.FRI NIGHT...E winds 10 kt. 
.SAT...SW winds 20 kt. Rain.
.SAT NIGHT...S winds 10 kt. 
.SUN...E winds 10 kt. 
.MON...NE winds 20 kt.  

$$

PKZ245-161430-
Flaxman Island to Demarcation Point-
212 PM AKDT Wed Aug 15 2018

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

.TONIGHT...W winds 35 kt. Fog, rain.
.THU...W winds 25 kt. Fog, rain.
.THU NIGHT...W winds 20 kt. Fog, rain.
.FRI...W winds 20 kt. Fog.
.FRI NIGHT...E winds 5 kt. 
.SAT...SW winds 15 kt. 
.SAT NIGHT...S winds 5 kt. 
.SUN...W winds 15 kt. 
.MON...E winds 15 kt.  

$$

CCC Aug 18
706 
FZAK51 PAFG 161226
CWFNSB

Coastal Waters Forecast for Arctic Alaska
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
426 AM AKDT Thu Aug 16 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.

PKZ298-170215-
426 AM AKDT Thu Aug 16 2018

.SYNOPSIS FOR ARCTIC COAST...
An elongated 985 mb low running parallel to the Beaufort coast 
approx 250 nm offshore will slide east to Banks Island through
Friday. A weather front will clip the coast as it tracks east.
High pressure will build from the northwest towards Utqiagvik
Friday as a 995 mb low moves into the Chukchi Sea.

$$

PKZ225-170215-
Cape Thompson to Cape Beaufort-
426 AM AKDT Thu Aug 16 2018

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

.TODAY...SW winds 20 kt. Seas 7 ft subsiding to 5 ft. Fog.
.TONIGHT...SW winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.FRI...SW winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.FRI NIGHT...SW winds 25 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.SAT...W winds 25 kt. Seas 5 ft. 
.SAT NIGHT...S winds 10 kt. Seas 6 ft. 
.SUN...S winds 20 kt. Seas 5 ft. 
.MON...NE winds 15 kt. Seas 7 ft.  

$$

PKZ230-170215-
Cape Beaufort to Point Franklin-
426 AM AKDT Thu Aug 16 2018

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

.TODAY...W winds 20 kt. Seas 6 ft. Fog, rain.
.TONIGHT...NW winds 15 kt. Seas 5 ft. Fog.
.FRI...E winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. Fog, rain.
.FRI NIGHT...SE winds 25 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.SAT...W winds 25 kt. Seas 6 ft. 
.SAT NIGHT...NW winds 10 kt. Seas 9 ft. 
.SUN...E winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.MON...NE winds 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.  An elongated 985 mb low running parallel to the Beaufort coast 
approx 250 nm offshore will slide east to Banks Island through
Friday. A weather front will clip the coast as it tracks east.
High pressure will build from the northwest towards Utqiagvik
Friday as a 995 mb low moves into the Chukchi Sea.

$$

PKZ235-170215-
Point Franklin to Cape Halkett-
426 AM AKDT Thu Aug 16 2018

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

.TODAY...W winds 20 kt. Fog, rain.
.TONIGHT...NW winds 15 kt. Fog.
.FRI...E winds 10 kt. Fog.
.FRI NIGHT...E winds 20 kt. Fog, rain.
.SAT...S winds 20 kt. Rain and freezing rain. 
.SAT NIGHT...NW winds 20 kt. 
.SUN...E winds 15 kt. 
.MON...E winds 20 kt.  

$$

PKZ240-170215-
Cape Halkett to Flaxman Island-
426 AM AKDT Thu Aug 16 2018

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

.TODAY...W winds 25 kt. Fog, rain.
.TONIGHT...W winds 20 kt. Fog.
.FRI...NW winds 10 kt. Fog.
.FRI NIGHT...E winds 15 kt. Rain.
.SAT...S winds 20 kt. Fog, rain.
.SAT NIGHT...W winds 20 kt. 
.SUN...N winds 15 kt. 
.MON...NE winds 15 kt.  

$$

PKZ245-170215-
Flaxman Island to Demarcation Point-
426 AM AKDT Thu Aug 16 2018

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

.TODAY...W winds 30 kt decreasing to 20 kt. Fog, rain.
.TONIGHT...W winds 20 kt. Fog.
.FRI...NW winds 20 kt. Fog.
.FRI NIGHT...E winds 10 kt. 
.SAT...S winds 15 kt. Fog, rain.
.SAT NIGHT...W winds 20 kt. 
.SUN...N winds 25 kt. 
.MON...E winds 15 kt.  

$$

Aug 18
296 
FZAK51 PAFG 162149
CWFNSB

Coastal Waters Forecast for Arctic Alaska
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
149 PM AKDT Thu Aug 16 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.

