Alert archive / Alaska / Blizzard Warnings in 2020
Blizzard Warning 23, NWS Fairbanks, AK
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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 14, 9:30 AM AKST | Wind Advisory | AFG | 12 hr | |
| Dec 14, 2:42 PM AKST | Brisk Wind Advisory | AFG | 4 days | |
| Dec 14, 2:42 PM AKST | Gale Warning | AFG | 61 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.