Winter Storm Watch 16, NWS Fairbanks, AK

068 
WWAK42 PAFG 102124
WSWWCZ

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
124 PM AKDT Sat Apr 10 2021

AKZ217-111700-
/O.UPG.PAFG.WS.A.0016.210411T1700Z-210412T2100Z/
/O.EXB.PAFG.WS.W.0013.210411T1200Z-210412T2100Z/
Upper Kobuk and Noatak Valleys-
Including Ambler, Shungnak, and Kobuk
124 PM AKDT Sat Apr 10 2021

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM SUNDAY TO 1 PM AKDT
MONDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow and blowing snow expected. Plan on difficult
  travel conditions. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches,
  with localized amounts up to 11 inches over higher terrain, are
  expected
.
* WHERE...Upper Kobuk and Noatak Valleys.

* WHEN...4 AM Sunday to 1 PM Monday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 35 mph will 
  cause areas of blowing and drifting snow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Winter Storm Warning for snow and blowing snow means severe
winter weather conditions are expected. This will make travel
very difficult or impossible.

$$

AKZ216-111700-
/O.EXT.PAFG.WS.W.0013.210411T0800Z-210412T1500Z/
Lower Koyukuk and Middle Yukon Valleys-
Including Galena, Nulato, Huslia, Kaltag, Ruby, and Koyukuk
124 PM AKDT Sat Apr 10 2021

...WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO
7 AM AKDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow and blowing snow expected. Travel will be 
  very difficult to impossible. Total snow accumulations of 7 to 
  12 inches, with localized amounts up to 18 inches in the 
  higher terrain, are expected.

* WHERE...Lower Koyukuk and Middle Yukon Valleys.

* WHEN...Midnight to 7 AM Monday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 30 mph will 
  cause areas of blowing and drifting snow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Winter Storm Warning for snow and blowing snow means severe
winter weather conditions are expected. This will make travel
very difficult or impossible.

$$

AKZ213-111700-
/O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0023.000000T0000Z-210412T1200Z/
St Lawrence Island and Bering Strait Coast-
Including Gambell, Savoonga, Brevig Mission, Teller, Wales, 
and Diomede
124 PM AKDT Sat Apr 10 2021

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM AKDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions occurring. Travel will be very 
  difficult to impossible. Damage to power lines is possible. 
  Additional snow accumulations of 4 to 7 inches, are expected.

* WHERE...St Lawrence Island and Bering Strait Coast.

* WHEN...Until 4 AM Monday.

* 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.

$$

AKZ214-111700-
/O.CON.PAFG.WS.W.0013.000000T0000Z-210411T2100Z/
Yukon Delta-
Including Mountain Village, Emmonak, Alakanuk, Kotlik, 
Pilot Station, St Marys, Scammon Bay, Marshall, Nunam Iqua, 
and Pitkas Point
124 PM AKDT Sat Apr 10 2021

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM AKDT
SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow and blowing snow occurring. Travel will be 
  very difficult to impossible. Additional snow accumulations of 
  4 to 8 inches, are expected.

* WHERE...Yukon Delta.

* WHEN...Until 1 PM Sunday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 45 mph will 
  cause areas of blowing and drifting snow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Winter Storm Warning for snow and blowing snow means severe
winter weather conditions are occurring. This will make travel
very difficult or impossible.

$$

AKZ211-111700-
/O.CON.PAFG.WS.W.0013.210411T0800Z-210412T2100Z/
Southern Seward Peninsula Coast-
Including Nome, White Mountain, and Golovin
124 PM AKDT Sat Apr 10 2021

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT
TO 1 PM AKDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow and blowing snow expected. Travel will be 
  very difficult to impossible. Total snow accumulations of 7 to 
  10 inches, with localized amounts up to 13 inches, are 
  expected. Visibility will be reduced to one half mile or less 
  at times in snow and blowing snow.

* WHERE...Southern Seward Peninsula Coast.

* WHEN...Midnight to 1 PM Monday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 35 mph will 
  cause areas of blowing and drifting snow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Winter Storm Warning for snow and blowing snow means severe
winter weather conditions are expected. This will make travel
very difficult or impossible.

$$

AKZ215-111700-
/O.CON.PAFG.WS.W.0013.210411T0500Z-210412T1500Z/
Lower Yukon Valley-
Including Russian Mission, Grayling, Holy Cross, Shageluk, Anvik,
and Flat
124 PM AKDT Sat Apr 10 2021

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING
TO 7 AM AKDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Travel will be very difficult to 
  impossible. Total snow accumulations of 7 to 11 inches, with 
  localized amounts up to 21 inches in the Nulato Hills, are 
  expected.

