Alert archive / Alaska / Gale Warnings in 2021

Gale Warning 118, NWS Fairbanks, AK

November 2, 2021

NWS Fairbanks, AK issued this gale warning at Nov 2, 2021, 1:20 PM AKDT. It was in force for 15 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
Nov 2, 2021, 1:20 PM AKDT (21:20 UTC)
Expired
Nov 3, 2021, 4:18 AM AKDT
In force
15 hr
Issued by
NWS Fairbanks, AK

The text

As transmitted.

056 
FZAK52 PAFG 022120
CWFWCZ

Coastal Waters Forecast for Northwest Alaska
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
120 PM AKDT Tue Nov 2 2021

Northwestern Alaska Coastal Waters out 100 NM

Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction
expected. Sea forecasts represent the average of the highest one-
third of the combined wind-wave and swell height.

PKZ299-031400-
120 PM AKDT Tue Nov 2 2021

.SYNOPSIS FOR NORTHWEST COAST...
A 990 mb low near Gambell will weaken this evening. Low pressure
over the nearshore waters will merge with low pressure over
mainland Alaska Wed as high pressure builds over Chukotka and
pushes NE across the Chukchi Sea. 

$$

PKZ200-031400-
Norton Sound-
120 PM AKDT Tue Nov 2 2021

...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...E winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. Fog and freezing fog.
Heavy freezing spray. 
.WED...NE winds 10 kt. Seas 3 ft. Freezing fog.
.WED NIGHT...NE winds 15 kt. Seas 2 ft. Freezing spray. 
.THU...N winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft. Freezing spray. 
.THU NIGHT...N winds 10 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.FRI...NW winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. Freezing spray. 
.FRI NIGHT...NW winds 20 kt. Seas 7 ft. Freezing spray. 
.SAT...NW winds 20 kt. Seas 5 ft. 
.SUN...N winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.  

$$

PKZ210-031400-
Dall Point to Wales-
120 PM AKDT Tue Nov 2 2021

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING...

.TONIGHT...SE winds 35 kt becoming N. Strongest winds W of
Gambell. Seas 12 ft. Freezing fog and fog. Freezing spray. 
.WED...N winds 30 kt. Seas 10 ft. Freezing fog. Freezing spray. 
.WED NIGHT...N winds 30 kt. Seas 9 ft. Freezing fog. Freezing
spray. 
.THU...N winds 30 kt. Seas 9 ft. Freezing fog. Heavy freezing
spray. 
.THU NIGHT...N winds 30 kt. Seas 11 ft. Heavy freezing spray. 
.FRI...N winds 35 kt. Seas 10 ft. Heavy freezing spray. 
.FRI NIGHT...NW winds 30 kt. Seas 10 ft. Heavy freezing spray. 
.SAT...W winds 20 kt. Seas 6 ft. 
.SUN...W winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.  

$$

PKZ215-031400-
Kotzebue Sound-
120 PM AKDT Tue Nov 2 2021

...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH EARLY WEDNESDAY
MORNING...
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...E winds 25 kt. Seas 4 ft subsiding. Freezing fog.
Heavy freezing spray. 
.WED...NE winds 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. Freezing fog.
.WED NIGHT...NE winds 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.THU...E winds 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...E winds 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.FRI...N winds 20 kt. Seas 1 foot. Freezing spray. 
.FRI NIGHT...NW winds 15 kt. Seas 2 ft. Freezing spray. 
.SAT...NW winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.SUN...E winds 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.  

$$

PKZ220-031400-
Wales to Cape Thompson-
120 PM AKDT Tue Nov 2 2021

...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH TONIGHT...
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SE winds 25 kt. Seas 5 ft. Freezing fog. Heavy freezing
spray. 
.WED...NE winds 15 kt. Seas 6 ft. Freezing fog. Freezing spray. 
.WED NIGHT...N winds 30 kt. Seas 6 ft. Freezing fog. Freezing
spray. 
.THU...N winds 30 kt. Seas 7 ft. Freezing fog. Freezing spray. 
.THU NIGHT...N winds 30 kt. Seas 8 ft. Freezing spray. 
.FRI...N winds 30 kt. Seas 9 ft. Heavy freezing spray. 
.FRI NIGHT...N winds 30 kt. Seas 9 ft. Heavy freezing spray. 
.SAT...NW winds 20 kt. Seas 6 ft. 
.SUN...W winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.  

$$

SDB Nov 21
1 follow-up statement
614 
FZAK52 PAFG 031218
CWFWCZ

Coastal Waters Forecast for Northwest Alaska
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
418 AM AKDT Wed Nov 3 2021

Northwestern Alaska Coastal Waters out 100 NM

Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction
expected. Sea forecasts represent the average of the highest one-
third of the combined wind-wave and swell height.

