Alert archive / Alaska / Blizzard Warnings in 2024

Blizzard Warning 33, NWS Fairbanks, AK

November 17, 2024North Slope Borough, Alaska

NWS Fairbanks, AK issued this blizzard warning at Nov 17, 2024, 1:44 AM AKST for North Slope Borough, Alaska. It took effect at Nov 17, 2024, 9:00 PM AKST. It was in force for 22 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 17, 2024, 1:44 AM AKST (10:44 UTC)
In effect from
Nov 17, 2024, 9:00 PM AKST
Expired
Nov 18, 2024, 6:57 PM AKST
In force
22 hr
Issued by
NWS Fairbanks, AK

County North Slope Borough, AK

The nearest sounding before it

Point Barrow, (PBRW), launched 00:00Z, 10.7 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Point Barrow, at 00:00Z on 2024-11-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Point Barrow, at 00:00Z on 2024-11-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -22 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
610 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
10 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-22 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
30 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

838 
WWAK41 PAFG 171044
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
144 AM AKST Sun Nov 17 2024

AKZ805-180200-
/O.UPG.PAFG.WW.Y.0121.241118T0600Z-241119T0600Z/
/O.NEW.PAFG.BZ.W.0033.241118T0600Z-241119T0600Z/
Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast-
Including Kaktovik, Flaxman Island, and Point Thomson
144 AM AKST Sun Nov 17 2024

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 9 PM AKST
MONDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations of
  up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph.

* WHERE...Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast.

* WHEN...From 9 PM this evening to 9 PM AKST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Widespread blowing 
  snow could significantly reduce visibility. The dangerously 
  cold wind chills as low as 45 below zero could cause frostbite 
  on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.

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. 

The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

AKZ801-180200-
/O.CON.PAFG.WS.A.0049.241119T0900Z-241121T0000Z/
Western Arctic Coast-
Including Point Hope, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne
144 AM AKST Sun Nov 17 2024

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE MONDAY NIGHT
THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions possible. Total snow accumulations of
  2 to 4 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 70 mph.

* WHERE...Western Arctic Coast.

* WHEN...From late Monday night through Wednesday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Widespread 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...

A Winter Storm Watch for blizzard conditions means there is a
potential for falling and/or blowing snow with strong winds and
extremely poor visibilities. This can lead to whiteout conditions
and make travel very difficult. 

&&

$$
4 follow-up statements
800 
WWAK41 PAFG 180025
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
325 PM AKST Sun Nov 17 2024

AKZ805-181600-
/O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0033.241118T0600Z-241119T0600Z/
Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast-
Including Kaktovik, Flaxman Island, and Point Thomson
325 PM AKST Sun Nov 17 2024

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO
9 PM AKST MONDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations of
  up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph.

* WHERE...Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast.

* WHEN...From 9 PM this evening to 9 PM AKST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing 
  snow could significantly reduce visibility. The dangerously 
  cold wind chills as low as 45 below zero could cause frostbite 
  on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.

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. 

The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

AKZ801-181600-
/O.CON.PAFG.WS.A.0049.241119T0900Z-241121T0000Z/
Western Arctic Coast-
Including Point Hope, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne
325 PM AKST Sun Nov 17 2024

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE MONDAY NIGHT
THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions possible. Total snow accumulations of
  2 to 4 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 70 mph.

* WHERE...Western Arctic Coast.

* WHEN...From late Monday night through Wednesday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Widespread 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...

A Winter Storm Watch for blizzard conditions means there is a
potential for falling and/or blowing snow with strong winds and
extremely poor visibilities. This can lead to whiteout conditions
and make travel very difficult. 

&&

$$
147 
WWAK41 PAFG 181258
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
358 AM AKST Mon Nov 18 2024

AKZ801-190100-
/O.UPG.PAFG.WS.A.0049.241119T0900Z-241121T0000Z/
/O.NEW.PAFG.BZ.W.0034.241119T0900Z-241121T0000Z/
Western Arctic Coast-
Including Point Hope, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne
358 AM AKST Mon Nov 18 2024

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 3 PM AKST
WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Visibility of one quarter
  mile or less at times. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 5 
  inches. Winds gusting as high as 70 mph.

