Alert archive / Alaska / Gale Warnings in 2018

Gale Warning 85, NWS Fairbanks, AK

October 15, 2018

NWS Fairbanks, AK issued this gale warning at Oct 15, 2018, 2:49 PM AKDT. It was in force for 37 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
Oct 15, 2018, 2:49 PM AKDT (22:49 UTC)
Expired
Oct 17, 2018, 3:25 AM AKDT
In force
37 hr
Issued by
NWS Fairbanks, AK

The text

As transmitted.

567 
FZAK52 PAFG 152249
CWFWCZ

Coastal Waters Forecast for Northwest Alaska
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
249 PM AKDT Mon Oct 15 2018

Northwestern 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.

PKZ299-161415-
249 PM AKDT Mon Oct 15 2018

.SYNOPSIS FOR NORTHWEST COAST...
A 974 mb low just north of the Alaska Peninsula will move north 
tonight and will be around 125 NM south of Nunivak Island by 
Tuesday afternoon. The low will then push south into Bristol Bay 
on Wednesday where it will persist into Thursday.

$$

PKZ200-161415-
Norton Sound-
249 PM AKDT Mon Oct 15 2018

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

.TONIGHT...NE winds 30 kt. Seas 7 ft. 
.TUE...NE winds 25 kt. Seas 5 ft. 
.TUE NIGHT...NE winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.WED...N winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.WED NIGHT...N winds 20 kt. Seas 5 ft. 
.THU...N winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...NE winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.FRI...N winds 25 kt. Seas 5 ft. 
.SAT...NE winds 15 kt. Seas 5 ft.  

$$

PKZ210-161415-
Dall Point to Wales-
249 PM AKDT Mon Oct 15 2018

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON...

.TONIGHT...NE winds 35 kt. Seas 15 ft. Rain.
.TUE...NE winds 35 kt. Seas 14 ft. 
.TUE NIGHT...N winds 35 kt. Seas 14 ft. 
.WED...N winds 30 kt. Seas 12 ft. 
.WED NIGHT...N winds 30 kt. Seas 8 ft. 
.THU...N winds 25 kt. Seas 10 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...N winds 25 kt. Seas 8 ft. 
.FRI...N winds 30 kt. Seas 7 ft. 
.SAT...N winds 25 kt. Seas 10 ft.  

$$

PKZ215-161415-
Kotzebue Sound-
249 PM AKDT Mon Oct 15 2018

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH EARLY
TUESDAY MORNING...

.TONIGHT...NE winds 25 kt. Seas 5 ft subsiding. 
.TUE...NE winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.TUE NIGHT...NE winds 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. Rain.
.WED...N winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.WED NIGHT...N winds 20 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.THU...N winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...NE winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.FRI...N winds 20 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.SAT...NE winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.  

$$

PKZ220-161415-
Wales to Cape Thompson-
249 PM AKDT Mon Oct 15 2018

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY
AFTERNOON...

.TONIGHT...NE winds 30 kt. Seas 11 ft. 
.TUE...NE winds 35 kt. Seas 12 ft. 
.TUE NIGHT...N winds 30 kt. Seas 12 ft. 
.WED...N winds 30 kt. Seas 11 ft. 
.WED NIGHT...N winds 25 kt. Seas 7 ft. 
.THU...N winds 20 kt. Seas 8 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...NE winds 20 kt. Seas 6 ft. 
.FRI...N winds 25 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.SAT...NE winds 25 kt. Seas 10 ft.  

$$

Oct 18
3 follow-up statements
087 
FZAK52 PAFG 161213
CWFWCZ

Coastal Waters Forecast for Northwest Alaska
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
413 AM AKDT Tue Oct 16 2018

Northwestern 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.

PKZ299-170215-
413 AM AKDT Tue Oct 16 2018

.SYNOPSIS FOR NORTHWEST COAST...
A 977 mb low centered over Bristol Bay will remain in place and
weaken through Thursday.

$$

PKZ200-170215-
Norton Sound-
413 AM AKDT Tue Oct 16 2018

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

.TODAY...NE winds 25 kt. Seas 4 ft subsiding. 
.TONIGHT...NE winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.WED...N winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.WED NIGHT...N winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.THU...N winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...NE winds 15 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.FRI...N winds 35 kt. Seas 6 ft. 
.SAT...N winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.  