PKZ299-040230-
418 AM AKDT Wed Nov 3 2021

.SYNOPSIS FOR NORTHWEST COAST...
a 983 mb low near 80N and the dateline will weaken and move 
northwest. A 989 mb low over Bristol Bay will continue to weaken 
and push south and east into the Northwestern Gulf of Alaska today
and into Thursday. Gusty northerly winds will continue through 
the Bering Strait and through the northern Bering Sea into 
Saturday.

$$

PKZ200-040230-
Norton Sound-
418 AM AKDT Wed Nov 3 2021

.TODAY...E winds 10 kt becoming N. Seas 2 ft. Freezing fog. 
.TONIGHT...N winds 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. Freezing fog. 
.THU...NE winds 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. Freezing fog. 
.THU NIGHT...N winds 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.FRI...NW winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.FRI NIGHT...N winds 30 kt. Seas 6 ft. Freezing spray. 
.SAT...N winds 25 kt. Seas 5 ft. 
.SUN...N winds 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.  

$$

PKZ210-040230-
Dall Point to Wales-
418 AM AKDT Wed Nov 3 2021

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY
MORNING...

.TODAY...NW winds 30 kt. Seas 10 ft. Freezing fog and fog.
Freezing spray. 
.TONIGHT...N winds 30 kt. Seas 10 ft. Freezing fog. Freezing
spray. 
.THU...N winds 30 kt. Seas 10 ft. Freezing fog. Heavy freezing
spray. 
.THU NIGHT...NW winds 35 kt. Seas 10 ft. Snow showers. Heavy
freezing spray. 
.FRI...NW winds 35 kt. Seas 10 ft. Heavy freezing spray. 
.FRI NIGHT...NW winds 35 kt. Seas 11 ft. Heavy freezing spray. 
.SAT...NW winds 35 kt. Seas 9 ft. 
.SUN...N winds 15 kt. Seas 5 ft.  

$$

PKZ215-040230-
Kotzebue Sound-
418 AM AKDT Wed Nov 3 2021

.TODAY...E winds 15 kt becoming NE 5 kt. Seas 3 ft subsiding.
Freezing fog. Heavy freezing spray. 
.TONIGHT...E winds 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.THU...E winds 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...E winds 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.FRI...N winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.FRI NIGHT...N winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.SAT...E winds 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. 
.SUN...N winds 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.  

$$

PKZ220-040230-
Wales to Cape Thompson-
418 AM AKDT Wed Nov 3 2021

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM LATE THIS AFTERNOON
THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY MORNING...

.TODAY...NE winds 15 kt increasing to 30 kt. Seas 4 ft building
to 6 ft. Freezing fog. Freezing spray. 
.TONIGHT...N winds 30 kt. Seas 8 ft. Freezing fog. Heavy freezing
spray. 
.THU...NE winds 30 kt. Seas 8 ft. Freezing fog. Freezing spray. 
.THU NIGHT...N winds 30 kt. Seas 8 ft. Heavy freezing spray. 
.FRI...N winds 35 kt. Seas 8 ft. Heavy freezing spray. 
.FRI NIGHT...N winds 40 kt. Seas 10 ft. Heavy freezing spray. 
.SAT...N winds 30 kt. Seas 8 ft. 
.SUN...E winds 10 kt. Seas 3 ft.  

$$

Nov 21

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this gale 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 gale warning went out at Nov 2, 4:32 AM AKDT, 8 hours 48 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Nov 2, 4:32 AM AKDT, 8 hours 48 minutes before
Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
432 AM AKDT Tue Nov 2 2021

.SYNOPSIS...
A low pressure system in the northern Bering Sea continue to
bring snow and gusty winds to the southern portions of the Seward
Peninsula where a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until
this afternoon. A shortwave moving north over the Alaska Range and
the Central Interior continues to bring snow over the Eastern
Alaska Range where a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect
until this evening. Light snow will continue this morning over the
Central and Eastern Interior.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Models...The 02/00z model suite initialized well against the 00z
surface analysis as well as the upper level data and verified well
against the 06z surface analysis. Model spread in minimal in both
the short term as well as the mid range. Good agreement on system
track strength and location is noted between model families and
from run to run in the extended range.