* WHERE...Lower Yukon Valley.

* WHEN...9 PM today to 7 AM Monday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 30 mph will 
  cause areas of blowing and drifting snow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Winter Storm Warning for snow and blowing snow means severe
winter weather conditions are expected. This will make travel
very difficult or impossible.

$$

AKZ208-111700-
/O.EXB.PAFG.WW.Y.0075.210411T1200Z-210412T1500Z/
Lower Kobuk and Noatak Valleys-
Including Noatak, Kiana, and Red Dog Mine
124 PM AKDT Sat Apr 10 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM SUNDAY TO 7 AM
AKDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Snow and blowing snow expected. Plan on difficult travel
  conditions. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches expected.
  Visibility will be reduced to one half mile or less at times in
  snow and blowing snow.

* WHERE...Lower Kobuk and Noatak Valleys.

* WHEN...4 AM Sunday to 7 AM Monday.

* 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 snow and blowing snow means periods
of snow and blowing snow will cause travel difficulties.

$$

AKZ207-111700-
/O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0075.210411T1400Z-210412T1500Z/
Chukchi Sea Coast-
Including Point Hope, Shishmaref, Kivalina, and Espenberg
124 PM AKDT Sat Apr 10 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM SUNDAY TO
7 AM AKDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Snow and blowing snow expected. Plan on difficult 
  travel conditions. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches, 
  with localized amounts up to 5 inches, are expected. 
  Visibility will be reduced to one half mile or less at times 
  in snow and blowing snow.

* WHERE...Chukchi Sea Coast.

* WHEN...6 AM Sunday to 7 AM Monday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 45 mph will cause
  areas of blowing and drifting snow. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS  ACTIONS...

A Winter Weather Advisory for snow and blowing snow means periods
of snow and blowing snow will cause travel difficulties.

$$

AKZ209-111700-
/O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0075.210411T1400Z-210412T1500Z/
Baldwin Peninsula and Selawik Valley-
Including Kotzebue, Selawik, and Noorvik
124 PM AKDT Sat Apr 10 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM SUNDAY TO
7 AM AKDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Snow and blowing snow expected. Plan on difficult 
  travel conditions. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches, 
  with localized amounts up to 6 inches, are expected. 
  Visibility will be reduced to one half mile or less at times 
  in snow and blowing snow.

* WHERE...Baldwin Peninsula and Selawik Valley.

* WHEN...6 AM Sunday to 7 AM Monday.

* 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 snow and blowing snow means periods
of snow and blowing snow will cause travel difficulties.

$$

AKZ210-111700-
/O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0075.210411T1100Z-210412T2100Z/
Northern and Interior Seward Peninsula-
Including Buckland, Deering, Candle, Council, Haycock, 
Pilgrim Springs, Serpentine Hot Springs, and Taylor
124 PM AKDT Sat Apr 10 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM SUNDAY TO
1 PM AKDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Snow and blowing snow expected. Travel will be very 
  difficult to impossible. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 7 
  inches, with localized amounts up to 18 inches in the higher 
  terrain south of Buckland and Deering, are expected. 
  Visibility will be reduced to one half mile or less at times 
  in snow and blowing snow.

* WHERE...Northern and Interior Seward Peninsula.

* WHEN...3 AM Sunday to 1 PM Monday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 35 mph will cause
  areas of blowing and drifting snow. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Winter Weather Advisory for snow and blowing snow means periods
of snow and blowing snow will cause travel difficulties.

$$

AKZ212-111700-
/O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0075.000000T0000Z-210412T0200Z/
Eastern Norton Sound and Nulato Hills-
Including Unalakleet, Stebbins, St Michael, Elim, Koyuk, 
and Shaktoolik
124 PM AKDT Sat Apr 10 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKDT
SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Snow and blowing snow expected. Plan on difficult 
  travel conditions. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 7 inches 
  are expected.

* WHERE...Eastern Norton Sound and Nulato Hills.

* WHEN...Until 6 PM Sunday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting as high as 40 mph will cause
  areas of blowing and drifting snow reducing the visibility to
  one half mile or less at times. Heavier snow will push north 
  into the area tonight.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Winter Weather Advisory for snow and blowing snow means periods
of snow and blowing snow will cause travel difficulties.

$$

Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
342 PM AKDT Fri Apr 9 2021

.SYNOPSIS...
Unseasonably cold temperatures are expected again tonight over
much of northern Alaska, with several locations at risk for
breaking low temperature records. A warming trend in temperatures
will begin on Sunday. A weather system will bring strong winds,
snow and blowing snow to the Yukon Delta and St Lawrence Island on
Saturday. A second system will affect the much of the West Coast
and Western Interior Saturday night into Sunday bringing the
potential for heavy snow along with gusty winds and blowing snow.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
The 9/12 UTC model suite initialized the forecast well when
compared to observational data. The models are in good agreement
out through the weekend.

