Brisk Wind Advisory 268, NWS Fairbanks, AK

Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
639 AM AKST Fri Dec 31 2021

.SYNOPSIS...
As temperatures trend down across northern Alaska for the New Year,
wind chill issues are more of a factor, especially higher terrain
in the Interior along the Dalton, Elliott, and Steese highways.
Strong northerly gap flow will allow wind chill issues to persist
in the Brooks and Alaska Range, with the Alaska Range expected to
have blowing snow issues in addition south of the passes into
Saturday. Bitter cold temperatures in the 30s and 40s below zero
expected to settle into the Interior by Saturday night and lasting
through early next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
A strong upper level ridge will build across the Bering Sea over
the next couple of days, resulting in a cold winter pattern for
northern Alaska through the weekend. A strong 500 dm upper low
will dig into the Gulf of Alaska by Saturday evening, ushering in
very cold Arctic air. This Arctic airmass will push south today,
with -30C and colder 850 mb temperatures reaching the Fairbanks
area by Saturday. This cold airmass looks to persist across
northern Alaska going into next week, marking a prolonged cold
outbreak and a lack of significant winter storm activity.

Central and Eastern Interior...
Winds are expected to increase across higher terrain as the
pressure gradient increases due to strong surface high pressure
building in from the north and surface low pressure persisting in
the Gulf of Alaska through the weekend. Colder temperatures
filtering in from the north will result in wind chill issues
across the area over the next several days. A weather front will
move in from the southeast this afternoon, bringing accumulating
snow primarily from Fairbanks south and east, with accumulations 1
to 3 inches, with localized amounts up to 5 inches in the Alaska
Range, expected through tomorrow. Temperatures will reach into
the 30s and 40s below zero by Saturday night and continue through
Monday night.

North Slope and Brooks Range...
Bitter cold temperatures in place will continue as an Arctic
trough dominates the area through the weekend. Strong surface
high pressure will build across the Arctic Plains through the
weekend, resulting in westerly flow and blowing snow to develop
across the Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast today and last through
Sunday morning.

West Coast and Western Interior...
Light snow encompasses portions of the Yukon Delta and the Lower
Yukon Valleys this morning as a weather front gradually moves
eastward today. Cold temperatures and strong northerly winds are
causing wind chill issues for areas along the West Coast from the
Chukchi Sea Coast through the Bering Strait this morning. Expect
these conditions to continue today before winds begin to decrease
by tonight. Temperatures expected to remain well below normal
going through the weekend.

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

Extended Days 4 to 7...The overall weather pattern with a strong
ridge out west will persist through the most of next week,
resulting in a low potential for any significant winter storms
across the forecast area during this period.

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Wind Chill Advisory for AKZ207-AKZ213.

Wind Chill Warning for AKZ206-AKZ218.

Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ204-AKZ219-AKZ220-AKZ221-AKZ222-
AKZ223-AKZ224-AKZ225-AKZ226.

Gale Warning for PKZ210.

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

DEC 21