* WHERE...Western Arctic Coast.

* WHEN...From midnight tonight to 3 PM AKST Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Widespread blowing
  snow could significantly reduce visibility. 

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. 

&&

$$

AKZ805-190100-
/O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0033.000000T0000Z-241119T0600Z/
Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast-
Including Kaktovik, Flaxman Island, and Point Thomson
358 AM AKST Mon Nov 18 2024

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM AKST THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations of
  up to one inch. Visibility of one quarter mile or less at times. Winds
  gusting as high as 50 mph.

* WHERE...Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast.

* WHEN...Until 9 PM AKST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce
  visibility. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 45 below
  zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10
  minutes.

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.

&&

$$

AKZ802>804-190100-
/O.NEW.PAFG.WW.Y.0124.241119T1800Z-241121T0300Z/
Northwest Arctic Coast-Northern Arctic Coast-
Central Beaufort Sea Coast-
Including Wainwright, Atqasuk, Utqiagvik, Nuiqsut, Prudhoe Bay, 
Alpine, Deadhorse, Kuparuk, 
and the Dalton Highway north of MP 387
358 AM AKST Mon Nov 18 2024

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TUESDAY TO 6 PM
AKST WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Snow and blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations
  of 2 to 4 inches. Visibility of one half mile or less at times. Winds
  gusting as high as 45 mph.

* WHERE...Northwest Arctic Coast, Northern Arctic Coast and 
  Central Beaufort Sea Coast.

* WHEN...From 9 AM Tuesday to 6 PM AKST Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. 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.

&&

$$
649 
WWAK41 PAFG 182149
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
1249 PM AKST Mon Nov 18 2024

AKZ802-803-191500-
/O.UPG.PAFG.WW.Y.0124.241119T1800Z-241121T0300Z/
/O.EXB.PAFG.BZ.W.0034.241119T1800Z-241121T0300Z/
Northwest Arctic Coast-Northern Arctic Coast-
Including Wainwright, Atqasuk, and Utqiagvik
1249 PM AKST Mon Nov 18 2024

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TUESDAY TO 6 PM AKST
WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations 
  of 2 to 4 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.

* WHERE...Northwest Arctic Coast and Northern Arctic Coast.

* WHEN...From 9 AM Tuesday to 6 PM AKST Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow
  could significantly reduce visibility. The cold wind chills as
  low as 35 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as
  little as 30 minutes.

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. 

The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

AKZ806-807-191500-
/O.EXB.PAFG.BZ.W.0034.241119T1200Z-241121T0000Z/
Western Arctic Plains-Howard Pass and the Delong Mountains-
Including Umiat and Howard Pass
1249 PM AKST Mon Nov 18 2024

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TUESDAY TO 3 PM AKST
WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations 
  of up to 7 inches. Winds gusting as high as 60 to 70 mph.

* WHERE...Western Arctic Plains and Howard Pass and the Delong 
  Mountains.

* WHEN...From 3 AM Tuesday to 3 PM AKST Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow
  could significantly reduce visibility. The dangerously cold wind
  chills as low as 40 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed
  skin in as little as 10 minutes.

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. 

The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

AKZ801-191500-
/O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0034.241119T0900Z-241121T0000Z/
Western Arctic Coast-
Including Point Hope, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne
1249 PM AKST Mon Nov 18 2024

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO
3 PM AKST WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations 
  of 3 to 5 inches. Winds gusting as high as 75 mph.

* WHERE...Western Arctic Coast.

* WHEN...From midnight tonight to 3 PM AKST Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Widespread 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...

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. 

The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

AKZ805-190600-
/O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0033.000000T0000Z-241119T0600Z/
Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast-
Including Kaktovik, Flaxman Island, and Point Thomson
1249 PM AKST Mon Nov 18 2024

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM AKST THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast.

* WHEN...Until 9 PM AKST this evening.

