Gale Warning 76, NWS Fairbanks, AK

Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
244 PM AKST Tue Feb 20 2024

.SYNOPSIS...

Chinook flow will bring warmer temperatures to the Interior on
Today, as well as high winds in the Alaska Range. Slightly cooler
over the Interior on Wed and Thursday. A slight chance of snow
on Wednesday for the Interior along with a slight chance of
freezing rain over the southern Interior. Snow and blowing snow
for the west coast continues as well as Blizzard conditions will
continue for the Arctic slope through Wednesday, as a series of
lows move up the coast. Snow continues in the Nulato Hills.
Turning colder for the weekend over the Interior.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

Analysis and Model Discussion...

Upper level ridging giving way to southerly flow over the Interior
through Tuesday. The models are in better agreement regarding a
series of fronts, surface lows, and shortwaves that will move
across Western Alaska Tuesday and Wed, keeping the West Coast and
Western Interior in an active pattern consisting of snow and some
blowing snow. Strong pressure gradient over the north slope will
produce blizzard conditions through Wednesday. The shortwaves
pushing against the high pressure ridge will ramp up winds along
the Alaska Range as well, and High Wind Warnings and Advisories
are expected to continue into Wednesday.

Central and Eastern Interior...

Chinook flow will set up over the Interior today and persist into
Wednesday night. Expecting winds to gust up to 60 mph near Delta
Junction and along the Parks highway near Healy, and up to 70 mph
for the Richardson Highway north of Trims Camp. Strong southerly
chinook winds blowing across the Alaska Range have caused
temperatures to rise well above freezing today over most of the
Middle Tanana Valley. High temperatures in the low to mid 40s
around Fairbanks and mid to upper 40s near the Alaska Range this
afternoon. These warm temperatures will cause walking and driving
surfaces to become slippery. Slightly cooler on Wednesday, with
high temps in the low to mid 30s and back in the 20s on Thursday.
There is a chance periods of light snow to spread into portions of
the Central Interior through Wednesday. There is also a slight
chance of freezing rain over the southern Interior on Wednesday,
but most areas will see snow.

North Slope and Brooks Range...

High pressure exists over the Chukchi Sea and low pressure over
northwest Alaska, producing a tight pressure gradient over the
northwest coast and across the north slope. This will keep strong
northeasterly winds over the area, promoting areas of blizzard
conditions through Wednesday afternoon.

West Coast and Western Interior...

A front followed by two surface lows move over the West Coast and
Western Interior through Wednesday. Snow is expected to be
continuous, with heaviest snow Tuesday into Wednesday morning with
the second low primarily falling from the Nulato Hills south to
Russian Mission. Snow will continue in the upslope areas through
Wednesday evening. A second low will bring snow and blowing snow
to Saint Lawrence Island and the Yukon Delta coast on Wednesday.
Winter storm Warnings have been issued. Winter Storm Warnings
remain in effect for the inland areas along the Nulato Hills.
Snow showers will linger over the west coast Thursday and Friday.

Extended Forecast For Days 4 Through 7...

Longer range models and ensembles all indicate the ridge
weakening middle to end of next week as troughing over the
Aleutians and Bering strengthens. Warmer than average temperatures
will continue through the end of the week, but guidance points to
temperatures dropping again next week.

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

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AK...Blizzard Warning for AKZ801.
     Blizzard Warning for AKZ802-803.
     Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ816-819-828-832.
     Winter Storm Warning for AKZ825>827.
     Winter Storm Warning for AKZ829.
     Winter Storm Warning for AKZ830.
     Blizzard Warning for AKZ804-805.
     Wind Advisory for AKZ837-847.
     High Wind Warning for AKZ849.
PK...Gale Warning for PKZ801.
     Gale Warning for PKZ802.
     Gale Warning for PKZ803-852.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ804.
     Gale Warning for PKZ805-806-817-853.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ807.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ808>810-855.
     Gale Warning for PKZ811.
     Gale Warning for PKZ812.
     Gale Warning for PKZ813.
     Gale Warning for PKZ814-859.
     Gale Warning for PKZ815-860.
     Gale Warning for PKZ816.
     Gale Warning for PKZ850.
     Gale Warning for PKZ851.
     Gale Warning for PKZ854.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ856.
     Gale Warning for PKZ857.
     Gale Warning for PKZ858.
     Gale Warning for PKZ861.
&&