Aloft at 500 mb, a 506 dam low is in place just east of
Fairbanks. An upper level ridge stretches from Bristol Bay to the
Chukotsk Peninsula. 850 mb temperatures at Fairbanks have dropped
into the 30s below under the cold trough aloft which would be
chilly for January let alone April (as seen on the special 18 UTC
sounding we did this morning). The trough will continue to dig
south and east tonight and Saturday while the ridge pushes east
over western Alaska on Saturday. An upper level low deepens to 513
dam and pushes northeast into the Central Bering Sea Sunday. The
low will push east through the Bering Sea Saturday night and
Sunday. As the low pushes east, southerly flow will develop over
much of the forecast area on Sunday. Southerly flow looks to
persist over much of the forecast area for much of next week.

At the surface, much of northern Alaskas is under high pressure. A
996 mb low is in the Gulf of Alaska south of Yakutat. This low
will continue to slide south tonight, but the resulting pressure
gradient may bing gusty northwesterly winds to the southeast
Interior tonight. A 984 mb low will move into the western Bering
Sea tonight. A front associated with this low will begin to affect
the West Coast tonight. The low will push to the east Through
Sunday, reaching near Nunivak Island by Sunday afternoon. Sunday
night, the low will push north to St. Lawrence Island where weaken
in place through Monday.

Central and Eastern Interior...
Very cold temperatures are expected for tonight, with many
locations seeing lows in the negative 20s or 30s or even colder.
Some locations have the potential to break records. There will be
some issues with very cold wind chill values tonight, especially
in the Alaska Range. We will stat to see a warming trend in
temperatures will start beginning on Saturday night, with
temperatures pushing closer to seasonal normal values by Monday.
There is the potential for strong southerly gap winds in the
Alaska Range Sunday into Monday. We opted to issue a high wind
watch for the eastern Alaska Range in anticipation of these winds.

North Slope and Brooks Range...
Well below seasonal normal temperatures are expected tonight into
Saturday night. Both nights we expect to see low temperatures in
the 20s to 30s below. Gusty southeasterly winds will continue to
bring wind chill values around 50 below along the Beaufort Sea
Coast this evening. Winds along the coast will die down late this
evening as high pressure builds over the area. Gradual warming is
expected to begin on Sunday. Winds along the coast west of
Utqiagvik will begin to increase for Sunday night and Monday
bringing the potential for blowing snow.

West Coast and Western Interior... Winds will increase tonight as
a front pushes into the area. Strong winds, snow and blowing snow
is expected as the front arrives resulting in blizzard conditions
for St. Lawrence Island and potentially for the Yukon Delta as
well. A second front will push over the area Saturday night. This
will bring the potential for heavy snow to the West Coast (from
the Seward Peninsula south) as well as along the Yukon River (from
Ruby west). 5 to 10 inches of snow is expected from Saturday
evening through late Sunday night. We opted to upgrade the Winter
Storm Watch for zone 213 to a Blizzard Warning in anticipation of
the poor conditions on St. Lawrence Island. The watch for zone 214
was upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning. The Yukon Delta really
gets a one-two punch. Strong winds and Blowing snow will develop
tonight with the first front resulting in the potential for
blizzard conditions along the coast. Heavy snow will then move
into the Yukon Delta Saturday evening. Cold temperatures tonight
combined with increasing winds will result in wind chill values
around -40 along the Chukchi Sea Coast. Wind Chill Advisories have
been posted for 207, 209 and 210 from midnight tonight until noon
tomorrow.

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

Extended forecast for days 4 to 7...A pattern change early next
week will bring seasonal temperatures to much of the Central and
Eastern Interior with highs in the 30s and 40s, and lows in the
teens and 20s above.

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
High Wind Watch for AKZ226.

Blizzard Warning for AKZ213.

Winter Storm Watch for AKZ211-AKZ215-AKZ216.

Wind Chill Advisory for AKZ203-AKZ204-AKZ207-AKZ209-AKZ210-
AKZ226.

Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ212.

Winter Storm Warning for AKZ214.

Gale Warning for PKZ210.

Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ200-PKZ220.
&&

APR 21