Alert archive / Alaska / Winter Storm Warnings in 2023
Winter Storm Warning 21, NWS Fairbanks, AK
NWS Fairbanks, AK issued this winter storm warning at Oct 22, 2023, 2:58 AM AKDT for North Slope Borough, Alaska. It was in force for 49 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
- Oct 22, 2023, 2:58 AM AKDT (10:58 UTC)
- Expired
- Oct 24, 2023, 4:23 AM AKDT
- In force
- 49 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Fairbanks, AK
County North Slope Borough, AK
The nearest sounding before it
Point Barrow, (PBRW), launched 00:00Z, 11.0 hours before the alert went out and 288 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 936 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 26 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 40 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 60 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
702 WWAK41 PAFG 221058 WSWNSB URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 258 AM AKDT Sun Oct 22 2023 AKZ805-221200- /O.CAN.PAFG.BZ.W.0022.000000T0000Z-231022T2000Z/ Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast- Including Kaktovik, Flaxman Island, and Point Thomson 258 AM AKDT Sun Oct 22 2023 ...BLIZZARD WARNING IS CANCELLED... $$ AKZ801-230200- /O.UPG.PAFG.WW.Y.0112.000000T0000Z-231023T1200Z/ /O.NEW.PAFG.WS.W.0021.231022T1058Z-231024T0200Z/ Western Arctic Coast- Including Point Hope, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne 258 AM AKDT Sun Oct 22 2023 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Heavy snow and blowing snow. Additional snow accumulations of 6 to 8 inches. Winds gusting as high as 70 mph. * WHERE...Western Arctic Coast. * WHEN...Until 6 PM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Storm Warning for snow means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. This will make travel very difficult or impossible. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$
5 follow-up statements
016 WWAK41 PAFG 222336 WSWNSB URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 336 PM AKDT Sun Oct 22 2023 AKZ801-231745- /O.CON.PAFG.WS.W.0021.000000T0000Z-231024T0200Z/ Western Arctic Coast- Including Point Hope, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne 336 PM AKDT Sun Oct 22 2023 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Strong winds. Mixed snow and rain. Additional snow accumulations of 4 inches. Winds gusting as high as 70 mph. * WHERE...Western Arctic Coast. * WHEN...Until 6 PM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Strong winds could cause damage to buildings and blow away lose items. Power lines could be damaged. Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Storm Warning for snow means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. This will make travel very difficult or impossible. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AKZ802-231745- /O.NEW.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.231023T1200Z-231024T1400Z/ Northwest Arctic Coast- Including Wainwright and Atqasuk 336 PM AKDT Sun Oct 22 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM MONDAY TO 6 AM AKDT TUESDAY... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow with low visibility expected. Total snow accumulations of one inch. Visibility one half mile or less at times. Winds gusting to 40 mph. * WHERE...Northwest Arctic Coast. * WHEN...From 4 AM Monday to 6 AM AKDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AKZ803-231745- /O.NEW.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.231023T2000Z-231024T2000Z/ Northern Arctic Coast- Including Utqiagvik 336 PM AKDT Sun Oct 22 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON MONDAY TO NOON AKDT TUESDAY... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow with low visibility expected. Total snow accumulations of one inch. Visibility one half mile or less at times. Winds gusting to 40 mph. * WHERE...Northern Arctic Coast. * WHEN...From noon Monday to noon AKDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AKZ809-231745- /O.NEW.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.231023T1800Z-231024T1800Z/ Central Brooks Range- Including Anaktuvuk Pass, Atigun Pass, Galbraith Lake, and the Dalton Highway from MP 232 to MP 322 336 PM AKDT Sun Oct 22 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM MONDAY TO 10 AM AKDT TUESDAY... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow with low visibility expected. Total snow accumulations of one inch. Visibility one half mile or less at times. South winds gusting to 40 mph. * WHERE...Central Brooks Range. * WHEN...From 10 AM Monday to 10 AM AKDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Large snow drifts could form. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$
187 WWAK41 PAFG 231018 WSWNSB URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 218 AM AKDT Mon Oct 23 2023 AKZ801-240215- /O.EXT.PAFG.WS.W.0021.000000T0000Z-231024T0600Z/ Western Arctic Coast- Including Point Hope, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne 218 AM AKDT Mon Oct 23 2023 ...WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM AKDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations of up to two inches. Winds gusting as high as 70 mph. * WHERE...Western Arctic Coast. * WHEN...Until 10 PM AKDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Storm Warning for snow means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. This will make travel very difficult or impossible. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AKZ802-240215- /O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.231023T1200Z-231024T1400Z/ Northwest Arctic Coast- Including Wainwright and Atqasuk 218 AM AKDT Mon Oct 23 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKDT TUESDAY... * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Northwest Arctic Coast. * WHEN...Until 6 AM AKDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AKZ803-240215- /O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.231023T2000Z-231024T2000Z/ Northern Arctic Coast- Including Utqiagvik 218 AM AKDT Mon Oct 23 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO NOON AKDT TUESDAY... * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. * WHERE...Northern Arctic Coast. * WHEN...From noon today to noon AKDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AKZ809-240215- /O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.231023T1800Z-231024T1800Z/ Central Brooks Range- Including Anaktuvuk Pass, Atigun Pass, Galbraith Lake, and the Dalton Highway from MP 232 to MP 322 218 AM AKDT Mon Oct 23 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 10 AM AKDT TUESDAY... * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph. * WHERE...Central Brooks Range. * WHEN...From 10 AM this morning to 10 AM AKDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$
345 WWAK41 PAFG 231021 WSWNSB URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 221 AM AKDT Mon Oct 23 2023 AKZ801-240200- /O.CON.PAFG.WS.W.0021.000000T0000Z-231024T0600Z/ Western Arctic Coast- Including Point Hope, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne 221 AM AKDT Mon Oct 23 2023 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM AKDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations of up to two inches. Winds gusting as high as 70 mph. * WHERE...Western Arctic Coast. * WHEN...Until 10 PM AKDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Storm Warning for snow means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. This will make travel very difficult or impossible. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AKZ802-240200- /O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.231023T1200Z-231024T1400Z/ Northwest Arctic Coast- Including Wainwright and Atqasuk 221 AM AKDT Mon Oct 23 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKDT TUESDAY... * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Northwest Arctic Coast. * WHEN...Until 6 AM AKDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AKZ803-240200- /O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.231023T2000Z-231024T2000Z/ Northern Arctic Coast- Including Utqiagvik 221 AM AKDT Mon Oct 23 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO NOON AKDT TUESDAY... * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. * WHERE...Northern Arctic Coast. * WHEN...From noon today to noon AKDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AKZ809-240200- /O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.231023T1800Z-231024T1800Z/ Central Brooks Range- Including Anaktuvuk Pass, Atigun Pass, Galbraith Lake, and the Dalton Highway from MP 232 to MP 322 221 AM AKDT Mon Oct 23 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 10 AM AKDT TUESDAY... * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph. * WHERE...Central Brooks Range. * WHEN...From 10 AM this morning to 10 AM AKDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$
551 WWAK41 PAFG 240016 WSWNSB URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 416 PM AKDT Mon Oct 23 2023 AKZ803-241930- /O.CAN.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.000000T0000Z-231024T2000Z/ /O.NEW.PAFG.WW.Y.0115.231024T0300Z-231024T2000Z/ Northern Arctic Coast- Including Utqiagvik 416 PM AKDT Mon Oct 23 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON AKDT TUESDAY... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow with low visibility expected. Total snow accumulations of one inch. Visibility one half mile or less at times. Winds gusting to 40 mph. * WHERE...Northern Arctic Coast. * WHEN...Until noon AKDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AKZ801-241400- /O.EXT.PAFG.WS.W.0021.000000T0000Z-231024T1400Z/ Western Arctic Coast- Including Point Hope, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne 416 PM AKDT Mon Oct 23 2023 ...WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKDT TUESDAY... * WHAT...Strong winds. Mixed snow and rain. Additional snow accumulations of up to two inches. Winds gusting as high as 70 mph. * WHERE...Western Arctic Coast. * WHEN...Until 6 AM AKDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Strong winds could cause damage to buildings and blow away lose items. Power lines could be damaged. Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Storm Warning for snow means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. This will make travel very difficult or impossible. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AKZ804-241930- /O.EXB.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.231024T0800Z-231024T2000Z/ Central Beaufort Sea Coast- Including Nuiqsut, Prudhoe Bay, Alpine, Deadhorse, Kuparuk, and the Dalton Highway north of MP 387 416 PM AKDT Mon Oct 23 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO NOON AKDT TUESDAY... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow with low visibility expected. Total snow accumulations of one inch. Visibility one half mile or less at times. Winds gusting to 40 mph. * WHERE...Central Beaufort Sea Coast. * WHEN...From midnight tonight to noon AKDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AKZ805-241930- /O.EXB.