Alert archive / Alaska / Blizzard Warnings in 2025
Blizzard Warning 16, NWS Fairbanks, AK
NWS Fairbanks, AK issued this blizzard warning at Feb 21, 2025, 10:07 AM AKST for North Slope Borough, Alaska. It was in force for 35 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
- Feb 21, 2025, 10:07 AM AKST (19:07 UTC)
- Expired
- Feb 22, 2025, 9:08 PM AKST
- In force
- 35 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Fairbanks, AK
County North Slope Borough, AK
The nearest sounding before it
Point Barrow, (PBRW), launched 12:00Z, 7.1 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
- 480 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 30 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -34 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 36 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
816 WWAK41 PAFG 211907 WSWNSB URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 1007 AM AKST Fri Feb 21 2025 AKZ801-221500- /O.UPG.PAFG.WW.Y.0039.000000T0000Z-250224T0000Z/ /O.NEW.PAFG.BZ.W.0016.250221T1907Z-250224T0300Z/ Western Arctic Coast- Including Point Hope, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne 1007 AM AKST Fri Feb 21 2025 ...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Blizzard conditions. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph. Visibility one quarter mile or less at times. * WHERE...Western Arctic Coast. * WHEN...Until 6 PM AKST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 50 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. && $$ AKZ802-221500- /O.NEW.PAFG.WW.Y.0040.250221T1907Z-250224T0300Z/ Northwest Arctic Coast- Including Wainwright and Atqasuk 1007 AM AKST Fri Feb 21 2025 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Blowing snow. Winds gusting as high as 30 mph. Visibility one half mile at times. * WHERE...Northwest Arctic Coast. * WHEN...Until 6 PM AKST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 50 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Use caution while traveling, especially in open areas. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$
4 follow-up statements
228 WWAK41 PAFG 220302 WSWNSB URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 602 PM AKST Fri Feb 21 2025 AKZ801-230300- /O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0016.000000T0000Z-250224T0300Z/ Western Arctic Coast- Including Point Hope, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne 602 PM AKST Fri Feb 21 2025 ...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Blizzard conditions. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph. Visibility reduced to white out conditions at times. * WHERE...Western Arctic Coast. * WHEN...Until 6 PM AKST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 50 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. && $$ AKZ804-805-230300- /O.EXB.PAFG.WW.Y.0040.250222T1500Z-250224T1200Z/ Central Beaufort Sea Coast-Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast- Including Nuiqsut, Prudhoe Bay, Alpine, Deadhorse, Kuparuk, the Dalton Highway north of MP 387, Kaktovik, Flaxman Island, and Point Thomson 602 PM AKST Fri Feb 21 2025 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM SATURDAY TO 3 AM AKST MONDAY... * WHAT...Blowing snow expected. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. Visibility one half mile or less at times. * WHERE...Central Beaufort Sea Coast and Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast. * WHEN...From 6 AM Saturday to 3 AM AKST Monday. * IMPACTS...Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 50 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Use caution while traveling, especially in open areas. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AKZ802-230300- /O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0040.000000T0000Z-250224T0300Z/ Northwest Arctic Coast- Including Wainwright and Atqasuk 602 PM AKST Fri Feb 21 2025 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Blowing snow. Winds gusting as high as 30 mph. Visibility one half mile at times. * WHERE...Northwest Arctic Coast. * WHEN...Until 6 PM AKST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 50 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Use caution while traveling, especially in open areas. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$
175 WWAK41 PAFG 221434 WSWNSB URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 534 AM AKST Sat Feb 22 2025 AKZ801-230300- /O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0016.000000T0000Z-250224T0300Z/ Western Arctic Coast- Including Point Hope, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne 534 AM AKST Sat Feb 22 2025 ...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Blizzard conditions. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph. Visibility reduced to white out conditions at times. * WHERE...Western Arctic Coast. * WHEN...Until 6 PM AKST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 50 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely difficult. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AKZ802-230300- /O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0040.000000T0000Z-250224T0300Z/ Northwest Arctic Coast- Including Wainwright and Atqasuk 534 AM AKST Sat Feb 22 2025 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Blowing snow. Winds gusting as high as 30 mph. Visibility one half mile at times. * WHERE...Northwest Arctic Coast. * WHEN...Until 6 PM AKST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 50 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. && $$ AKZ804-805-230300- /O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0040.250222T1500Z-250224T1200Z/ Central Beaufort Sea Coast-Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast- Including Nuiqsut, Prudhoe Bay, Alpine, Deadhorse, Kuparuk, the Dalton Highway north of MP 387, Kaktovik, Flaxman Island, and Point Thomson 534 AM AKST Sat Feb 22 2025 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM AKST MONDAY... * WHAT...Blowing snow expected. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. Visibility one half mile or less at times. * WHERE...Central Beaufort Sea Coast and Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast. * WHEN...From 6 AM Saturday to 3 AM AKST Monday. * IMPACTS...Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 50 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$
848 WWAK41 PAFG 222127 WSWNSB URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 1227 PM AKST Sat Feb 22 2025 AKZ801-231500- /O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0016.000000T0000Z-250224T0300Z/ Western Arctic Coast- Including Point Hope, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne 1227 PM AKST Sat Feb 22 2025 ...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Blizzard conditions. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph. Visibility reduced to white out conditions at times. * WHERE...Western Arctic Coast. * WHEN...Until 6 PM AKST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 50 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. && $$ AKZ802-231500- /O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0040.000000T0000Z-250224T0300Z/ Northwest Arctic Coast- Including Wainwright and Atqasuk 1227 PM AKST Sat Feb 22 2025 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Blowing snow. Winds gusting as high as 30 mph. Visibility one half mile at times. * WHERE...Northwest Arctic Coast. * WHEN...Until 6 PM AKST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 50 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AKZ804-805-231500- /O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0040.000000T0000Z-250224T1200Z/ Central Beaufort Sea Coast-Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast- Including Nuiqsut, Prudhoe Bay, Alpine, Deadhorse, Kuparuk, the Dalton Highway north of MP 387, Kaktovik, Flaxman Island, and Point Thomson 1227 PM AKST Sat Feb 22 2025 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM AKST MONDAY... * WHAT...Blowing snow expected. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. Visibility one half mile or less at times. * WHERE...Central Beaufort Sea Coast and Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast. * WHEN...Until 3 AM AKST Monday. * IMPACTS...Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 50 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. && $$
938 WWAK41 PAFG 230608 WSWNSB URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 908 PM AKST Sat Feb 22 2025 AKZ801-240300- /O.CAN.PAFG.BZ.W.0016.000000T0000Z-250224T0300Z/ /O.EXA.PAFG.WW.Y.0040.000000T0000Z-250224T0300Z/ Western Arctic Coast- Including Point Hope, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne 908 PM AKST Sat Feb 22 2025 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST SUNDAY... ...BLIZZARD WARNING IS CANCELLED... * WHAT...Blowing snow expected. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. Visibility one half mile or less at times. * WHERE...Western Arctic Coast. * WHEN...Until 6 PM AKST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 50 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Use caution while traveling, especially in open areas. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AKZ802-240300- /O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0040.000000T0000Z-250224T0300Z/ Northwest Arctic Coast- Including Wainwright and Atqasuk 908 PM AKST Sat Feb 22 2025 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Blowing snow expected. Winds gusting as high as 30 mph. Visibility one half mile or less at times. * WHERE...Northwest Arctic Coast. * WHEN...Until 6 PM AKST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 50 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Use caution while traveling, especially in open areas. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$ AKZ804-805-240300- /O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0040.000000T0000Z-250224T1200Z/ Central Beaufort Sea Coast-Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast- Including Nuiqsut, Prudhoe Bay, Alpine, Deadhorse, Kuparuk, the Dalton Highway north of MP 387, Kaktovik, Flaxman Island, and Point Thomson 908 PM AKST Sat Feb 22 2025 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM AKST MONDAY... * WHAT...Blowing snow expected. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. Visibility one half mile or less at times. * WHERE...Central Beaufort Sea Coast and Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast. * WHEN...Until 3 AM AKST Monday. * IMPACTS...Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 50 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Use caution while traveling, especially in open areas. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. && $$
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 Feb 21, 6:06 AM AKST, 4 hours 1 minute earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Feb 21, 6:06 AM AKST, 4 hours 1 minute before
Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
606 AM AKST Fri Feb 21 2025
.SYNOPSIS...
