Alert archive / Alaska / Heavy Freezing Spray Warnings in 2021

Heavy Freezing Spray Warning 13, NWS Fairbanks, AK

October 18, 2021

NWS Fairbanks, AK issued this heavy freezing spray warning at Oct 18, 2021, 4:33 AM AKDT. It was in force for 4 days. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Oct 18, 2021, 4:33 AM AKDT (12:33 UTC)
Expired
Oct 22, 2021, 4:45 AM AKDT
In force
4 days
Issued by
NWS Fairbanks, AK

The text

As transmitted.

902 
FZAK69 PAFG 181233
OFFAFG

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
433 AM AKDT Mon Oct 18 2021

Offshore Waters Forecast for the US Arctic Waters

Sea forecasts represent an average of the highest one-third of
the combined wind wave and swell height. Individual waves may be
twice as high.

PKZ599-190200-
433 AM AKDT Mon Oct 18 2021

.SYNOPSIS FOR ARCTIC WATERS...
A 1006 mb low is in MacKenzie Bay, with troughing extending NW to
a 1006 mb low 400 nm NW of Utqiagvik. A weather front extends 
from the low SE to Prudhoe Bay this morning. Low pressure will be
pushed N as a 1014 mb high moves near Utqiagvik Mon evening. The
high pressure will move offshore as strong low pressure moves over
mainland Alaska. A strong pressure gradient will develop across 
the area Wed.

$$

PKZ500-190200-
Western US Arctic Offshore-
433 AM AKDT Mon Oct 18 2021

...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING IN EFFECT MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH 
EARLY MONDAY MORNING...

.TODAY...SW winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft. Freezing spray. 
.TONIGHT...E winds 30 kt with gusts to around 45 kt. Seas 7 ft.
Heavy freezing spray. 
.TUE...E winds 35 kt with gusts to around 50 kt. Seas 11 ft.
Heavy freezing spray. 
.TUE NIGHT...NE winds 35 kt with gusts to around 50 kt. Seas
13 ft. Heavy freezing spray. 
.WED...NE winds 30 kt. Seas 11 ft. 
.THU...E winds 15 kt. Seas 5 ft. 
.FRI...N winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.  

$$

PKZ505-190200-
Central US Arctic Offshore-
433 AM AKDT Mon Oct 18 2021

No forecast as area is mostly ice-covered.

$$

PKZ510-190200-
Eastern US Arctic Offshore-
433 AM AKDT Mon Oct 18 2021

No forecast as area is mostly ice-covered.

$$

SDB Oct 21
7 follow-up statements
324 
FZAK69 PAFG 182312
OFFAFG

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
312 PM AKDT Mon Oct 18 2021

Offshore Waters Forecast for the US Arctic Waters

Sea forecasts represent an average of the highest one-third of
the combined wind wave and swell height. Individual waves may be
twice as high.

PKZ599-191230-
312 PM AKDT Mon Oct 18 2021

.SYNOPSIS FOR ARCTIC WATERS...
Low pressure east of Banks Island will be pushed north and east as
a high pressure system moves near Utqiagvik this evening. A strong
pressure gradient will develop Tuesday night and Wednesday across
the coastal waters especially east of Point Barrow.

$$

PKZ500-191230-
Western US Arctic Offshore-
312 PM AKDT Mon Oct 18 2021

...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY
AFTERNOON...

.TONIGHT...E winds 30 kt with gusts to around 45 kt. Seas 7 ft.
Heavy freezing spray. 
.TUE...E winds 30 kt with gusts to around 50 kt. Seas 11 ft.
Heavy freezing spray. 
.TUE NIGHT...NE winds 35 kt with gusts to around 50 kt. Seas
13 ft. Heavy freezing spray. 
.WED...NE winds 30 kt with gusts to around 45 kt. Seas 11 ft.
Snow. Heavy freezing spray. 
.WED NIGHT...NE winds 30 kt. Seas 7 ft. Snow. Heavy freezing
spray. 
.THU...E winds 20 kt. Seas 5 ft. 
.FRI...N winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.SAT...N winds 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.  

$$

PKZ505-191230-
Central US Arctic Offshore-
312 PM AKDT Mon Oct 18 2021

No forecast as area is mostly ice-covered.

$$

PKZ510-191230-
Eastern US Arctic Offshore-
312 PM AKDT Mon Oct 18 2021

No forecast as area is mostly ice-covered.

$$

Oct 21
404 
FZAK69 PAFG 191211
OFFAFG

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
411 AM AKDT Tue Oct 19 2021

Offshore Waters Forecast for the US Arctic Waters

Sea forecasts represent an average of the highest one-third of
the combined wind wave and swell height. Individual waves may be
twice as high.

