Alert archive / Alaska / Blizzard Warnings in 2020

Blizzard Warning 23, NWS Fairbanks, AK

December 14, 2020

NWS Fairbanks, AK issued this blizzard warning at Dec 14, 2020, 12:21 PM AKST. It was in force for 17 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
Dec 14, 2020, 12:21 PM AKST (21:21 UTC)
Expired
Dec 15, 2020, 5:03 AM AKST
In force
17 hr
Issued by
NWS Fairbanks, AK

The text

As transmitted.

713 
WWAK41 PAFG 142121
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
1221 PM AKST Mon Dec 14 2020

AKZ201-151500-
/O.UPG.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.000000T0000Z-201215T1500Z/
/O.NEW.PAFG.BZ.W.0023.201214T2121Z-201215T1500Z/
Western Arctic Coast-
Including Wainwright, Atqasuk, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne
1221 PM AKST Mon Dec 14 2020

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions occurring. Travel will be very
  difficult. 

* WHERE...Western Arctic Coast.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM Tuesday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 55 mph will 
  cause whiteout conditions in blowing snow. Significant 
  drifting of the snow is likely.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are
expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds
and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout
conditions, making travel extremely difficult. 

$$

AKZ204-151500-
/O.EXB.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.000000T0000Z-201215T1500Z/
Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast-
Including Kaktovik and Flaxman Island
1221 PM AKST Mon Dec 14 2020

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Strong winds and blowing snow with low visibility
  expected. Plan on difficult travel conditions. East winds 
  gusting to 45 mph will cause blowing snow with visibility one 
  half mile or less at times. Large snow drifts will form.

* WHERE...Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM Tuesday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

$$

AKZ203-151700-
/O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.000000T0000Z-201215T1800Z/
Central Beaufort Sea Coast-
Including Nuiqsut, Prudhoe Bay, Alpine, Deadhorse, and Kuparuk
1221 PM AKST Mon Dec 14 2020

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM AKST
TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Strong winds and blowing snow with low visibility 
  occuring. Plan on difficult travel conditions. East winds 
  gusting to 55 mph will cause blowing snow with visibility one 
  half mile or less at times. Large snow drifts will form.

* WHERE...Central Beaufort Sea Coast.

* WHEN...Until 9 AM Tuesday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

$$
3 follow-up statements
706 
WWAK41 PAFG 142300
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
200 PM AKST Mon Dec 14 2020

AKZ201-151500-
/O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0023.000000T0000Z-201215T1500Z/
Western Arctic Coast-
Including Wainwright, Atqasuk, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne
200 PM AKST Mon Dec 14 2020

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions occurring. Travel will be very 
  difficult.

* WHERE...Western Arctic Coast.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM Tuesday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 55 mph will 
  cause whiteout conditions in blowing snow. Significant 
  drifting of the snow is likely.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are
expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds
and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout
conditions, making travel extremely difficult.

$$

AKZ206-150900-
/O.EXB.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.000000T0000Z-201215T0900Z/
Northeastern Brooks Range-
Including Anaktuvuk Pass, Atigun Pass, Galbraith Lake, Sagwon, 
and Franklin Bluffs
200 PM AKST Mon Dec 14 2020

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST
TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Strong winds and blowing snow with low visibility 
  expected. Plan on difficult travel conditions. East winds 
  gusting to 45 mph will cause blowing snow with visibility one 
  half mile or less at times. Large snow drifts will form.

* WHERE...Along the Dalton Highway north of Sagwon.

* WHEN...Until midnight.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Winter Weather Advisory for blowing snow means that
visibilities will be limited due to strong winds blowing snow
around. Use caution when traveling, especially in open areas.

$$

AKZ203-151700-
/O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.000000T0000Z-201215T1800Z/
Central Beaufort Sea Coast-
Including Nuiqsut, Prudhoe Bay, Alpine, Deadhorse, and Kuparuk
200 PM AKST Mon Dec 14 2020

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM AKST
TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Strong winds and blowing snow with low visibility 
  occuring. Plan on difficult travel conditions. East winds 
  gusting to 55 mph will cause blowing snow with visibility one 
  half mile or less at times. Large snow drifts will form.

* WHERE...Central Beaufort Sea Coast.