* IMPACTS...Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce 
  visibility. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 35 
  below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little 
  as 10 minutes.

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. 

The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

AKZ804-191500-
/O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0124.241119T1800Z-241121T0300Z/
Central Beaufort Sea Coast-
Including Nuiqsut, Prudhoe Bay, Alpine, Deadhorse, Kuparuk, 
and the Dalton Highway north of MP 387
1249 PM AKST Mon Nov 18 2024

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TUESDAY TO
6 PM AKST WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of up to two 
  inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.

* WHERE...Central Beaufort Sea Coast.

* WHEN...From 9 AM Tuesday to 6 PM AKST Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing 
  snow could significantly reduce visibility. The dangerously 
  cold wind chills as low as 40 below zero could cause frostbite 
  on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. 

The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$
984 
WWAK41 PAFG 190357
WSWNSB

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
657 PM AKST Mon Nov 18 2024

AKZ805-190500-
/O.CAN.PAFG.BZ.W.0033.000000T0000Z-241119T0600Z/
Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast-
Including Kaktovik, Flaxman Island, and Point Thomson
657 PM AKST Mon Nov 18 2024

...BLIZZARD WARNING IS CANCELLED...

$$

AKZ801-191500-
/O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0034.241119T0900Z-241121T0000Z/
Western Arctic Coast-
Including Point Hope, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne
657 PM AKST Mon Nov 18 2024

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO
3 PM AKST WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations 
  of 3 to 5 inches. Winds gusting as high as 75 mph.

* WHERE...Western Arctic Coast.

* WHEN...From midnight tonight to 3 PM AKST Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Widespread 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...

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.

The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

AKZ802-803-191500-
/O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0034.241119T1800Z-241121T0300Z/
Northwest Arctic Coast-Northern Arctic Coast-
Including Wainwright, Atqasuk, and Utqiagvik
657 PM AKST Mon Nov 18 2024

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TUESDAY TO 6 PM
AKST WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations 
  of 2 to 4 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.

* WHERE...Northwest Arctic Coast and Northern Arctic Coast.

* WHEN...From 9 AM Tuesday to 6 PM AKST Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow
  could significantly reduce visibility. The cold wind chills as
  low as 35 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as
  little as 30 minutes.

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.

The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

AKZ806-807-191500-
/O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0034.241119T1200Z-241121T0000Z/
Western Arctic Plains-Howard Pass and the Delong Mountains-
Including Umiat and Howard Pass
657 PM AKST Mon Nov 18 2024

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TUESDAY TO 3 PM
AKST WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations 
  of up to 7 inches. Winds gusting as high as 60 to 70 mph.

* WHERE...Western Arctic Plains and Howard Pass and the Delong 
  Mountains.

* WHEN...From 3 AM Tuesday to 3 PM AKST Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow
  could significantly reduce visibility. The dangerously cold wind
  chills as low as 40 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed
  skin in as little as 10 minutes.

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.

The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

AKZ804-191500-
/O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0124.241119T1800Z-241121T0300Z/
Central Beaufort Sea Coast-
Including Nuiqsut, Prudhoe Bay, Alpine, Deadhorse, Kuparuk, 
and the Dalton Highway north of MP 387
657 PM AKST Mon Nov 18 2024

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TUESDAY TO
6 PM AKST WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of up to two 
  inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.

* WHERE...Central Beaufort Sea Coast.

* WHEN...From 9 AM Tuesday to 6 PM AKST Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing
  snow could significantly reduce visibility. The dangerously cold
  wind chills as low as 40 below zero could cause frostbite on
  exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.