PKZ599-200200-
411 AM AKDT Tue Oct 19 2021

.SYNOPSIS FOR ARCTIC WATERS...
Weak high pressure across the area will be pushed N as low 
pressure moves over the Arctic Coast this morning and the offshore
waters Wed morning. A strong pressure gradient will develop S of 
75N, then slowly lift N of the offshore waters Thu afternoon. 

$$

PKZ500-200200-
Western US Arctic Offshore-
411 AM AKDT Tue Oct 19 2021

...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH EARLY WEDNESDAY
MORNING...
...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM LATE THIS MORNING THROUGH EARLY
WEDNESDAY MORNING...

.TODAY...E winds 30 kt with gusts to around 50 kt. Seas 11 ft.
Heavy freezing spray. 
.TONIGHT...NE winds 35 kt with gusts to around 50 kt. Seas 13 ft.
Heavy freezing spray. 
.WED...NE winds 30 kt with gusts to around 45 kt. Seas 11 ft.
Heavy freezing spray. 
.WED NIGHT...NE winds 30 kt. Seas 7 ft. Snow. Heavy freezing
spray. 
.THU...E winds 20 kt. Seas 5 ft. 
.FRI...SW winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.SAT...N winds 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.  

$$

PKZ505-200200-
Central US Arctic Offshore-
411 AM AKDT Tue Oct 19 2021

No forecast as area is mostly ice-covered.

$$

PKZ510-200200-
Eastern US Arctic Offshore-
411 AM AKDT Tue Oct 19 2021

No forecast as area is mostly ice-covered.

$$

SDB Oct 21
036 
FZAK69 PAFG 192206
OFFAFG

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
206 PM AKDT Tue Oct 19 2021

Offshore Waters Forecast for the US Arctic Waters

Sea forecasts represent an average of the highest one-third of
the combined wind wave and swell height. Individual waves may be
twice as high.

PKZ599-201215-
206 PM AKDT Tue Oct 19 2021

.SYNOPSIS FOR ARCTIC WATERS...
Weak high pressure centered near Banks Island will slowly push
north into the offshore waters Wednesday morning. A strong pressure
gradient will develop S of 75N, then slowly lift N of the offshore
waters Thu afternoon.

$$

PKZ500-201215-
Western US Arctic Offshore-
206 PM AKDT Tue Oct 19 2021

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING...
...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY
AFTERNOON...

.TONIGHT...NE winds 35 kt with gusts to around 50 kt. Seas 13 ft.
Heavy freezing spray. 
.WED...NE winds 30 kt with gusts to around 45 kt. Seas 12 ft.
Blowing snow in the afternoon. Heavy freezing spray. 
.WED NIGHT...NE winds 30 kt with gusts to around 45 kt. Seas
9 ft. Blowing snow. Snow. Heavy freezing spray. 
.THU...E winds 25 kt. Seas 7 ft. Blowing snow. Heavy freezing
spray. 
.THU NIGHT...E winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.FRI...SE winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.SAT...N winds 25 kt. Seas 5 ft. 
.SUN...N winds 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.  

$$

PKZ505-201215-
Central US Arctic Offshore-
206 PM AKDT Tue Oct 19 2021

No forecast as area is mostly ice-covered.

$$

PKZ510-201215-
Eastern US Arctic Offshore-
206 PM AKDT Tue Oct 19 2021

No forecast as area is mostly ice-covered.

$$

Oct 21
023 
FZAK69 PAFG 201159
OFFAFG

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
359 AM AKDT Wed Oct 20 2021

Offshore Waters Forecast for the US Arctic Waters

Sea forecasts represent an average of the highest one-third of
the combined wind wave and swell height. Individual waves may be
twice as high.