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.231024T1800Z-231025T1400Z/ Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast- Including Kaktovik, Flaxman Island, and Point Thomson 416 PM AKDT Mon Oct 23 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TUESDAY TO 6 AM AKDT WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow with low visibility expected. Total snow accumulations of one inch. Visibility one half mile or less at times. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph. * WHERE...Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast. * WHEN...From 10 AM Tuesday to 6 AM AKDT Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AKZ809-241930- /O.EXT.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.000000T0000Z-231024T2000Z/ Central Brooks Range- Including Anaktuvuk Pass, Atigun Pass, Galbraith Lake, and the Dalton Highway from MP 232 to MP 322 416 PM AKDT Mon Oct 23 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON AKDT TUESDAY... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow with low visibility expected. Additional snow accumulations of two inches. Visibility one half mile or less at times. South winds gusting to 40 mph. * WHERE...Central Brooks Range. * WHEN...Until noon AKDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Large snow drifts will form. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AKZ802-241400- /O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.000000T0000Z-231024T1400Z/ Northwest Arctic Coast- Including Wainwright and Atqasuk 416 PM AKDT Mon Oct 23 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKDT TUESDAY... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow with low visibility expected. Total snow accumulations of one inch. Visibility one half mile or less at times. Winds gusting to 40 mph. * WHERE...Northwest Arctic Coast. * WHEN...Until 6 AM AKDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$
132 WWAK41 PAFG 241223 WSWNSB URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 423 AM AKDT Tue Oct 24 2023 AKZ801-241330- /O.CAN.PAFG.WS.W.0021.000000T0000Z-231024T1400Z/ Western Arctic Coast- Including Point Hope, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne 423 AM AKDT Tue Oct 24 2023 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IS CANCELLED... $$ AKZ802-241330- /O.CAN.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.000000T0000Z-231024T1400Z/ Northwest Arctic Coast- Including Wainwright and Atqasuk 423 AM AKDT Tue Oct 24 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED... $$ AKZ803-241330- /O.CAN.PAFG.WW.Y.0115.000000T0000Z-231024T2000Z/ Northern Arctic Coast- Including Utqiagvik 423 AM AKDT Tue Oct 24 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED... $$ AKZ804-242000- /O.EXT.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.000000T0000Z-231025T0200Z/ Central Beaufort Sea Coast- Including Nuiqsut, Prudhoe Bay, Alpine, Deadhorse, Kuparuk, and the Dalton Highway north of MP 387 423 AM AKDT Tue Oct 24 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow with low visibility expected. Total snow accumulations of one inch. Visibility one half mile or less at times. Winds gusting to 40 mph. * WHERE...Central Beaufort Sea Coast. * WHEN...Until 6 PM AKDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AKZ805-242000- /O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.231024T1800Z-231025T1400Z/ Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast- Including Kaktovik, Flaxman Island, and Point Thomson 423 AM AKDT Tue Oct 24 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 AM AKDT WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow with low visibility expected. Total snow accumulations of one inch. Visibility one half mile or less at times. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph. * WHERE...Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast. * WHEN...From 10 AM Tuesday to 6 AM AKDT Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AKZ809-242000- /O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0114.000000T0000Z-231024T2000Z/ Central Brooks Range- Including Anaktuvuk Pass, Atigun Pass, Galbraith Lake, and the Dalton Highway from MP 232 to MP 322 423 AM AKDT Tue Oct 24 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON AKDT TODAY... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow with low visibility expected. Additional snow accumulations of two inches. Visibility one half mile or less at times. South winds gusting to 40 mph. * WHERE...Central Brooks Range. * WHEN...Until noon AKDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Large snow drifts will form. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this winter storm 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 winter storm warning went out at Oct 21, 4:03 PM AKDT, 10 hours 55 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Oct 21, 4:03 PM AKDT, 10 hours 55 minutes before
Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
403 PM AKDT Sat Oct 21 2023
.SYNOPSIS...
Blizzard Conditions have now ended over the Central North Slope
but could still occur near Kaktovik through Sun AM with winds
gusting to 55 mph there through tonight. Snow over the Seward Pen
and NW AK tonight will spread southeast across the Interior
tonight and Sun, then taper off over the West Coast Sun night and
taper off over the Interior on Mon. Expect 2-4 inches of snow
along the West Coast through 4am Mon with precip changing to mixed
rain and snow Sun night. Expect 4-8 inches of snow over inland
portions of NW AK with the heaviest amounts above 1000 ft through
4am Mon. Expect 1-2 inches of snow over the Central and SE
Interior Sun into Mon.
