Winter Storm Warning 48, NWS Fairbanks, AK

Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
506 AM AKST Tue Dec 31 2019

.SYNOPSIS...
Pressure gradient over the western part of the state remains
strong through Wednesday, and winds are producing cold Wind
Chills over much of the West coast. Another wave of moisture will
move north into the Western Interior with snow spreading over the
Western Interior Today through Wednesday morning. The Central
Interior could see some snow late Wednesday evening into Thursday.
Turning colder across the Interior later in the weeek.

&&

.DISCUSSION...Aloft, at the 500 mb level,Southerly flow
will persist over the Interior through Today. The long wave
trough over the west coast will shift to the east and a closed
low will form just north of Kodiak Island The southerly flow will
bring in increasingly warmer 850mb temperatures to much of the
Interior with temperatures ranging from near 0c to -10C around the
Interior while -15 to -30C air will remain over the Brooks Range.
The flow will turn more southeasterly over the Interior by
Wednesday and colder air will filter across the Interior later in
the week.

Central and Eastern Interior:
Gap winds through the passes in the Alaska Range are expected to
continue through Tuesday with gusts to 60 mph. Winter weather
advisories are out for zones 223 and 226 through this afternoon.
Warmer than normal temperatures are expected to continue through
mid- week before becoming cold again to close out the week.

West Coast and Western Interior:
Northerly flow will continue through Wedneday across the area, and
that combined with only partly cloudy skies will keep temperatures
below average. On St Lawrence Island, lake effect like snowfall
will continue as cold air moves over the remaining open water in
the area. This will bring about 1 to 2 inches of snow per day to
St Lawrence Island through the middle of the week. Winds will be
strong all along the west coast with gusts to over 55 mph.
Blizzard conditions have ended for Kivalina, downgraded to a
winter weather advisory for blowing snow and low wind chills.
Close to blizzard conditions for Wales, have left the blizzard
warning out for zone 213 through this afternoon.

A wave of moisture will produce snow today through Wednesday
morning from Mcgrath to Bettles to Arctic village. The heaviest
amount of snow will be south of Ruby towards Mcgrath, expecting 8
to 16 inches. From Ruby north to Bettles, 4 to 8 inches expected.
Winter weather advisories are in effect for these areas.

North Slope and Brooks Range:
Cold temperatures will persist across the area through Wednesday,
with slightly colder air moving in behind that. Snowfall amounts
of around an inch are expected each day through Tuesday east of
Utqiagvik, with a stronger system bringing 2 to 4 inches of snow
from Nuiqsut east on Wednesday.

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

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Wind Chill Advisory for AKZ208-AKZ209-AKZ210-AKZ214-AKZ217.

Blizzard Warning for AKZ213.

Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ206-AKZ207-AKZ212-AKZ215-AKZ216-
AKZ218-AKZ219-AKZ221-AKZ226-AKZ227.

Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ210.

Gale Warning for PKZ210-PKZ215-PKZ220.

Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ200-PKZ215-PKZ220-PKZ225.
&&

DEC 19

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
152 PM AKST TUE DEC 31 2019

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

0150 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 65 S FAIRBANKS          63.89N 147.84W
12/31/2019  E35 MPH          DENALI             AK   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

JAC