Blizzard Warning 9, NWS Fairbanks, AK

207 
WWAK41 PAFG 191203
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
403 AM AKDT Thu Mar 19 2020

AKZ203-200200-
/O.NEW.PAFG.BZ.W.0010.200320T1200Z-200321T0800Z/
Central Beaufort Sea Coast-
Including Nuiqsut, Prudhoe Bay, Alpine, Deadhorse, and Kuparuk
403 AM AKDT Thu Mar 19 2020

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM FRIDAY TO MIDNIGHT AKDT
FRIDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Travel will be very 
  difficult to impossible.

* WHERE...Central Beaufort Sea Coast.

* WHEN...4 AM Friday to midnight Friday night.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 50 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.

$$

AKZ204-200200-
/O.NEW.PAFG.BZ.W.0010.200320T1800Z-200321T1500Z/
Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast-
Including Kaktovik and Flaxman Island
403 AM AKDT Thu Mar 19 2020

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 7 AM AKDT
SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Travel will be very 
  difficult to impossible.

* WHERE...Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast.

* WHEN...10 AM Friday to 7 AM Saturday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 50 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.

$$

AKZ201-200200-
/O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0009.000000T0000Z-200320T0800Z/
Western Arctic Coast-
Including Wainwright, Atqasuk, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne
403 AM AKDT Thu Mar 19 2020

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKDT
TONIGHT...

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

* WHERE...Western Arctic Coast.

* WHEN...Until midnight.

* 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.

$$

101 
WWAK41 PAFG 192249
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
249 PM AKDT Thu Mar 19 2020

AKZ201-200800-
/O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0009.000000T0000Z-200320T0800Z/
Western Arctic Coast-
Including Wainwright, Atqasuk, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne
249 PM AKDT Thu Mar 19 2020

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKDT
TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions occurring. Snow accumulations of an
  inch or less. Travel will be very difficult to impossible.

* WHERE...Western Arctic Coast.

* WHEN...Until midnight.

* 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. 

$$

AKZ203-201500-
/O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0010.200320T1200Z-200321T0800Z/
Central Beaufort Sea Coast-
Including Nuiqsut, Prudhoe Bay, Alpine, Deadhorse, and Kuparuk
249 PM AKDT Thu Mar 19 2020

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM FRIDAY TO
MIDNIGHT AKDT FRIDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Snow accumulations of an
  inch or less. Travel will be very difficult to impossible.

* WHERE...Central Beaufort Sea Coast.

* WHEN...4 AM Friday to midnight Friday night.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 50 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.

$$

AKZ204-201500-
/O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0010.200320T1800Z-200321T1500Z/
Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast-
Including Kaktovik and Flaxman Island
249 PM AKDT Thu Mar 19 2020

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 7 AM
AKDT SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Snow accumulations of an
  inch or less. Travel will be very 
  difficult to impossible.

* WHERE...Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast.

* WHEN...10 AM Friday to 7 AM Saturday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 50 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. 

$$

511 
WWAK41 PAFG 200647
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
1047 PM AKDT Thu Mar 19 2020

AKZ201-200800-
/O.CAN.PAFG.BZ.W.0009.000000T0000Z-200320T0800Z/
Western Arctic Coast-
Including Wainwright, Atqasuk, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne
1047 PM AKDT Thu Mar 19 2020

...BLIZZARD WARNING IS CANCELLED...

$$

AKZ203-201500-
/O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0010.200320T1200Z-200321T0800Z/
Central Beaufort Sea Coast-
Including Nuiqsut, Prudhoe Bay, Alpine, Deadhorse, and Kuparuk
1047 PM AKDT Thu Mar 19 2020

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM FRIDAY TO
MIDNIGHT AKDT FRIDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Snow accumulations of an 
  inch or less. Travel will be very difficult to impossible.

* WHERE...Central Beaufort Sea Coast.

* WHEN...4 AM Friday to midnight Friday night.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 50 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.

$$

AKZ204-201500-
/O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0010.200320T1800Z-200321T1500Z/
Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast-
Including Kaktovik and Flaxman Island
1047 PM AKDT Thu Mar 19 2020

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 7 AM
AKDT SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Snow accumulations of an 
  inch or less. Travel will be very difficult to impossible.

* WHERE...Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast.