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 blizzard 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 blizzard warning went out at Nov 16, 2:56 PM AKST, 10 hours 48 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Central and Eastern Interior...
  • Widespread light snow tapers off with additional accumulations around 1 inch through tonight. Low temps of 0F to 10 below tonight.
  • Drier conditions and clearing skies expected on Sunday with temperatures turning much colder for Monday/Tuesday.
  • Temperatures drop to 30 below Sunday night across the Upper Koyukuk Valley. These cold temperatures drop further south to the Tanana Valley Monday night.
  • A warm front brings rapidly warming temperatures and light snow chances Tuesday night through Wednesday. North Slope and Brooks Range...
  • Cold temperatures (around -30F) become more widespread through Tuesday across the Arctic Plains and Brooks Range. North winds around 15 mph in the Brooks Range Sunday night into Monday morning will result in very cold wind chills near 55 below just barely short of a Cold Weather Advisory.
  • Winds shift westerly Sunday night into Monday resulting in an increase in sea effect snow showers downwind of the Chukchi Sea and stronger west winds of 30-40 mph result in blowing snow potential for Barter Island/Kaktovik justifying a Winter Weather Advisory.
  • A strong warm front brings a period of snow and strong southerly winds to the Chukchi and western Arctic Coast Monday night into Tuesday that justified issuance of a Blizzard Watch. West Coast and Western Interior...
Area forecast discussion, Nov 16, 2:56 PM AKST, 10 hours 48 minutes before
Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
256 PM AKST Sat Nov 16 2024

.SYNOPSIS...
An area of steady light snow extending from Noatak southeast across
the south and eastern interior gradually tapers off tonight with
skies gradually clearing late Sunday into Monday. Mostly clear skies
and building ridging on Monday and Tuesday allows for another
stretch of cold temperatures (locally colder than -30F) as ridging
builds across the interior. NAEFS guidance advertises MSLP values
above the 99th percentile across most of the interior implying
unseasonably strong subsidence that may support temperatures below
guidance. This ridging builds ahead of a low pressure tracking east
from Siberia across the Chukchi Sea early next week brings strong
winds, moderate to heavy snow, and potential for blizzard conditions
to portions of the Seward Peninsula and Arctic Coast late Monday
night thru Wednesday night. There's also growing confidence in a
period of freezing drizzle across the YK Delta and perhaps as far
north as the Kotzebue Sound and as far inland as Galena starting on
Tuesday. Impressive ridging over the Alaska Peninsula results in
zonal flow into the interior resulting in much above normal
temperatures and potential for widespread snowfall.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
Central and Eastern Interior...
- Widespread light snow tapers off with additional accumulations
around 1 inch through tonight. Low temps of 0F to 10 below tonight.
- Drier conditions and clearing skies expected on Sunday with
temperatures turning much colder for Monday/Tuesday.
- Temperatures drop to 30 below Sunday night across the Upper
Koyukuk Valley. These cold temperatures drop further south to the
Tanana Valley Monday night.
- A warm front brings rapidly warming temperatures and light snow
chances Tuesday night through Wednesday.

North Slope and Brooks Range...
- Cold temperatures (around -30F) become more widespread through
Tuesday across the Arctic Plains and Brooks Range. North winds
around 15 mph in the Brooks Range Sunday night into Monday morning
will result in very cold wind chills near 55 below just barely
short of a Cold Weather Advisory.
- Winds shift westerly Sunday night into Monday resulting in an
increase in sea effect snow showers downwind of the Chukchi Sea and
stronger west winds of 30-40 mph result in blowing snow potential
for Barter Island/Kaktovik justifying a Winter Weather Advisory.
- A strong warm front brings a period of snow and strong southerly
winds to the Chukchi and western Arctic Coast Monday night into
Tuesday that justified issuance of a Blizzard Watch.

West Coast and Western Interior...
- Sea effect snow showers in the vicinity of Emmonak continue thru
Sunday morning with up to 2 inches of snow before tapering to
flurries Sunday evening. Squalls are possible through tonight.
- Light system snow shifts south and tapers off tonight with less
around or less than an inch of additional snowfall.
- Strong southerly winds accompanied by moderate to heavy snow may
result in blizzard conditions along the Bering Strait coast between
the Seward Peninsula to Point Hope Monday night into Wednesday.