PKZ599-210200-
359 AM AKDT Wed Oct 20 2021

.SYNOPSIS FOR ARCTIC WATERS...
A strong pressure gradient extends from the Arctic Coast to 75N
and will slowly lift to the N today and tonight to lie between 73N
and 77N. The strong gradient will continue to lift to the N Thu. 

$$

PKZ500-210200-
Western US Arctic Offshore-
359 AM AKDT Wed Oct 20 2021

...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY
MORNING...

.TODAY...NE winds 30 kt with gusts to around 45 kt. Seas 12 ft.
Blowing snow in the afternoon. Heavy freezing spray. 
.TONIGHT...E winds 30 kt. Seas 9 ft. Snow in the evening. Blowing
snow through the night. Heavy freezing spray. 
.THU...E winds 25 kt. Seas 7 ft. Blowing snow. Heavy freezing
spray. 
.THU NIGHT...E winds 15 kt. Seas 4 ft. Heavy freezing spray. 
.FRI...E winds 20 kt. Seas 6 ft. 
.SAT...N winds 25 kt. Seas 6 ft. 
.SUN...N winds 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.  

$$

PKZ505-210200-
Central US Arctic Offshore-
359 AM AKDT Wed Oct 20 2021

No forecast as area is mostly ice-covered.

$$

PKZ510-210200-
Eastern US Arctic Offshore-
359 AM AKDT Wed Oct 20 2021

No forecast as area is mostly ice-covered.

$$

SDB Oct 21
461 
FZAK69 PAFG 202209
OFFAFG

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
209 PM AKDT Wed Oct 20 2021

Offshore Waters Forecast for the US Arctic Waters

Sea forecasts represent an average of the highest one-third of
the combined wind wave and swell height. Individual waves may be
twice as high.

PKZ599-211230-
209 PM AKDT Wed Oct 20 2021

.SYNOPSIS FOR ARCTIC WATERS...
A 983 mb low near St Lawrence Island will continue to weaken and
move north through the Bering Strait this evening and dissipate 
on Thursday. A ridge of high pressure extends west of from Banks 
Island to the Dateline.

$$

PKZ500-211230-
Western US Arctic Offshore-
209 PM AKDT Wed Oct 20 2021

...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY
AFTERNOON...

.TONIGHT...E winds 30 kt with gusts to around 45 kt. Seas 9 ft.
Snow in the evening. Blowing snow through the night. Heavy
freezing spray. 
.THU...E winds 25 kt. Seas 6 ft. Blowing snow in the morning.
Heavy freezing spray. 
.THU NIGHT...E winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. Heavy freezing spray. 
.FRI...N winds 10 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.FRI NIGHT...N winds 20 kt. Seas 6 ft. Freezing spray. 
.SAT...N winds 25 kt. Seas 7 ft. 
.SUN...N winds 20 kt. Seas 5 ft. 
.MON...N winds 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.  

$$

PKZ505-211230-
Central US Arctic Offshore-
209 PM AKDT Wed Oct 20 2021

No forecast as area is mostly ice-covered.

$$

PKZ510-211230-
Eastern US Arctic Offshore-
209 PM AKDT Wed Oct 20 2021

No forecast as area is mostly ice-covered.

$$

Oct 21
695 
FZAK69 PAFG 211209
OFFAFG

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
409 AM AKDT Thu Oct 21 2021

Offshore Waters Forecast for the US Arctic Waters

Sea forecasts represent an average of the highest one-third of
the combined wind wave and swell height. Individual waves may be
twice as high.

PKZ599-220200-
409 AM AKDT Thu Oct 21 2021

.SYNOPSIS FOR ARCTIC WATERS...
A ridge of high pressure lies along 80N with a 1022 mb high 600 nm
NW of Utqiagvik. Low pressure over the Arctic Coast will move over
the nearshore waters today, and the offshore waters Fri as the
high pressure moves N.


$$

PKZ500-220200-
Western US Arctic Offshore-
409 AM AKDT Thu Oct 21 2021

...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...