* WHEN...10 AM Friday to 7 AM Saturday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 50 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.

$$

Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
254 PM AKDT Wed Mar 18 2020

.SYNOPSIS...
The active weather pattern continues as the parade of coastal
storms move inland, bringing a menagerie of winter weather to the
Northland. One low is currently exiting into the Yukon Territory,
and this will bring an end to snow and blowing snow to the North
Slope and Eastern Interior by late this afternoon. The next
coastal storm is quickly moving from the Bering Sea up to the West
Coast, and that will bring rapidly deteriorating conditions to the
West Coast and Western Interior tonight. This front will move
inland and bring widespread light snow and some areas of blowing
snow to the Interior Thursday through Friday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

Analysis and Upper Levels...
The upper level height field consists of an elongated upper level
trough moving east across the Eastern Interior and Eastern North
Slope. Sharp shortwave ridging is moving into the Central Interior
out ahead of a vigorous warm front moving east toward the West
Coast. This front is associated with an occluded 967 hpa surface
low over the Bering Sea just east of the Kamchatka Peninsula. The
tightest pressure gradient exists over the North Slope where winds
are gusting from the Southwest into the 35-50 MPH range. Southeast
winds are already beginning to pick up across the Saint Lawrence
Island and along the exposed Capes across the West Coast ahead of
the next vigorous warm front.

Model Discussion...
The numerical weather models are in excellent agreement with the
storm track and timing of the next two systems expected to move
across the Northland. There has been little changes and forecast
confidence is rather high for the next three days in the pattern
and expected impacts.

North Slope and Brooks Range...
The main story across the region will be continued windy and well
above average weather conditions for the area as a series of
storms track into the Arctic. The general pattern will favor heavy
snow along the Southern Brooks Range, although areas north of the
Brooks Range will only see sporadic snow showers through Friday.
The strongest front will move across the North Slope on Friday and
Friday evening which will be accompanied by snow and blowing snow,
once again. Temperatures will fall back closer to normal, but
still above average, heading into the weekend.

West Coast and Western Interior...
A powerful warm front is churning eastward across the Bering Sea
and will begin to impact the coastline early this evening,
spreading inland by tonight. A rather substantial moisture plume
can be seen on satellite, and in conjunction with warm air which
will exceed 0C aloft (around 4000-6000 feet), some mixed freezing
rain will be possible along the southwest Coast and across parts
of the southwest Interior. However, most of the precipitation
will fall in the form of heavy snow with upslope favored locations
across the mountains of the Seward Peninsula and Baird Mountains
seeing in excess of a foot of snow. Interior locations will see a
widespread 3-5" with some localized 4-7". Expect strong southerly
gales along the coast in conjunction with snow, so areas of
widespread areas of blowing snow are likely with some localized
blizzard conditions along the coastline.

Central and Eastern Interior...
Snow will come to an end (along with any highway summit blowing
snow) by this evening as the upper trough responsible moves east
into the Yukon and ridging aloft builds in. The next major system
to impact the region will move in Thursday afternoon and will
quickly move east Thursday night. This will bring more widespread
snow along with much stronger southwest winds as cold air
advection moves across the Northland. What this means is snow
accumulations will be accompanied by gusty winds from the
southwest Thursday night and Friday which should favor regions of
blowing and drifting snow. Vertical mixing and a tight gradient
should also help mix winds down into valleys, including the
Fairbanks region and other normally sheltered valleys. Gusty winds
and snow showers will persist through Friday night before yet
another low with accumulating snow moves in Saturday.

Extended Forecast Days 3-7...
Beginning the extended period forecast on Saturday evening, there
will be yet another low tracking across the Northland with snow
across most of the interior. This low will exit on Saturday night
with a series of low pressure systems tracking across the region
well into next week. This means the very active pattern will
continue with multiple shots of accumulating snow for almost all
of the Northland. Stay tuned...

Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...There is no major storm
expected for this period, although elevated water/ice levels are
possible behind a strong low moving inland Thursday night and
Friday.

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...

Wind Advisory for AKZ226.

Winter Storm Warning for AKZ207-AKZ208-AKZ209-AKZ211-AKZ213-
AKZ217.

Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ204-AKZ212-AKZ214-AKZ215-AKZ216-
AKZ218-AKZ219-AKZ220-AKZ221.

Gale Warning for PKZ200-PKZ210-PKZ215-PKZ220-PKZ225-PKZ230.

Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ235-PKZ240-PKZ245.

&&

AHSENMACHER MAR 20