.DISCUSSION...
Broad upper level troughing prevails across mainland Alaska tonight
before shifting east into Canada by Monday. A low over Norton Sound
this morning drops southeast into the Gulf of Alaska on Sunday
spreading an area of light snow southeastward across the Interior
tonight. Additional snow accumulations of an inch or less are
expected overnight with the possible exception of locations that
receive more persistent sea-effect snow showers in the vicinity of
Emmonak where up to 2 inches is possible. In fact, Nome radar is
showing a well-defined mesolow at 23Z that is likely to bring
squally conditions as it moves onshore around Emmonak around 3-4Z
this evening. By Sunday evening, drying mid-levels combined with
building ridging results in clearing skies as winds turn northerly.

An upper level low drops south out of the high Arctic and deepens as
it tracks to the west of Banks Island this weekend, pushing cold air
south across the Arctic Coast and into the Interior Sunday into
Tuesday. At the same time, a summer-like 580+ dm ridge builds across
the Aleutians with the ridge axis stretching from near Amchitka into
the Chukchi Sea. Downstream of this ridge axis, MSLP >99th
percentile of CFSR climatology results in very cold overnight
temperatures. Temps around 30 below are forecast over the Arctic
Plains to the Upper Koyukuk Valley Sunday night. These very cold
temperatures will be accompanied by northerly winds around 15 mph in
the Brooks Range dropping wind chill values to near 55 below. By
Monday night, these very cold temperatures drop further south across
the Interior with low temperatures near 35 below at Arctic Village,
Fort Yukon, and Chicken and 25 to 30 below across the Tanana Valley.

For Monday night into Tuesday, a deepening low tracks north across
eastern Siberia and over the Chukchi Sea. Model spread remains
large, but the low track is sufficiently far north and the trend
continues to be farther north. This may limit the amount of snowfall
for the Seward Peninsula as a strong warm front shifts over the West
Coast late Monday night. The front then lifts northeast across the
interior Tuesday night into Wednesday. Regardless of QPF/snowfall,
strong southerly winds signal potential blizzard conditions along
the Chukchi Sea Coast and Bering Strait coast. In addition,
localized ice shoves are a possibility with the new ice starting to
form along the Northern Kotzebue Sound. Across the YK Delta region,
BUFKIT indicates a brief period of deep saturation with the FroPa
then shallow saturation beneath the DGZ/dry slot implying freezing
drizzle potential. ECMWF p-type meteograms further support this
potential and even if surface temps creep above freezing, frozen
soils should prolong the surface icing potential. Further into the
interior the warm FroPa may be completely dry with better chances
for precip with the cold front late Wed or Thu.

Extended Forecast Days 4-7...NAEFS guidance indicates upper level
heights maxing out CFSR climatology in the vicinity of Bristol Bay
for most of next week. North of the ridge, seasonably strong zonal
flow advects a much warmer air mass across Northern Alaska and
signals potential for widespread precipitation. Precip types may
become complicated, but those are details that can be sorted out
later. By Wednesday the upper ridge should become flattened a bit as
an upper low moves east over the Arctic. This will bring more of a
westerly flow pattern that will push the front and accompanying
snowfall across northern Alaska.

Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...Strong southerly winds
behind a warm front Monday night and Tuesday gradually veer more
westerly ahead of a cold front on Wednesday. Early guidance
indicates potential for water levels above the highest tide.

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AK...Winter Storm Watch for AKZ801-814>817-820-821.
     Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ805.
PK...Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ801-802-806-807-816-817-850-
     852>854-856.
     Gale Warning for PKZ801-850.
     Small Craft Advisory for PKZ802-806-807-816-817-851-856.
     Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ804.
     Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ805.
     Small Craft Advisory for PKZ805.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ810.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ811-857.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ812.
     Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ851.
     Gale Warning for PKZ853.
     Gale Warning for PKZ854.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ858.
&&

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Nov 17, 1:44 AM AKSTWinter Weather AdvisoryAFGDenali, Southeast Fairbanks Census Area46 hr
Nov 17, 3:04 AM AKSTBrisk Wind AdvisoryAFG58 hr
Nov 17, 3:05 AM AKSTGale WarningAFG13 hr
Nov 17, 3:05 AM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFG63 hr

Nearby

Blizzard Warnings in Alaska, 2024Every blizzard warning in 2024

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.