.TODAY...E winds 25 kt. Seas 6 ft. Blowing snow in the morning.
Heavy freezing spray. 
.TONIGHT...E winds 20 kt becoming NE 10 kt after midnight. Seas
4 ft. Heavy freezing spray. 
.FRI...NE winds 10 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.FRI NIGHT...N winds 20 kt. Seas 6 ft. Heavy freezing spray. 
.SAT...N winds 25 kt. Seas 7 ft. 
.SUN...NW winds 25 kt. Seas 5 ft. 
.MON...N winds 20 kt. Seas 3 ft.  

$$

PKZ505-220200-
Central US Arctic Offshore-
409 AM AKDT Thu Oct 21 2021

No forecast as area is mostly ice-covered.

$$

PKZ510-220200-
Eastern US Arctic Offshore-
409 AM AKDT Thu Oct 21 2021

No forecast as area is mostly ice-covered.

$$

SDB Oct 21
815 
FZAK69 PAFG 212219
OFFAFG

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
219 PM AKDT Thu Oct 21 2021

Offshore Waters Forecast for the US Arctic Waters

Sea forecasts represent an average of the highest one-third of
the combined wind wave and swell height. Individual waves may be
twice as high.

PKZ599-221245-
219 PM AKDT Thu Oct 21 2021

.SYNOPSIS FOR ARCTIC WATERS...
A ridge of high pressure lies along 80N with a 1024 mb high in the
high Arctic. Low pressure along the Arctic Coast this afternoon 
will move north of the coast tonight and continue north as the
high pressure moves north. 

$$

PKZ500-221245-
Western US Arctic Offshore-
219 PM AKDT Thu Oct 21 2021

...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...

.TONIGHT...E winds 20 kt becoming NE 10 kt after midnight. Seas
4 ft. Heavy freezing spray. 
.FRI...N winds 10 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.FRI NIGHT...N winds 20 kt. Seas 6 ft. Heavy freezing spray. 
.SAT...N winds 25 kt. Seas 7 ft. Heavy freezing spray. 
.SAT NIGHT...N winds 25 kt. Seas 6 ft. Heavy freezing spray. 
.SUN...N winds 20 kt. Seas 6 ft. 
.MON...N winds 20 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.TUE...N winds 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.  

$$

PKZ505-221245-
Central US Arctic Offshore-
219 PM AKDT Thu Oct 21 2021

No forecast as area is mostly ice-covered.

$$

PKZ510-221245-
Eastern US Arctic Offshore-
219 PM AKDT Thu Oct 21 2021

No forecast as area is mostly ice-covered.

$$

Oct 21

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this heavy freezing spray 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 heavy freezing spray warning went out at Oct 17, 1:50 PM AKDT, 14 hours 43 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Oct 17, 1:50 PM AKDT, 14 hours 43 minutes before
Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
150 PM AKDT Sun Oct 17 2021

.SYNOPSIS...
Tranquil weather pattern over most of Northern Alaska with mostly
cloudy to partly cloudy skies found over much of the Interior and
partly cloudy skies found over much of the West Coast. The North
Slope Coastal areas continue to receive snow squalls which has
brought down visibility to one quarter mile at times this
afternoon in Utqiagvik and elsewhere along the coast.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
The 12z model suite initialized well against the 12 surface
analysis and upper air observations. The 12z model suite also
verified well against the 18z surface analysis. Models spread
both between model families as well as between model run to model
run remains limited well Into the mid range and is reasonable in
the extended range.

Aloft at 500 mb...A broad upper level longwave trough remains over
Northern Alaska along with a sharp secondary upper level low that
is located over the northern pacific and Gulf of Alaska while a
ridge is located over the Central and Eastern Bering Sea. This
ridge will push east over the Eastern Bering Sea and West Coast as
well as the Western Interior into Tuesday. Another upper level low
will push east over the Western and Northern Bering Sea late
Tuesday and Wednesday as the ridge builds over the Central and
Eastern Interior Wednesday. A ridge, trough, ridge pattern will
result. Temperatures are expected to remain seasonal over mush of
Northern Alaska early in the week and then gradual warming as
southerly flow with the building ridge builds over Alaska.

