Alert archive / Alaska / Winter Storm Warnings in 2018

Winter Storm Warning 3, NWS Fairbanks, AK

February 9, 2018

NWS Fairbanks, AK issued this winter storm warning at Feb 9, 2018, 2:56 AM AKST. It took effect at Feb 9, 2018, 6:00 AM AKST. It was in force for 21 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
Feb 9, 2018, 2:56 AM AKST (11:56 UTC)
In effect from
Feb 9, 2018, 6:00 AM AKST
Expired
Feb 10, 2018, 2:53 AM AKST
In force
21 hr
Issued by
NWS Fairbanks, AK

The text

As transmitted.

771 
WWAK42 PAFG 091156
WSWWCZ

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
256 AM AKST Fri Feb 9 2018


AKZ214-100300-
/O.NEW.PAFG.WS.W.0003.180209T1500Z-180210T1500Z/
Yukon Delta-
Including Mountain Village, Emmonak, Alakanuk, Kotlik, 
Pilot Station, St Marys, Scammon Bay, Marshall, Nunam Iqua, 
and Pitkas Point
256 AM AKST Fri Feb 9 2018

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 AM
AKST SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation expected. Travel will be very
  difficult to impossible. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 
  inches, with localized amounts up to 10 inches, and ice 
  accumulations of a light glaze are expected. Blowing snow 
  reducing visibility to one half mile or less at times.

* WHERE...Yukon Delta.

* WHEN...6 AM today to 6 AM Saturday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 45 mph will cause
  areas of blowing and drifting snow. Blowing snow reducing
  visibility to one half mile or less at times.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet
and ice are expected. This will make travel very hazardous or
impossible. Strong winds are also possible.

$$

AKZ213-100300-
/O.NEW.PAFG.WW.Y.0023.180209T1500Z-180210T1500Z/
St Lawrence Island and Bering Strait Coast-
Including Gambell, Savoonga, Brevig Mission, Teller, Wales, 
and Diomede
256 AM AKST Fri Feb 9 2018

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THIS MORNING TO
6 AM AKST SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Snow and blowing snow expected. Plan on difficult travel
  conditions. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches are
  expected. Blowing snow reducing visibility to one half mile or
  less at times. 

* WHERE...St Lawrence Island and Bering Strait Coast.

* WHEN...6 AM today to 6 AM Saturday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 35 mph will cause
  areas of blowing and drifting snow. Blowing snow reducing 
  visibility to one half mile or less at times.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Winter Weather Advisory for snow and blowing snow means periods
of snow and blowing snow will cause travel difficulties.

$$

AKZ215-100300-
/O.NEW.PAFG.WW.Y.0023.180209T1500Z-180210T1500Z/
Lower Yukon Valley-
Including Russian Mission, Grayling, Holy Cross, Shageluk, Anvik,
and Flat
256 AM AKST Fri Feb 9 2018

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THIS MORNING TO
6 AM AKST SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Plan on difficult travel conditions. 
  Total snow accumulations of 4 to 6 inches, with localized 
  amounts up to 8 inches, are expected. Heaviest snow 
  accumulations south and west of Anvik.

* WHERE...Lower Yukon Valley, heaviest south and west of Anvik.

* WHEN...6 AM today to 6 AM Saturday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Look for reduced visibilities at times.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means periods of snow will
cause travel difficulties.

$$
2 follow-up statements
499 
WWAK42 PAFG 100005
WSWWCZ

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
305 PM AKST Fri Feb 9 2018

AKZ214-101500-
/O.CON.PAFG.WS.W.0003.000000T0000Z-180210T1500Z/
Yukon Delta-
Including Mountain Village, Emmonak, Alakanuk, Kotlik, 
Pilot Station, St Marys, Scammon Bay, Marshall, Nunam Iqua, 
and Pitkas Point
305 PM AKST Fri Feb 9 2018

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST
SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow occurring, may mix with freezing rain. Plan on
  difficult travel conditions. Additional snow accumulations of 2
  to 4 inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze are 
  expected.

* WHERE...Yukon Delta.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM Saturday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 45 mph may cause 
  areas of blowing and drifting snow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet
and ice are occurring. This will make travel very hazardous or
impossible. Strong winds are also possible.

$$

AKZ213-101500-
/O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0023.000000T0000Z-180210T1500Z/
St Lawrence Island and Bering Strait Coast-
Including Gambell, Savoonga, Brevig Mission, Teller, Wales, 
and Diomede
305 PM AKST Fri Feb 9 2018

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST
SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Snow occurring. Plan on difficult travel conditions. 
  Additional snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches, with localized 
  amounts up to 8 inches, are expected.