A strong weather front moving east across the Bering Sea on Sun
will move along the West Coast on Mon and then move east across
the North Slope Mon night and Tue. South winds 25 to 35 kt over
the SW Bering will spread to the Eastern Bering and Chukchi Seas
Sun PM, and over the West Coast Sun night and spreading north to
Utqiagvik on Mon then turn SW and decreasing Mon night and Tue.
There will be gusts to 60 mph through the Bering Strait and at
Cape Lisburne Sun night and Mon, and gusts to 40 mph at Red Dog
Mine Sun night and Mon. These winds will cause high surf with
potential for minor coastal flooding Sun night through Mon night
along South and West facing Coastlines from Golovin to Point Hope.
High surf possible Cape Lisburne to Utqiagvik Mon night and
Tue.
Mixed rain and snow with this system will move over the West
Coast Mon from the YK Delta north to Utqiagvik, then spreading
east across the North Slope and Northern Interior Mon night and
Tue. Expect another 4 inches of snow over NW AK above 1000 ft Mon
into Tue, with just a few inches along the North Slope and less
over the Northern Interior. The West Coast at sea levels should
not see much snow accumulation due to the mixing with rain.
Next week should see generally dry and colder than normal
conditions over the Interior, while the West Coast/Western
Interior and Arctic Coast are much warmer than normal with periods
of rain/snow.
Aloft...
The long wave pattern consists of a deep long wave trough over
Eastern Alaska and NW Canada that will move east into Canada on
Sun as a strong ridge builds over the Eastern Bering Sea and West
Coast on Sun, with the ridge building over all of Alaska Mon into
Wed and then persisting into next weekend. This will cause the
West Coast and North Slope to be warmer and wetter than normal and
windy next week, while the Interior will be drier and colder than
normal next week with very strong nocturnal inversions.
A short wave trough just north of the Arctic Coast of Alaska
will move over the Eastern Arctic Coast tonight and then move
southeast.
A second short wave trough over NW AK will move southeast across
the Interior tonight and Sun. This is causing snow over the Seward
Pen and NW AK that will spread SE tonight.
Surface...
A 980 mb east of Banks Island will move southeast. A low pressure
trough stretching from this low east to just north of Utqiagvik
will move over the Eastern Arctic Coast tonight and then move
east. This is causing strong west winds and periods of blizzard
conditions at Kaktovik that will continue into Sun AM.
A 1025 mb 60 NM north of Point Hope will move to Ambler as a 1028
mb low by 4am Sun, and to Fairbanks as a 1030 mb low by 4pm Sun.
A weak Arctic warm front stretching south from this low will move
east with the low. A weak Arctic Cold front stretching west from
this low will move to Fairbanks to Point Hope by 4pm Sun, then be
over run Sun night. Snow over the Seward Pen and NW AK with this
system will spread southeast across the Interior tonight and Sun,
then taper off over the West Coast Sun night and taper off over
the Interior on Mon. Expect 2-4 inches of snow along the West
Coast through 4am Mon with precip changing to mixed rain and snow
Sun night. Expect 4-8 inches of snow over inland portions of NW AK
with the heaviest amounts above 1000 ft through 4am Mon. Expect
1-2 inches of snow over the Central and SE Interior Sun into Mon.
A 1040 mb high pressure over the Southern Interior will build
north over the North Slope Sun then persist into Mon.
A strong weather front moving east across the Bering Sea on Sun
will move along the West Coast on Mon and then move east across
the North Slope Mon night and Tue.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Models initialize well aloft at 12Z. Models show similar patterns
aloft through Mon with slight differences in short wave details.
For Mon night and Tue, the NAM bring A slightly stronger short
wave around the ridge than other Models with the ECMWF closer to
it, while the GFS and Canadian models are weaken and slower with
the trough. At this time hard to say which is better solution but
favor the ECMWF for Mon night and Tue since its a middle
solution. Will use a blend of models for features aloft though
4pm Mon, then will lean more heavily on the ECMWF for Mon night
and Tue.
850 mb temperatures are colder than -10C across all of Northern
AK today, with temps rising to 0C west of the Bering Strait
tonight, with the 0C line moving to the YK Delta to Nome to Point
Hope by 4pm Sun, to Anvik to Point Lay by 4am Mon, and to McGrath
to Point Lay by 4PM Mon, then weaken in place through Tue. Expect
precip to be all snow NE of this 0C line, mixed rain and snow
along the 0C line, and change to rain SW of the line. Precip will
likely remain all snow above 1000 ft.