On the surface...A 976 mb low currently located over Kodiak
Island will slowly strengthen then weaken as it remains in place
in the northern Gulf of Alaska through Tuesday. A 976 mb low over
the Central Bering Sea will move northeast and weaken to around
986 mb low as it pushes through the Bering Strait on Wednesday.
A third low pressure system, the remnants of Tropical Storm
Namtheun will push north and east into the Central Aleutian
Islands on Thursday and push generally into the Eastern Bering
Sea, however there remains much uncertainty on the track and
strength of this system.

Arctic Coast and Brooks Range...Onshore flow from Wainwright
west, and offshore flow to the east. Winds 5 to 15 mph. Brief
heavy snow squalls continue to bring visibility down to one
quarter mile at times to the west of Utqiagvik. Generally cloudy
with flurries today. Patchy fog dense fog. High pressure moving
over the area Monday will bring some breaks. Along the coast highs
will be in the 20s, with lows in the teens. Inland and in the
Brooks Range highs in the lower teens and lows in the single
digits above.

West Coast and Western Interior...Partly cloudy skies as high
pressure moves over most of the area for Monday. A strong weather
front will move to the West Coast Tuesday with snow moving up the
coast and into the inland areas. Gusty northerly winds will
continue to diminish this evening with winds around 25 mph for
the coast with light and variable winds inland. Highs in the mid
20s to mid 30s, with lows in the teens to mid 20s.

Central and Eastern Interior...Pressure gradient across the Alaska
Range continues to diminish as do the winds in the foothills and
near the Alaska Range Passes. A Tanana Valley Jet will continue
into the this evening before waning this evening. High clouds will
remain tonight and tomorrow over much of the Interior. High
pressure is building slowly over the Interior this evening and
overnight, with winds over the Alsaka Range diminishing this
evening. Lows 10 to 20 above with highs in the mid 20s to mid 30s.

Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...A strong low moving
across the Northern Bering Sea Monday will produce elevated surf
on the south side of St Lawrence Island Monday night, and the
south facing coastlines of the Seward Peninsula and Bering Strait
beginning early Tuesday morning into Tuesday evening.

Extended forecast for days 4 to 7...A low moving out of the
Central Bering Sea will bring snow to the west coast Tuesday with
no significant accumulations. Interior areas will under high
pressure with light winds and breaks in the clouds. Easterly flow
in the Arctic will prevail along with low clouds and some patchy
fog. A warming trend across the area with temperatures slightly
above climatological normals.

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Small Craft Advisory for PKZ200.

Gale Warning for PKZ210.
&&

CCC OCT 21

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Oct 18, 4:23 AM AKDT, 10 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
423 AM AKDT Mon Oct 18 2021

AKZ211-213-214-190000-
Southern Seward Peninsula Coast-
St Lawrence Island and Bering Strait Coast-Yukon Delta-
Including Nome, White Mountain, Golovin, Gambell, Savoonga,
Brevig Mission, Teller, Wales, Diomede, Mountain Village,
Emmonak, Alakanuk, Kotlik, Pilot Station, St Marys, Scammon Bay,
Marshall, Nunam Iqua, and Pitkas Point
423 AM AKDT Mon Oct 18 2021

...Elevated Surf south of the Bering Strait...

Elevated surf with wave runup of 1 to 2 feet above the normal
high tide line is expected Monday evening through at least
Wednesday.

Outer coastal areas with south and southwest facing coastlines
from the Bering Strait south and the south side of St Lawrence
Island will see the highest surf.

A strong low pressure system moving east across the Bering Sea
will produce the storm surge as it moves to St Lawrence Island by
Tuesday evening.

Residents should move boats and other property well above the
normal high tide line in advance of the storm.

For the latest information go to www.weather.gov/fairbanks.

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Oct 18, 4:41 AM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFG57 hr
Oct 18, 4:41 AM AKDTHeavy Freezing Spray WarningAFG71 hr
Oct 18, 4:49 AM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFG47 hr
Oct 18, 4:49 AM AKDTHeavy Freezing Spray WarningAFG33 hr
Oct 18, 3:03 PM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFG23 hr
Oct 18, 3:12 PM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFG61 hr

Nearby

Heavy Freezing Spray Warnings in Alaska, 2021Every heavy freezing spray 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.