* WHEN...Until 9 AM Tuesday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

$$

AKZ204-151500-
/O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.000000T0000Z-201215T1500Z/
Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast-
Including Kaktovik and Flaxman Island
200 PM AKST Mon Dec 14 2020

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

* WHAT...Strong winds and blowing snow with low visibility 
  expected. Plan on difficult travel conditions. East winds 
  gusting to 45 mph will cause blowing snow with visibility one 
  half mile or less at times. Large snow drifts will form.

* WHERE...Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM Tuesday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Winter Weather Advisory for blowing snow means that
visibilities will be limited due to strong winds blowing snow
around. Use caution when traveling, especially in open areas.

$$
623 
WWAK41 PAFG 150705
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
1005 PM AKST Mon Dec 14 2020


AKZ201-151500-
/O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0023.000000T0000Z-201215T1500Z/
Western Arctic Coast-
Including Wainwright, Atqasuk, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne
1005 PM AKST Mon Dec 14 2020

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions occurring. Travel will be very 
  difficult.

* WHERE...Western Arctic Coast.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM Tuesday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 55 mph will 
  cause whiteout conditions in blowing snow. Significant 
  drifting of the snow is likely.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are
expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds
and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout
conditions, making travel extremely difficult. The latest road
conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

$$

AKZ206-151500-
/O.EXT.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.000000T0000Z-201215T1500Z/
Northeastern Brooks Range-
Including Anaktuvuk Pass, Atigun Pass, Galbraith Lake, Sagwon, 
and Franklin Bluffs
1005 PM AKST Mon Dec 14 2020

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST
TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Strong winds and blowing snow with low visibility 
  expected. Plan on difficult travel conditions. East winds 
  gusting to 45 mph will cause blowing snow with visibility one 
  half mile or less at times. Large snow drifts will form.

* WHERE...Along the Dalton Highway north of Sagwon.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM Tuesday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 30 mph will 
  cause areas of blowing and drifting snow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Winter Weather Advisory for blowing snow means periods of
blowing snow will cause travel difficulties. The latest road
conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

$$

AKZ203-151515-
/O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.000000T0000Z-201215T1800Z/
Central Beaufort Sea Coast-
Including Nuiqsut, Prudhoe Bay, Alpine, Deadhorse, and Kuparuk
1005 PM AKST Mon Dec 14 2020

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM AKST
TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Strong winds and blowing snow with low visibility 
  occuring. Plan on difficult travel conditions. East winds 
  gusting to 55 mph will cause blowing snow with visibility one 
  half mile or less at times. Large snow drifts will form.

* WHERE...Central Beaufort Sea Coast.

* WHEN...Until 9 AM Tuesday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 50 mph will 
  cause areas of blowing and drifting snow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Winter Weather Advisory for blowing snow means periods of
blowing snow will cause travel difficulties. The latest road
conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

$$

AKZ204-151500-
/O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.000000T0000Z-201215T1500Z/
Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast-
Including Kaktovik and Flaxman Island
1005 PM AKST Mon Dec 14 2020

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

* WHAT...Strong winds and blowing snow with low visibility 
  expected. Plan on difficult travel conditions. East winds 
  gusting to 45 mph will cause blowing snow with visibility one 
  half mile or less at times. Large snow drifts will form.

* WHERE...Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM Tuesday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 25 mph will 
  cause areas of blowing and drifting snow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Winter Weather Advisory for blowing snow means periods of
blowing snow will cause travel difficulties. The latest road
conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

$$
112 
WWAK41 PAFG 151403
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
503 AM AKST Tue Dec 15 2020

AKZ201-152100-
/O.CAN.PAFG.BZ.W.0023.000000T0000Z-201215T1500Z/
/O.NEW.PAFG.WW.Y.0117.201215T1500Z-201215T2100Z/
Western Arctic Coast-
Including Wainwright, Atqasuk, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne
503 AM AKST Tue Dec 15 2020

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON AKST TODAY...
...BLIZZARD WARNING IS CANCELLED...

* WHAT...Blowing snow expected. Plan on areas of poor visibilities  
  to create difficult travel conditions at times. Winds gusting as
  high as 40 mph will cause areas of blowing and drifting snow.

* WHERE...Western Arctic Coast.

