Wind Advisory 4, NWS Fairbanks, AK

Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
234 PM AKDT Fri Mar 17 2023

.SYNOPSIS...
A pair of weather systems will bring chances for light snow,
warmer temperatures to the Interior along with gusty winds in the
Alaksa Range. A strong storm moving through the Bering Sea will
the potential for blizzard conditions to the west coast of Alaska
on Monday and Tuesday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
The 17/12 UTC model suite generally initialized well and are in
good agreement out into Wednesday. The ongoing forecast is in good
shape. We did bump up PoPs and winds with the system moving in on
Monday.

Aloft, at 500 mb, a ridge is currently in place over the Bering
and southern Chukchi Seas with a 508 dam low in place over the
Gulf of Alaska. A series of weak shortwaves associated with the
low in the Gulf of Alaska will move over the Interior tonight
into Sunday. Sunday night and Monday, a 492 dam low will move
across the Bering Sea, with the trough associated with the low
reaching the West Coast of Alaska by Sunday evening.

Central and Eastern Interior...
A weather front moving over the Interior tonight will bring
increased clouds and some flurries or snowfall tonight. Warmer
temperatures are expected for the weekend. Most of the area south
of the Yukon River will see highs in the 30s Saturday through
Monday, with highs in the 20s north of the river. Lows tonight,
will generally be in the single digits above and below zero.
Tomorrow night will be a bit warmer, with lows for some spots in
the southern Interior reaching the teens above zero. Passes in the
Alaska Range will see periods of gusty southerly winds tonight and
again early Sunday morning. Gusts up to 40 mph are possible for
both periods.

West Coast and Western Interior...
Relatively quiet weather is anticipated through Sunday. A front
moving from the east will bing some precipitation to St. Lawrence
Island on Sunday. Highs tomorrow will generally be in the teens
above zero, with slightly warmer temperatures expected for
Sunday. Lows tonight and Saturday night will be in the single
digits above and below zero. The weather pattern will become much
more active Sunday night and Monday. A 957 mb low moving through
the Bering Sea will bring Gale Force winds to St. Lawrence Island
by Sunday night, the Gales spreading into Norton Sound by Monday.
The strong winds and blowing snow could bring blizzard conditions
to the areas south of the Bering Strait Monday into Tuesday. This
system will bring temperatures that are a bit warmer to the area
as well. We opted to issue Winter Storm Watches in anticipation of
this event for the Bering Strait Coast, St. Lawrence Island, the
Yukon Delta and the southern Seward Peninsula Coast.

North Slope and Brooks Range...
Relatively quiet conditions are anticipated for tonight into
Saturday. Saturday night, some light snow is anticipated in the
Brooks Range; however, accumulation should generally be under an
inch. Breezy southerly gap winds are are expected to develop
Sunday with gusts to 40 mph possible. As the pressure gradient
tightens up on Sunday, blowing snow will develop along the
Beaufort Sea Coast. We will have to watch this area closely.

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

Extended forecast for days 4 to 7...Looking out into the extended,
unsettled weather will continue into next weekend along the west
coast; however the details remain uncertain at the moment.

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AK...Winter Storm Watch for AKZ211.
     Winter Storm Watch for AKZ213.
     Winter Storm Watch for AKZ214.
PK...Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ801.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ811.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ857.
&&