Aloft at 500 mb...an upper level trough continues over the Western
and Central Bering Sea and over Western Alaska while a strong
upper level ridge continue to the east of Alaska over the
Northwest Territories and the Yukon. The pattern will remain in
place with the trough over the Bering Sea deepening into the
Northern Pacific and the Ridge continuing to hold fast over the
Northwest Territories and Yukon through the end of the week.
Shortwaves will continue to push north through the pattern and
will bring periods of rain and snow to the West Coast and Western
Interior as well as periods of light snow over the northern
portions of the Central and Eastern Interior while drier chinook
influenced conditions influence the southern portions of the
Central and Eastern Interior. Temperatures will remain well above
normal for the Central and Eastern Interior while the west Coast
remains closer to seasonal normals.

On the surface...a 973 mb low near 75 N and along the dateline
will continue to weaken and move to the north and west. An
elongated low pressure system with multiple centers of rotation
stretches from the central Aleutian Island northward through the
Bering Strait and into the southern Chukchi Sea. These low
pressure systems will consolidate over Bristol Bay as a 988 mb low
forms on Wednesday and pushes southeast into the northwestern
Gulf of Alaska. Weak troughing will continue over the Interior
through the end of the week. This will continue the periods of
light snow or flurries as well as continue the mostly cloudy
conditions through the rest of the week. Above temperatures will
continue for the Central and Eastern Interior while more seasonal
temperatures will be found in the Western Interior and the West
Coast.

Arctic Coast and Brooks Range...Weak high will continue to build
over the area today as south flow continues for most of the area.
As the high pressure moves offshore into the Chukchi Sea and
combined with weak low pressure moving north out of the McKenzie
Delta will produce northeast winds along the coast. Winds will
remain light this morning but will increase to 15 to 30 mph during
the day today along the coast. Winds will also increase in the
Eastern Brooks Range passes with south gusts around 25 mph.
Locally blowing snow may impact visibility at times today. Highs
in the 20s, lows in the teens.

West Coast and Western Interior...Low pressure system moving
inland over the West Coast will continue to bring upslope snow
over the southern Seward Peninsula with heavy snow continuing into
this afternoon. A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for Nome
and vicinity through this afternoon. The remainder of the area
will generally be cloudy with some light snow or flurries.
Southeast to south winds do increase to 10 to 25 mph in most
areas, so expect some blowing snow locally, especially in the
Chukchi Sea and Kotzebue Sound area, to impact visibility at
times. Inland areas will see less clouds and much lower chance of
snow through today. Highs in the teens and 20s, except around 30
on St Lawrence Island. Lows in the single digits to the teens.

Central and Eastern Interior...Cloudy with some flurries or light
snow for most areas. A strong push of moisture across the Alaska
Range will produce some heavy snow south of Donnelly Dome through
Isabel Pass through this evening. Winds do pick up near the
passes with gusts around 40 mph so blowing and drifting snow will
be a threat in the area. Winter Weather Advisory remains in
effect for the Eastern Alaska Range. Decreasing chances for snow
by mid day today. Temperatures will be cooling with highs in the
lower 30s and lows in the 20s.

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

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Winter Storm Warning for AKZ211.

Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ226.

Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ200-PKZ215-PKZ220-PKZ230-
PKZ235-PKZ500.

Small Craft Advisory for PKZ200-PKZ210-PKZ215-PKZ220-PKZ225-
PKZ230-PKZ235.

Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ240-PKZ245.
&&

CCC NOV 21

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Nov 2, 3:42 AM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFG10 hr
Nov 2, 3:42 AM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFG47 hr
Nov 2, 3:42 AM AKDTHeavy Freezing Spray WarningAFG4 days
Nov 2, 1:15 PM AKDTGale WarningAFG15 hr
Nov 2, 1:15 PM AKDTHeavy Freezing Spray WarningAFG5 days

Nearby

Gale Warnings in Alaska, 2021Every gale warning in 2021

Sources

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