$$

PKZ210-170215-
Dall Point to Wales-
413 AM AKDT Tue Oct 16 2018

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

.TODAY...NE winds 35 kt. Seas 14 ft. Rain.
.TONIGHT...N winds 35 kt. Seas 13 ft. 
.WED...N winds 30 kt. Seas 12 ft. 
.WED NIGHT...N winds 30 kt. Seas 11 ft. 
.THU...N winds 25 kt. Seas 9 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...N winds 20 kt. Seas 6 ft. 
.FRI...N winds 25 kt. Seas 8 ft. 
.SAT...N winds 25 kt. Seas 10 ft.  

$$

PKZ215-170215-
Kotzebue Sound-
413 AM AKDT Tue Oct 16 2018

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

.TODAY...NE winds 25 kt. Seas 4 ft subsiding. Freezing rain. 
.TONIGHT...NE winds 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.WED...N winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.WED NIGHT...N winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.THU...NE winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...E winds 15 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.FRI...NE winds 20 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.SAT...NE winds 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.  

$$

PKZ220-170215-
Wales to Cape Thompson-
413 AM AKDT Tue Oct 16 2018

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

.TODAY...NE winds 35 kt. Seas 12 ft. Freezing spray. 
.TONIGHT...N winds 35 kt. Seas 12 ft. 
.WED...N winds 30 kt. Seas 11 ft. 
.WED NIGHT...N winds 25 kt. Seas 11 ft. 
.THU...N winds 20 kt. Seas 9 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...NE winds 20 kt. Seas 5 ft. 
.FRI...N winds 25 kt. Seas 7 ft. 
.SAT...NE winds 30 kt. Seas 11 ft.  

$$

Oct 18
441 
FZAK52 PAFG 162304
CWFWCZ

Coastal Waters Forecast for Northwest Alaska
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
304 PM AKDT Tue Oct 16 2018

Northwestern 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.

PKZ299-171430-
304 PM AKDT Tue Oct 16 2018

.SYNOPSIS FOR NORTHWEST COAST...
A 988 mb low near St Paul Island will weaken to 992 mb and drift 
south and east to be over Bristol Bay Wednesday.

$$

PKZ200-171430-
Norton Sound-
304 PM AKDT Tue Oct 16 2018

.TONIGHT...NE winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.WED...N winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.WED NIGHT...N winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.THU...N winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...NE winds 15 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.FRI...NE winds 25 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.FRI NIGHT...N winds 35 kt. Seas 6 ft. 
.SAT...N winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.SUN...NE winds 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.  

$$

PKZ210-171430-
Dall Point to Wales-
304 PM AKDT Tue Oct 16 2018

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...

.TONIGHT...N winds 35 kt. Seas 13 ft. Rain.
.WED...N winds 35 kt. Seas 12 ft. Rain.
.WED NIGHT...N winds 30 kt. Seas 11 ft. Rain.
.THU...N winds 25 kt. Seas 9 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...N winds 20 kt. Seas 6 ft. 
.FRI...N winds 20 kt. Seas 5 ft. 
.FRI NIGHT...N winds 25 kt. Seas 8 ft. 
.SAT...N winds 25 kt. Seas 10 ft. 
.SUN...NE winds 25 kt. Seas 10 ft.  

$$

PKZ215-171430-
Kotzebue Sound-
304 PM AKDT Tue Oct 16 2018

.TONIGHT...NE winds 10 kt. Seas building to 3 ft. 
.WED...N winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.WED NIGHT...N winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.THU...NE winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...E winds 15 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.FRI...NE winds 15 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.FRI NIGHT...N winds 20 kt. Seas 3 ft. Freezing spray. 
.SAT...NE winds 15 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.SUN...NE winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.  

$$

PKZ220-171430-
Wales to Cape Thompson-
304 PM AKDT Tue Oct 16 2018

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...

.TONIGHT...N winds 35 kt. Seas 12 ft. Freezing spray. 
.WED...N winds 35 kt. Seas 11 ft. Snow and rain. 
.WED NIGHT...N winds 25 kt. Seas 11 ft. 
.THU...N winds 20 kt. Seas 9 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...NE winds 20 kt. Seas 5 ft. 
.FRI...NE winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.FRI NIGHT...N winds 25 kt. Seas 7 ft. 
.SAT...NE winds 30 kt. Seas 11 ft. 
.SUN...NE winds 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.  

$$

CCC Oct 18
867 
FZAK52 PAFG 171125
CWFWCZ

Coastal Waters Forecast for Northwest Alaska
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
325 AM AKDT Wed Oct 17 2018

Northwestern 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.

PKZ299-180200-
325 AM AKDT Wed Oct 17 2018

.SYNOPSIS FOR NORTHWEST COAST...
A 989 mb low 180 nm south of Nunivak Island will drift southeast
to be over Bristol Bay as a 998 mb low by Thursday morning. High
pressure will build over the western Bering Sea through Thursday
morning.

$$

PKZ200-180200-
Norton Sound-
325 AM AKDT Wed Oct 17 2018

.TODAY...N winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. Rain. 
.TONIGHT...N winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.THU...N winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...NE winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.FRI...NE winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.FRI NIGHT...N winds 25 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.SAT...NE winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.SUN...NE winds 25 kt. Seas 4 ft.  

$$

PKZ210-180200-
Dall Point to Wales-
325 AM AKDT Wed Oct 17 2018

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

.TODAY...N winds 35 kt. Seas 12 ft. Rain.
.TONIGHT...N winds 30 kt. Seas 11 ft. 
.THU...N winds 25 kt. Seas 8 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...N winds 25 kt. Seas 7 ft. 
.FRI...NE winds 20 kt. Seas 5 ft. 
.FRI NIGHT...NE winds 20 kt. Seas 5 ft. 
.SAT...NE winds 20 kt. Seas 5 ft. 
.SUN...NE winds 30 kt. Seas 7 ft.  

$$

PKZ215-180200-
Kotzebue Sound-
325 AM AKDT Wed Oct 17 2018

.TODAY...N winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. Snow and rain. 
.TONIGHT...N winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.THU...NE winds 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...NE winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.FRI...NE winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.FRI NIGHT...NE winds 10 kt. Seas 1 foot. 
.SAT...E winds 15 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.SUN...NE winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.  

$$

PKZ220-180200-
Wales to Cape Thompson-
325 AM AKDT Wed Oct 17 2018

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

.TODAY...N winds 30 kt. Seas 11 ft. Rain showers. 
.TONIGHT...N winds 30 kt. Seas 11 ft. 
.THU...N winds 25 kt. Seas 9 ft. Freezing spray. 
.THU NIGHT...NE winds 20 kt. Seas 7 ft. 
.FRI...NE winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.FRI NIGHT...N winds 25 kt. Seas 8 ft. 
.SAT...NE winds 25 kt. Seas 6 ft. 
.SUN...NE winds 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.  

$$

Oct 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 Oct 15, 4:31 AM AKDT, 10 hours 18 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Oct 15, 4:31 AM AKDT, 10 hours 18 minutes before
Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
431 AM AKDT Mon Oct 15 2018

.DISCUSSION...
A more active and wintry weather pattern is expected to develop
over the eastern half of Northern Alaska with multiple wind and
winter related hazards expected. With this forecast package, will
be issuing multiple winter related hazards for freezing rain,
snow, and blowing snow as well as upgrading the wind advisory in
the Alaska Range to a High Wind Warning. Elsewhere across Western
Alaska, unsettled and windy conditions are expected over the next
couple of days. The latest 15/00Z model suite is in good agreement
with the overall synoptic pattern, but differ slightly with the
probability and placement of precipitation across Interior Alaska.
In regards to precipitation amounts and timing, have leaned
heavily on the NAM solutions as they continue to resolve the
chinook/downslope pattern and keep the precipitation out of the
southern Interior.

Aloft, at 500 mb, a 518 dam low currently positioned 150 miles
southwest of Cold Bay will move north into the southern Bering Sea
and Bristol Bay region by this evening and then will remain
quasi-stationary and weaken over the Bristol Bay region through
Wednesday. Upper level ridging extending northwest over Interior
Alaska from a 584 dam ridge center over the eastern Pacific will
slide gradually east into western Canada over the next 24 to 36
hours. In between these two features, strong southerly flow will
redevelop over the Alaska Range and the Interior by this evening
and will into early Wednesday before shifting to the southwest.

At the surface, a 973 mb low 150 miles southwest of Cold Bay will
rotate north into the southern Bering Sea and Bristol Bay region
tonight and then will remain quasi-stationary and weaken to a 999
mb low by Thursday morning. A ridge of high pressure will build
east over eastern Russia Monday. High pressure will persist over
the Arctic for much of the week.

