Wind Chill Advisory 14, NWS Fairbanks, AK

Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
320 PM AKST Tue Feb 13 2018

.DISCUSSION...

Two shortwaves will drive much of the states weather through
Thursday. One shortwave is moving across the eastern Interior
this afternoon while a second shortwave will move across the west
coast then push inland on Wednesday and Thursday. Ridging will
build over the west coast Wednesday into Thursday. Models are in
good agreement in the short term but begin to diverge over the
weekend on placement and intensity of another low pressure system
approaching the west coast.

Surface...
A weather front associated with low moving north across eastern
Russia will move north across the Bering Sea this evening and
into the Southern Chukchi Sea tonight. High pressure will build
over the west coast Wednesday into Thursday.

West coast...A weather front is currently bringing snow, gusty
winds and blowing snow to the west coast. Snow will spread north
along the coast during the day on Tuesday and into the western
Interior Tuesday night. Locally heavy snow is possible Tuesday
afternoon into Tuesday night along the southern Seward Peninsula
coast. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for zone 211 for 6 to 9
inches of snow accumulation. High winds and snow have produced
blizzard conditions along the Bering strait. The winter weather
advisory has been upgraded to a blizzard warning for zone 213.
Wales has seen gusts to 65 mph this afternoon with heavy snow
reducing visibility to near zero. Winds will slowly decrease
overnight tonight. Blizzard warnings also out for zone 207 and
209. Snow and blowing snow will spread northward tonight. Upslope
areas of the western brooks range could pick up 6 to 10 inches
before the snow tapers off Wednesday evening. Winter storm
warnings are in effect for zones 208 217 and 216. Heaviest snow
expected north of Galena. Snow will slowly taper off Wednesday
afternoon. High pressure will build over the west coast Wednesday
afternoon into Thursday.

Interior...The first round of snow is winding down this afternoon.
Snowfall amounts ranged from 3 inches in Fairbanks to 6 inches
east of town. Clouds and snow has mixed down some warmer air and
temperatures across the middle Tanana Valley have warmed up to the
around 30 above at valley level. Gusty winds have also mixed down
to the surface as well. Westerly winds are gusting up to 28 mph
at the Fairbanks airport earlier this morning and this afternoon.
Winds should diminish some by 6 pm. The second round of snow will
develop overnight tonight into Wednesday. Have opted to extend
the winter weather advisories for this next shot of snow. Winter
wx advisories are out for zones 219 220 221 222 and 224 through
Wednesday night. Expecting similar amounts of 3 to 6 inches. The
southern interior will see lesser amounts with this next shot.
Have cancelled 223 and 225 and 226.

North Slope and Brooks Range: A weather front will spread snow
from west to east tonight through Wednesday night. Snowfall
amounts for areas north of the Brooks range as this system passes
through will generally be in the 2 to 3 inch range. The pressure
gradient across the eastern Brooks Range will tighten up tonight
as a trough develops just north of the range. As the gradient
tighten up, southerly gap winds will develop tonight and will
continue through late afternoon on Wednesday.

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

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Winter Storm Warning for AKZ208-AKZ211-AKZ216-AKZ217.

Blizzard Warning for AKZ207-AKZ209-AKZ213.

Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ212-AKZ214-AKZ215-AKZ219-AKZ220-
AKZ221-AKZ222-AKZ224.

Gale Warning for PKZ220.

Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ200-PKZ210-PKZ215-PKZ225-PKZ230-
PKZ235-PKZ240-PKZ245.
&&

JK FEB 18