PKZ298-171415-
149 PM AKDT Thu Aug 16 2018

.SYNOPSIS FOR ARCTIC COAST...
An elongated 985 mb low running parallel to the Beaufort coast 
approx 250 nm offshore will slide east to Banks Island through
Friday. A weather front will clip the coast as it tracks east.
High pressure will build from the northwest towards Utqiagvik
Friday as a 998 mb low moves into the Chukchi Sea. 

$$

PKZ225-171415-
Cape Thompson to Cape Beaufort-
149 PM AKDT Thu Aug 16 2018

.TONIGHT...SW winds 15 kt. Seas 5 ft subsiding. 
.FRI...S winds 10 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.FRI NIGHT...S winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.SAT...W winds 20 kt. Seas 6 ft. 
.SAT NIGHT...W winds 10 kt. Seas 5 ft. 
.SUN...E winds 10 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.SUN NIGHT...SE winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.MON...NE winds 15 kt. Seas 7 ft. 
.TUE...NE winds 20 kt. Seas 8 ft.  

$$

PKZ230-171415-
Cape Beaufort to Point Franklin-
149 PM AKDT Thu Aug 16 2018

.TONIGHT...NW winds 15 kt becoming NE. Seas 5 ft subsiding. Fog,
rain.
.FRI...E winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. Fog.
.FRI NIGHT...E winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. Fog, rain.
.SAT...SW winds 20 kt. Seas 6 ft. Fog.
.SAT NIGHT...W winds 15 kt. Seas 5 ft. Fog.
.SUN...NE winds 10 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.SUN NIGHT...E winds 10 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.MON...NE winds 25 kt. Seas 7 ft. 
.TUE...E winds 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.  

$$

PKZ235-171415-
Point Franklin to Cape Halkett-
149 PM AKDT Thu Aug 16 2018

.TONIGHT...W winds 20 kt. Fog and freezing fog. 
.FRI...N winds 10 kt. Freezing fog and fog. 
.FRI NIGHT...E winds 20 kt. Freezing fog and fog. 
.SAT...E winds 20 kt. Rain and snow. 
.SAT NIGHT...W winds 10 kt. Fog.
.SUN...N winds 10 kt. 
.SUN NIGHT...E winds 15 kt. 
.MON...E winds 20 kt. 
.TUE...E winds 25 kt.  

$$

PKZ240-171415-
Cape Halkett to Flaxman Island-
149 PM AKDT Thu Aug 16 2018

.TONIGHT...W winds 20 kt. Fog and freezing fog. 
.FRI...NW winds 15 kt. Freezing fog and fog. 
.FRI NIGHT...E winds 10 kt. Freezing fog. 
.SAT...E winds 15 kt. Snow and rain. 
.SAT NIGHT...SW winds 15 kt. Fog.
.SUN...W winds 10 kt. 
.SUN NIGHT...E winds 10 kt. 
.MON...NE winds 15 kt. 
.TUE...E winds 25 kt.  

$$

PKZ245-171415-
Flaxman Island to Demarcation Point-
149 PM AKDT Thu Aug 16 2018

...BRISK WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH EARLY
FRIDAY MORNING...

.TONIGHT...W winds 25 kt. Fog.
.FRI...W winds 20 kt. Fog and freezing fog. 
.FRI NIGHT...W winds 10 kt. Freezing fog and fog. 
.SAT...SE winds 10 kt. Snow and rain. 
.SAT NIGHT...W winds 15 kt. Fog.
.SUN...W winds 15 kt. 
.SUN NIGHT...E winds 15 kt. 
.MON...E winds 15 kt. 
.TUE...E winds 25 kt.  

$$

Aug 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 Aug 14, 2:21 PM AKDT, 14 hours 5 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 14, 2:21 PM AKDT, 14 hours 5 minutes before
Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
221 PM AKDT Tue Aug 14 2018

.DISCUSSION...
Main forecast concerns include the potential for high surf
conditions from Utqiagvik west and strong west to southwest winds
along the Arctic Coast as well as ongoing rainfall in parts of the
Interior. 24-hour rainfall totals over the Interior ranged from
0.25" to 1.25" with the heaviest totals in an area from the Upper
Koyukuk River to Fortymile Country including the Middle Tanana
Valley. High Surf Advisories for the Western Arctic Coast from
Utqiagvik (Barrow) west starting Wednesday morning. Strong wind
headlines are up for the Arctic Coast for Wednesday and Wednesday
night. Latest suite of model solutions are in fair agreement
during the first 24 hours but quickly show differences in respect
to the individual features strength and track beyond 24 hours.