With precipitation, models show similar patterns through 4am Mon,
with differences mainly on amounts. The GFS continues to have much
higher amounts than other models through 4am Mon. Will use a blend
of models through 4am Mon for areal coverage and a blend of the
ECMWF and NAM for amounts. Given that the NAM is the outlier with
the stronger short wave trough moving east through the ridge aloft
Mon night and Tue with not use NAM precip then, but will use a
blend of the GFS and ECMWF for precip Mon night and Tue.
Highlight will be:
Snow over the Central and Eastern North Slope diminishing over the
Central North Slope tonight and over the Eastern North Slope early
Sun with about 1 inch more snow. Snow over the Seward Pen and NW
AK tonight into spreading SE across the Interior tonight and Sun,
then tapering off over the West Coast Sun night and tapering off
over the Interior on Mon. Expect 2-4 inches of snow along the
Coast through 4am Mon with precip changing to mixed Sun night.
Expect 4-8 inches of snow over inland portions of NW AK, heaviest
above 1000 ft through 4am Mon. Expect 1-2 inches of snow over the
Central and SE Interior Sun into Mon. Mixed rain and snow moving
over the West Coast Mon from the YK Delta north to Utqiagvik, then
spreading east across the North Slope and Northern Interior Mon
night and Tue. Expect another 4 inches of snow NW AK above 1000 ft
Mon into Tue, with just a few inches along the North Slope and
less over the Northern Interior.
At the surface at 15Z, models verify well on most features over
AK except that all models are 2-3 mb too weak on the high over the
YK Delta and 2-3mb too weak on the 1025 mb low just north of Cape
Lisburne. This means that the gradient along the West Coast is 4
mb stronger than models indicate and winds 3-5 kt stronger than
models would indicate today. Models show similar surface pattern
and winds through Mon, then the NAM has stronger winds over the
North Slope than other models for Mon night and Tue. Since the NAM
is the outlier aloft Mon night and Tue will use the ECMWF and GFS
in those time periods. Will use a blend of models for surface
winds Now through Mon, but bump up winds 2-3 kt along the West
Coast through this evening to account for the stronger than
forecast gradient there. Highlights are:
West winds gusting 55 mph at Barter Island decreasing to 25 mph
by noon Sun. South winds 25-35 kt over the SW Bering spreading to
the Eastern Bering and Chukchi Seas Sun PM, and over the West
Coast Sun night and spreading north to Utqiagvik on Mon then turn
SW and decreasing Mon night and Tue. Will gusts to 60 mph through
the Bering Strait and At Cape Lisburne Sun night and Mon, and
gusts to 40 mph at Red Dog Mine Sun night and Mon.
Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...
High surf with potential for minor coastal flooding Sun night
through Mon night along South and West facing Coastlines from
Golovin to Point Hope. High surf possible Cape Lisburne to
Utqiagvik Mon night and Tue.
&&
.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AK...Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ801-814-815.
High Surf Advisory for AKZ801-815-820>822-827.
Winter Storm Warning for AKZ816-819.
Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ817.
Blizzard Warning for AKZ805.
PK...Small Craft Advisory for PKZ806-807-814-816-817-851-854-856-860.
Small Craft Advisory for PKZ808>810-855-857.
Small Craft Advisory for PKZ811-858.
Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ812.
Small Craft Advisory for PKZ812-853.
Small Craft Advisory for PKZ813.
Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ813.
Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ814-815-860-861.
Gale Warning for PKZ815-861.
Small Craft Advisory for PKZ850.
Small Craft Advisory for PKZ859.
Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ859.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Fairbanks, AK issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 22, 2:48 AM AKDT | Gale Warning | AFG | 13 hr | |
| Oct 22, 2:49 AM AKDT | Gale Warning | AFG | 38 hr | |
| Oct 22, 2:49 AM AKDT | Small Craft Advisory | AFG | 49 hr | |
| Oct 22, 2:51 AM AKDT | Gale Warning | AFG | 13 hr | |
| Oct 22, 8:15 AM AKDT | Gale Warning | AFG | 8 hr | |
| Oct 22, 3:36 PM AKDT | Winter Weather Advisory | AFG | North Slope | 52 hr |
| Oct 22, 3:50 PM AKDT | High Wind Warning | AFG | Nome Census Area | 27 hr |
Nearby
Winter Storm Warnings in Alaska, 2023Every winter storm warning in 2023
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive.