Blizzard Warning 25, NWS Fairbanks, AK

Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
235 PM AKDT Mon Apr 14 2025

.SYNOPSIS...
Areas of snow in the Central Interior may be heavy at times. The
snow may mix with rain as temperatures rise to the low 40s this
afternoon. Otherwise, winds continue to weaken in the Alaska Range
but will strengthen once again on Wednesday. High Wind Watches
have been issued. A strong low will approach Southwest Alaska on
Wednesday bringing widespread rain, snow and gusty winds through
Thursday. The North Slope and Brooks Range remain pretty benign
through Tuesday with only scattered snow showers and areas of
fog/stratus. Otherwise, more widespread snow arrives in the Brooks
Range on Thursday with strong gusty winds along the Arctic Coast
increasing as well.

&&

.KEY WEATHER MESSAGES...
Central and Eastern Interior...
- Widespread snow and some rain in the Interior. Rain will mix in
  with lower precipitation rates, it will switch to all snow in
  heavier rates. Minor snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are
  possible, especially in the higher terrain.
	- Fairbanks area may see an inch this evening/tonight.
	- Snow continues at times through tomorrow morning.

- Strong gap winds Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning with
  gusts of 70 to 80 mph possible.

- Temperatures warm through the week with highs in the mid 40s to
  mid 50s by Thursday.

West Coast and Western Interior...
- Tranquil conditions today and tomorrow with seasonably mild
  temperatures.

- A Northern Pacific low moves in on Wednesday with widespread
  rain and snow.
	- Higher terrain above 1500 feet will remain mostly all snow.
	- SW Alaska and Western Interior should begin as all snow
   Wednesday morning into the afternoon, then change to rain in
   the valleys/under 1500 feet during mid to late afternoon.
	- Coastal areas will be a bit colder and stay snow through the
   evening.
	- Nome and the Seward Peninsula will be right on the changeover
   line. Eastern Seward Peninsula looks to change to rain
   Wednesday night, while the western Seward Peninsula may stay
   all snow.

Snowfall Totals:
- There will be a wide range with the potential for 6 inches or
  more above 1500 feet. 2 to 8 inches along the coast (Heaviest
  along the YK Delta Coast). 1 to 4 in Western Interior Valleys.

- Most precipitation ends Thursday night into Friday.

North Slope and Brooks Range..
- Fog and stratus along the North Slope will gradually exit today
  through tomorrow afternoon.

- Winter Storm Watches for blizzard conditions issued for strong
  easterly winds and falling light snow Thursday through Friday
  along the Arctic Coast.

- Light snow in the Brooks Range is likely Thursday morning and
  may become heavier in the afternoon.
	- Snow looks to diminish in coverage during the evening and
   overnight.

&&

.FORECAST ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION...
Not much change from yesterday in terms of the analysis. A 521
decameter low in the Northern Gulf of Alaska is providing snow to
the Interior which has been heavy at times in isolated spots. This
snow will move east tonight as the low pushes into the southern
Yukon and northern British Columbia Territories. Brief ridging
moves over Northern Alaska tomorrow before a low in the Pacific
moves to near Unalaska at 510 decameters Wednesday morning. This
low will be moving northeast up the Alaska Peninsula on Wednesday
and into Thursday. A widespread wintry mess is expected in
Western Alaska on these days. Plenty of snow, rain and gusty winds
are expected to occur. Fortunately, impacts look to be low since
total precipitation as wind gusts won't be super high. However,
there may be a freeze up concern later in the week as any wet
surfaces freeze Friday night as temperatures drop quickly.
Nonetheless, this low will move north into the Western Interior
and dissipate. As it does so, strong winds will be ramping up
along the Arctic Coast with light snow and blowing snow likely.
Blizzard conditions are possible along the entire Arctic Coastline
Thursday into Friday. Rain and snow showers are possible in the
Interior by then.

&&

.EXTENDED FORECAST DAYS 4-7...
Deterministic models are in decent agreement on some features in
the extended period. One of which is a low in the Bering moving
towards Bristol Bay this weekend. It doesn't look all that strong,
at around 1000mb. But it can bring another round of mixed snow and
rain to portions of the West Coast and Western Interior. In the
Central/Eastern Interior, there may be some scattered rain and
snow showers as remnant energy from the West Coast low moves
overhead and out of the area to the east. Along the Arctic Coast,
possible blizzard conditions and blowing snow look to subside on
Friday with areas of light snow possible as far out as Saturday.
Seasonable conditions look to return by Sunday and early next
week. In the Brooks Range, snow will be around from Friday through
Sunday with high pressure taking over early next week.

Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...None

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AK...Winter Storm Watch for AKZ801.
     Winter Storm Watch for AKZ802>805.
     High Wind Watch for AKZ837-849.
     High Wind Watch for AKZ847.
PK...Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ814-815.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ860.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ861.
&&

Bianco