Aloft...At 500 mb, a broad upper level trough extending from the
high Arctic south over Alaska and Gulf of Alaska will persist over
the next couple of days. A 547 dam low over Nunivak Island will
dig southward towards Port Moller and Sand Point through Thursday
morning with a piece of energy breaking off to travel northeast
into the Gulf of Alaska. A ridge of high pressure over Siberian
Russia will build east over the Chukchi Sea, Bering Strait, and
into the western Bering Sea through Wednesday night, but will then
be pushed south over Kamchatka Peninsula and the far western
Bering Sea by Thursday morning. A shortwave over the Seward
Peninsula will move south and weaken this evening. A 520 dam low
over Banks Island will move east into the Canadian Arctic
Archipelago through Thursday morning with several trailing
shortwaves in the west to northwest flow moving over the North
Slope. Another low will move southeast from 80N 165E to be 200 to
300 miles north of Utqiagvik by Thursday morning; however the trio
of GFS/ECMWF/NAM all have different solutions regarding this low
with the ECMWF being the more progressive of the three solutions.

North Slope and Brooks Range...Primary concerns include strong
west to southwest winds Wednesday into Thursday along the Arctic
Coast with high surf possible from Point Barrow west. West winds
will steadily increase from Point Barrow west after midnight
tonight and into tomorrow as a low moves southeast from 78N 170W
to Banks Island by tomorrow evening. Winds will peak around 20 to
30 mph sustained with gusts to around 45 mph. Latest surge
guidance continues to indicate elevated seas around one-half to
one foot thus significant coastal flooding will not be an issue
as high surf remains likely. Will keep the High Surf Advisories
the same as timing seems to be good with the uptick in wind
speeds. As the low moves east tomorrow, the gradient along the
Beaufort Sea Coast will tighten resulting in strong southwest
winds gusting up to 55 mph. Wind speeds are going to be close to
high wind warning criteria, current thinking is that the winds
will approach, but not exceeded the threshold. A front associated
with the eastward moving low will bring a chance for
precipitation to the North Slope as it initially passes with
additional precipitation likely through Thursday evening. At this
time, it looks like the warm atmospheric profile will support
rain, but could see some snow mixing in during the overnight
periods with diurnal trends.

Eastern and Central Interior...24-hour rainfall totals up to 1.00"
has been observed across the Eastern Interior through earlier
this morning. Rainfall amounts around between 0.50" to 1.5" have
been reported in Denali National Park. Periods of rain will
continue across the area into tonight for the Eastern Interior and
will taper off towards morning from west to east. Additional
rainfall amounts of up to 0.50" are possible. The exception will
be the Upper Tanana Valley where weak downslope conditions kept
rainfall amounts light. Will see river levels increase in response
to this latest round of rain over the next couple of days, but
are expected to remain below action stage. Areas of fog are likely
to develop in areas with breaks in overcast conditions tonight
and early Wednesday morning. High temperatures will remain below
normal, but will slowly warm by a couple degrees each day through
Friday returning near normal values by the weekend.

West Coast and Western Interior...Upper level ridge will nudge
into the Bering and Chukchi Seas over the next couple of days,
bringing a brief break to cloud and wet conditions. Strong north
winds have weakened over the Chukchi Sea and Bering Strait, but
remain gusty to around 35 mph over St Lawrence Island. Will
continue see to a downward trend through the evening. Temperatures
will remain near to slightly above normal through the rest of the
week.

Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...None, but see North Slope
Section above for issues in the shorter term.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...No issues anticipated. Periods of rain will
continue across the Eastern Interior and Alaska Range, except for
the Upper Tanana Valley where weak downslope conditions exist.
Minimum RH values will remain above 40 percent across most of the
area for Wednesday and Thursday as well (with the main exception
being the upper Tanana Valley, which will drop into the mid 30
percent range).

&&

.HYDROLOGY...Rises are expected on Interior rivers over the next few
days due to recent rainfall. Current thinking is that rivers will
remain below action stage.
&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
High Surf Advisory for AKZ201-AKZ202.

Small Craft Advisory for PKZ210-PKZ220-PKZ225-PKZ230-PKZ235.

Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ240-PKZ245.
&&

LTH AUG 18

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 14, 11:29 PM AKDT, 4 hours 57 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
1129 PM AKDT TUE AUG 14 2018

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

0845 PM     HEAVY RAIN       3 SSW FOX               64.91N 147.65W
08/14/2018  M0.95 INCH       FAIRBANKS NORTH STAAK   TRAINED SPOTTER

            THE DURATION OF THE HEAVY RAIN EVENT WAS 24
            HOURS.

&&

AY

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 15, 12:08 AM AKDTHigh Wind WarningAFG28 hr
Aug 15, 2:12 PM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFG24 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.