* WHERE...St Lawrence Island and Bering Strait Coast.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM Saturday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Look for reduced visibilities at times.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means periods of snow will
cause travel difficulties.

$$

AKZ215-101500-
/O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0023.000000T0000Z-180210T1500Z/
Lower Yukon Valley-
Including Russian Mission, Grayling, Holy Cross, Shageluk, Anvik,
and Flat
305 PM AKST Fri Feb 9 2018

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST
SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Snow occurring. May mix with freezing rain. Plan on
  difficult travel conditions. Additional snow accumulations of 
  up to two inches are expected.

* WHERE...Lower Yukon Valley.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM Saturday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Look for reduced visibilities at times.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means periods of snow will
cause travel difficulties.

$$
742 
WWAK42 PAFG 101153
WSWWCZ

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
253 AM AKST Sat Feb 10 2018


AKZ214-101300-
/O.CAN.PAFG.WS.W.0003.000000T0000Z-180210T1500Z/
Yukon Delta-
Including Mountain Village, Emmonak, Alakanuk, Kotlik, 
Pilot Station, St Marys, Scammon Bay, Marshall, Nunam Iqua, 
and Pitkas Point
253 AM AKST Sat Feb 10 2018

...WINTER STORM WARNING IS CANCELLED...



$$

AKZ213-215-101300-
/O.CAN.PAFG.WW.Y.0023.000000T0000Z-180210T1500Z/
St Lawrence Island and Bering Strait Coast-Lower Yukon Valley-
Including Gambell, Savoonga, Brevig Mission, Teller, Wales, 
Diomede, Russian Mission, Grayling, Holy Cross, Shageluk, Anvik, 
and Flat
253 AM AKST Sat Feb 10 2018

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...



$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this winter storm 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 winter storm warning went out at Feb 9, 1:37 AM AKST, 1 hour 19 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 9, 1:37 AM AKST, 1 hour 19 minutes before
Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
137 AM AKST Fri Feb 9 2018

.DISCUSSION...
A transition to a more active pattern over northern Alaska will
begin over the weekend and will bring active weather next week.

Aloft at 500 mb the strong ridge which has been locked over
northern Alaska for the last week will weaken and retreat to the
east through the weekend. The ridge axis will be located along a
Wainwright to Cordova line Friday and along a Point Barrow to
Northway line Saturday and will move into the Yukon Sunday.

A strong shortwave will move northeast out of the southern Bering
Sea over Bristol Bay Saturday afternoon and will continue to move
north and east further weakening the upper level Ridge on Sunday.
The shortwave located along a Nunivak Island to Kodiak Island
Sunday Morning will move north and east to be along a Nome to
Fairbanks to Northway line Sunday evening. The shortwave will
continue to move north and east over the northeast Brooks Range
Monday Morning.

Another and stronger shortwave moves north and east out of
Bristol Bay Monday morning and will effectively flatten the
persistent upper level ridge and will bring a moist southwest flow
over much of western and central Alaska. Ahead of this shortwave
southerly flow aloft will produce gap winds and weak chinook
conditions through the Alaska Range passes and along the northern
foothills of the Alaska Range. The weak chinook conditions will
limit available moisture over the central interior to the east of
Manley Hot Springs as well as the eastern interior, however the
lower YK Delta, Seward Peninsula, western Brooks Range and
western interior will pick up light snow Saturday in the 1 to 2
inches range and more snow on Sunday in the 2 to 4 inch range
Sunday. Forecasted soundings continue to indicate the possibility
for mixed precipitation in the lower YK Delta both on Friday and
Saturday.

As the upper level wave pushes east Sunday night and Monday
morning the weak chinook over the central and eastern interior
will collapse and light snow will develop over these areas.

The 00z model suite initialized well against the 00z surface
analysis and verified well against the 06z surface analysis. Run
to run continuity remains good as does spread between model
families in the short range. The models continue to struggle with
breaking down the Omega Block and transitioning to a more in the
progressive pattern however spread in the mid range was better
today than in previous runs. Model spread in the long range is
considerable.

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

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ200-PKZ210-PKZ215-PKZ220-PKZ230.
&&

CCC FEB 18

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 9, 2:56 AM AKSTWinter Weather AdvisoryAFG24 hr
Feb 9, 3:54 AM AKSTBrisk Wind AdvisoryAFG24 hr
Feb 9, 3:54 AM AKSTBrisk Wind AdvisoryAFG35 hr
Feb 9, 4:09 AM AKSTWind AdvisoryAFG21 hr

Nearby

Winter Storm Warnings in Alaska, 2018Every winter storm 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.