Eastern and Central Interior...Leeside troughing north of the
Alaska Range will strengthen today as strong southerly flow
develops aloft. This will result in south gap winds in the Alaska
Range to increase through this evening. Gap winds will be the
strongest along the Richardson Highway in Isabel Pass where gusts
will peak around 70 mph late this evening into early Tuesday
morning. Gap winds will be weaker along the Parks Highway and in
the vicinity of Delta Junction. Have opted to upgrade the Wind
Advisory to a High Wind Warning for zone 226 given the expected
stronger gusts and kept the Wind Advisory for zone 223 as is. The
strong southerly chinook flow over the Alaska Range will bring
warmer temperatures, higher snow levels, and limit the potential
for precipitation across the southern Interior as a front moves
over the area tonight. To the north of Fairbanks, the front will
bring a mix bag of precipitation tonight through Wednesday.
Between Livengood and the Yukon River, the main precipitation
type will be freezing rain where up to one-tenth of an inch of ice
accumulation is expected. Have decided to convert the existing
winter storm watch for zone 220 to a winter weather advisory for
snow and freezing rain. North of the Yukon River, 4 to 8 inches of
snow accumulation is expected with the highest amounts in the
south upslope areas in the eastern Brooks Range. Have opted to
issue a Winter Weather Advisory for zones 218 and 219. Gusts up to
35 mph are possible over highway summits in zone 219, so blowing
snow and reduced visibility are expected. As the flow becomes
southwest Tuesday, precipitation will develop over the southern
Interior. Initially over the Central Interior precipitation type
will be freezing rain, but as temperatures warm it will change
over to rain. Should see rain taper off south of the Yukon River
by Tuesday evening and then to the north by Wednesday morning.

North Slope and Brooks Range...The next round of snowfall will
develop over the Brooks Range after midnight tonight and then
spread north of the North Slope east of Barrow Tuesday morning.
Over the northeastern Brooks Range, 5 to 7 inches are possible
with the heaviest expected east of the Dalton Highway and have
issued a Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow. Snow amounts along
the Arctic Coast will be between 2 to 6 inches, heaviest closer to
Barter Island. Easterly winds along the coast will increase this
evening becoming sustained 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph. With
fresh snow and gusty east winds, reduced visibility around one
half mile is possible in blowing snow. As such, have opted to
winter weather advisory for snow and blowing snow zones 203 and
204 starting Tuesday afternoon. Conditions will improve over the
eastern North Slope late Wednesday as both winds and snow taper
off. Over the western Arctic Coast and North Slope, snowfall
accumulations will be between 1 and 3 inches with this next round
of snow.

West Coast and Western Interior...As the front associated with a
low moving into Bristol Bay moves north today, rain showers will
spread north over the Yukon Delta and Lower Yukon Valley today,
reaching the Seward Peninsula tonight, and finally over Northwest
Alaska Tuesday morning. An unsettled, showery pattern will persist
over Western Alaska through late Wednesday as the aforementioned
low remains over Bristol Bay. Northeast winds will increase today
as the pressure gradient tightens over the Bering Sea and Bering
Strait. Gusts up to 55 mph are possible over St. Lawrence Island,
Bering Strait, and Point Hope by this evening. Gusty northeast
winds will continue for Point Hope through late Tuesday before
weakening; however, over St. Lawrence Island gusty northeast winds
will persist. At this time, it looks like the northeast wind
direction is not favorable for coastal flooding for the northern
shores of St. Lawrence Island with guidance showing a negative
contribution to storm surge after this evening and may see rough
seas offshore of St. Lawrence Island.

Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...None; however, see West
Coast section above for issues in the shorter term.

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Wind Advisory for AKZ223.

High Wind Warning for AKZ226.

Winter Storm Warning for AKZ206-AKZ220.

Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ203-AKZ204-AKZ218-AKZ219.

Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ240-PKZ245.

Small Craft Advisory for PKZ200-PKZ215-PKZ220-PKZ230-PKZ240-
PKZ245.

Gale Warning for PKZ210-PKZ225.
&&

LTH OCT 18

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Oct 15, 1:58 AM AKDTWinter Weather AdvisoryAFG44 hr
Oct 15, 2:14 AM AKDTHigh Wind WarningAFG41 hr
Oct 15, 2:43 AM AKDTWinter Storm WarningAFG71 hr
Oct 15, 2:43 AM AKDTWinter Weather AdvisoryAFG71 hr
Oct 15, 3:32 AM AKDTGale WarningAFG36 hr
Oct 15, 3:32 AM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFG25 hr
Oct 15, 3:32 AM AKDTHeavy Freezing Spray WarningAFG4 days
Oct 15, 3:33 AM AKDTHeavy Freezing Spray WarningAFG59 hr
Oct 15, 3:37 AM AKDTGale WarningAFG59 hr
Oct 15, 3:37 AM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFG35 hr
Oct 15, 1:39 PM AKDTWinter Weather AdvisoryAFG22 hr
Oct 15, 2:40 PM AKDTGale WarningAFG37 hr
Oct 15, 2:40 PM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFG13 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.