* WHEN...6 AM to noon today.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 40 mph will 
  cause areas of blowing and drifting snow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

$$

AKZ203-151515-
/O.CAN.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.000000T0000Z-201215T1800Z/
Central Beaufort Sea Coast-
Including Nuiqsut, Prudhoe Bay, Alpine, Deadhorse, and Kuparuk
503 AM AKST Tue Dec 15 2020

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

$$

AKZ204-206-151515-
/O.CAN.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.000000T0000Z-201215T1500Z/
Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast-Northeastern Brooks Range-
Including Kaktovik, Flaxman Island, Anaktuvuk Pass, Atigun Pass, 
Galbraith Lake, Sagwon, and Franklin Bluffs
503 AM AKST Tue Dec 15 2020

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this blizzard 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 blizzard warning went out at Dec 14, 4:56 AM AKST, 7 hours 25 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 14, 4:56 AM AKST, 7 hours 25 minutes before
Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
456 AM AKST Mon Dec 14 2020

.SYNOPSIS...
Strong east winds across northern Alaska continuing this morning,
causing continued travel difficulties across the Interior. Winds
will slowly weaken across the Interior tonight, resulting in
decreased impacts by tomorrow morning. Light snow has moved into
the Western Interior from Kaltag east to Central this morning and
expected to continue into Tuesday morning. Colder temperatures
will filter into the Interior from the east going into the end of
the week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Aloft, troughing continues to encompass northern Alaska this
morning, while a strong area of ridging holds on in the Arctic.
Progressing into Tuesday, a closed low in the Bering will move
over the West Coast, while a strong closed low over the Canadian
Arctic moves west into the Northwest Territories. Advancing into
Wednesday, troughing along the Bering Sea continues, with a
portion of the strong upper low over Canada reaching the Alaskan
border. The Arctic will continue to be dominated by a strong area
of ridging through the short term.

At the surface, a strong high pressure in the Arctic will persist
in the same area of the strong ridge aloft through the short term.
This surface high will meander north of 80N by the middle of the
week. In the Bering Sea, a broad area of low pressure will persist
through the short term as well. For this morning, a strong
pressure gradient persists across northern Alaska as a result of
these features, leading to strong east winds across the Interior,
West Coast and North Slope. These winds are expected to subside
going into tomorrow, before strengthening again as a stronger
surface low pressure get situated in the southern Bering Sea by
Wednesday night.

A weather front has set up across the Interior this morning,
resulting in increasing coverage of snow from Kaltag east to
Central. This front will remain stationary across the Interior
through tonight. This front will slowly dissipate over the next
couple of days, with most of northern Alaska being precipitation
free by Thursday.

Central and Eastern Interior...
Strong east winds have resulted in a number of Winter Weather
Advisories and a Winter Storm Warning in effect for today. Due to
increasing snow coverage, more extensive visibility issues are
expected with these strong winds. Most areas will receive 1 to 2
inches of snow, with localized areas receiving up to 7 inches
through tonight. As the snow dissipates, colder temperatures will
begin to move into the Interior and be well below normal by
Wednesday night.

North Slope and Brooks Range...
The Western Arctic Coast continues to have blowing snow issues
this morning. These issues are beginning to impact areas further
east across the Arctic Coast as winds will increase today. Strong
east winds will persist through the middle of the week across the
North Slope. Temperatures will be trending down through the short
term and become near normal by Thursday.

West Coast and Western Interior...
Strong winds continue for most areas, with High Wind Warnings in
effect for Eastern Norton Sound and Point Hope this morning. Snow
has begun to fall in the Western Interior and areas around Norton
Sound. Total snow amounts of 3 to 5 inches are possible, with
higher amounts in the Nulato Hills up to 7 inches. Temperatures
will remain near normal through the middle of the week.

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

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ201-AKZ216-AKZ217-AKZ218-AKZ220-
AKZ221-AKZ222.

Winter Storm Warning for AKZ219.

High Wind Warning for AKZ207-AKZ212.

Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ210-PKZ220-PKZ225.

Gale Warning for PKZ200-PKZ210-PKZ220-PKZ225-PKZ230.

Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ215-PKZ235-PKZ240.
&&

DEC 20

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 14, 9:30 AM AKSTWind AdvisoryAFG12 hr
Dec 14, 2:42 PM AKSTBrisk Wind AdvisoryAFG4 days
Dec 14, 2:42 PM AKSTGale WarningAFG61 hr

Nearby

Blizzard Warnings in Alaska, 2020Every blizzard warning in 2020

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text.