Strong winds continue across the North Slope through the Chukchi
Sea down to St Lawrence Island. Periods of blowing snow and
localized ground blizzard conditions are possible, especially from
Point Hope to Point Lay and near Deadhorse. Warmer-than-average
temperatures are expected to continue into this weekend and
through next week. Some light snow is possible at times throughout
the region this weekend into early next week as well.
.DISCUSSION...
Central and Eastern Interior...
- Gusty east winds around 15 to 30 mph will continue over higher
terrain and Summits of the Northern Interior today, diminishing
overnight.
- Above average temperatures.
West Coast and Western Interior...
- Strong northeasterly winds continue from Point Hope through the
Bering Strait towards St Lawrence Island.
- Blowing snow at times with reduced visibility, especially Point
Hope to Point Lay.
- Winds begin to diminish late Saturday.
North Slope and Brooks Range...
- Strong northeasterly winds continue across the North Slope with
gusty winds extending into the Brooks Range.
- Winds diminish across the Brooks Range on Saturday, but likely
persisting across the North Slope through the weekend into next
week.
- Cold wind chills along with areas of blowing snow expected, producing
localized ground blizzards.
Forecast Discussion and Analysis...
Surface high pressure currently resides over the Arctic Ocean with
a broad area of low pressure sitting over the Gulf of Alaska. A
north-south MSLP gradient has set up across most of northern
Alaska promoting a light northeasterly wind through the Interior.
Strong and gustier winds can be found in the higher terrain and
highway summits, and along the western and northern shores. Strong
winds across the North Slope to Point Hope may result in periodic
ground blizzard conditions. Guidance shows weak low pressure
building into the Bering Sea as early as Sunday night, which
allows the MSLP gradient to relax and the winds to therefore
diminish. Further north along the North Slope, the gradient
remains tight and strong winds are expected to persist through the
weekend and possibly into next week.
Extended Forecast Days 4-7...
With broad ridging over Alaska and troughing over the North
Pacific, light mid-level southerly flow across the state has
lead to warmer-than-average temperatures. Ensemble guidance does
not hint at much change in the overall pattern through the weekend
and into the extended period. Occasional light snowfall is
possible at times as weak low pressure centers move northward late
this weekend into early next week, with a stronger low possible by
midweek. Guidance is in relatively poor agreement spatially and
temporally with these features so forecast confidence decreases
regarding snowfall timing and amounts. Light low to mid- level
flow within the ridge may reduce the effects of rain shadowing so
snow may not be confined to just the higher terrain. Snowfall
chances will depend on exactly where these lows track and how they
evolve.
Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...None.
&&
.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AK...Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ801.
PK...Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ804-805.
Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ806-807-810-814-850.
Gale Warning for PKZ811-857.
Gale Warning for PKZ812-858.
Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ813-860.
Gale Warning for PKZ815.
Gale Warning for PKZ816.
Gale Warning for PKZ817-851.
Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ852.
Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ853.
Gale Warning for PKZ854-856.
Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ859.
Gale Warning for PKZ861.
&&
EckhoffThe office that day
Everything else NWS Fairbanks, AK issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 20, 3:57 PM AKST | Brisk Wind Advisory | AFG | 72 hr | |
| Feb 20, 3:57 PM AKST | Brisk Wind Advisory | AFG | 48 hr | |
| Feb 20, 3:57 PM AKST | Gale Warning | AFG | 24 hr | |
| Feb 20, 5:45 PM AKST | Winter Weather Advisory | AFG | North Slope | 16 hr |
| Feb 21, 3:45 AM AKST | Brisk Wind Advisory | AFG | 60 hr | |
| Feb 21, 3:45 AM AKST | Gale Warning | AFG | 12 hr | |
| Feb 21, 10:07 AM AKST | Winter Weather Advisory | AFG | North Slope | 65 hr |
Nearby
Blizzard Warnings in Alaska, 2025Every blizzard warning in 2025
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.