Alert archive / Alaska / Blizzard Warnings in 2026

Blizzard Warning 1, NWS Fairbanks, AK

January 4, 2026Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska

NWS Fairbanks, AK issued this blizzard warning at Jan 4, 2026, 9:16 AM AKST for Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska. It took effect at Jan 4, 2026, 3:00 PM AKST. It was in force for 21 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
Jan 4, 2026, 9:16 AM AKST (18:16 UTC)
In effect from
Jan 4, 2026, 3:00 PM AKST
Expired
Jan 5, 2026, 11:32 AM AKST
In force
21 hr
Issued by
NWS Fairbanks, AK

County Kusilvak Census Area, AK

The radar

The Bethel radar (PABC), 195 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:20 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Bethel, (PBET), launched 12:00Z, 6.3 hours before the alert went out and 199 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, Bethel, at 12:00Z on 2026-01-04Temperature 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, Bethel, at 12:00Z on 2026-01-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 68 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
1135 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
103 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
68 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
173 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

589 
WWAK42 PAFG 041816
WSWWCZ

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
916 AM AKST Sun Jan 4 2026

AKZ825-826-050700-
/O.UPG.PAFG.WS.A.0001.260105T0000Z-260106T1200Z/
/O.NEW.PAFG.BZ.W.0001.260105T0000Z-260106T1200Z/
Yukon Delta Coast-Lower Yukon River-
Including the cities of Alakanuk, Hooper Bay, Kotlik, Russian
Mission, Scammon Bay, Mountain Village, St Marys, Pilot Station,
Nunam Iqua, Chevak, Emmonak, and Marshall
916 AM AKST Sun Jan 4 2026

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

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations 
  between 3 and 8 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.

* WHERE...Lower Yukon River and Yukon Delta Coast.

* WHEN...From 3 PM this afternoon to 3 AM AKST Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and 
  blowing snow. Travel could be very difficult.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The heaviest snow is expected Sunday 
  afternoon through Monday morning. Conditions are expected to 
  slowly improve through Monday afternoon into Tuesday. Snowfall 
  totals increase further south and decrease further north.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, 
have a winter survival kit with you.

&&

$$

AKZ830-851-852-050700-
/O.UPG.PAFG.WS.A.0001.260105T0600Z-260106T1200Z/
/O.NEW.PAFG.WS.W.0001.260105T0600Z-260106T1200Z/
Lower Yukon and Innoko Valleys-North Slopes of the Western Alaska
Range-Upper Kuskokwim Valley-
Including the cities of Nikolai, Anvik, Shageluk, Takotna,
Grayling, Holy Cross, McGrath, and Farewell Lake
916 AM AKST Sun Jan 4 2026

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 3 AM 
AKST TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 6 and 
  12 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...Lower Yukon and Innoko Valleys, North Slopes of the 
  Western Alaska Range, and Upper Kuskokwim Valley.

* WHEN...From 9 PM this evening to 3 AM AKST Tuesday.

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

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The greatest snowfall accumulations are 
  expected closer to the Western Alaska Range diminishing further 
  north and west. The strongest wind gusts are expected along hills 
  and summits and may lead to periods of reduced visibility due to 
  blowing and falling snow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Travel should be delayed if possible. 

&&

$$
2 follow-up statements
312 
WWAK42 PAFG 050630
WSWWCZ

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
930 PM AKST Sun Jan 4 2026

AKZ825-826-060100-
/O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260106T1200Z/
Yukon Delta Coast-Lower Yukon River-
Including the cities of Alakanuk, Mountain Village, Nunam Iqua,
Emmonak, St Marys, Marshall, Pilot Station, Russian Mission,
Chevak, Scammon Bay, Kotlik, and Hooper Bay
930 PM AKST Sun Jan 4 2026

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM AKST TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations 
  between 3 and 8 inches. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph.

* WHERE...Lower Yukon River and Yukon Delta Coast.

* WHEN...Until 3 AM AKST Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Visibilities will drop below 1/4 mile at times due to 
  falling and blowing snow. Travel could be very difficult.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The heaviest snow is expected through Monday 
  morning. Conditions are expected to slowly improve through Monday 
  afternoon and into Tuesday. Highest snowfall totals with the most 
  blowing snow will be from Scammon Bay south. The lowest snow 
  accumulations will be north of Mountain Village.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, 
have a winter survival kit with you.

&&

$$

AKZ830-851-852-060100-
/O.CON.PAFG.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260106T1200Z/
Lower Yukon and Innoko Valleys-North Slopes of the Western Alaska
Range-Upper Kuskokwim Valley-
Including the cities of McGrath, Takotna, Grayling, Nikolai, Holy
Cross, Farewell Lake, Anvik, and Shageluk
930 PM AKST Sun Jan 4 2026

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM AKST TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 6 and 
  12 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...Lower Yukon and Innoko Valleys, North Slopes of the 
  Western Alaska Range, and Upper Kuskokwim Valley.

* WHEN...Until 3 AM AKST Tuesday.

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

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The greatest snowfall accumulations are 
  expected closer from Nikolai to Takotna and south from there. 
  Lesser amounts are expected northwest of Takotna, with 3 to 6 
  inches expected from Grayling northward. The strongest wind gusts 
  are expected in hills and at the summits and may lead to periods 
  of reduced visibility due to blowing and falling snow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Travel should be delayed if possible. 

&&

$$

BB
409 
WWAK42 PAFG 052032
WSWWCZ

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
1132 AM AKST Mon Jan 5 2026

AKZ825-826-061200-
/O.CAN.PAFG.BZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260106T1200Z/
/O.NEW.PAFG.WW.Y.0001.260105T2032Z-260106T1200Z/
Yukon Delta Coast-Lower Yukon River-
Including the cities of Russian Mission, St Marys, Kotlik,
Marshall, Mountain Village, Emmonak, Chevak, Pilot Station,
Alakanuk, Scammon Bay, Nunam Iqua, and Hooper Bay
1132 AM AKST Mon Jan 5 2026

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM AKST TUESDAY...
...BLIZZARD WARNING IS CANCELLED...

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations up to one inch. Winds 
  gusting as high as 40 mph.

* WHERE...Lower Yukon River and Yukon Delta Coast.

* WHEN...Until 3 AM AKST Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Visibilities will drop to 1/2 mile at times due to 
  falling and blowing snow. Travel could be difficult.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Use caution while traveling.

&&

$$

AKZ830-851-852-061200-
/O.CON.PAFG.WS.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260106T1200Z/
Lower Yukon and Innoko Valleys-North Slopes of the Western Alaska
Range-Upper Kuskokwim Valley-
Including the cities of Takotna, Grayling, Anvik, Holy Cross,
McGrath, Nikolai, Shageluk, and Farewell Lake
1132 AM AKST Mon Jan 5 2026

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM AKST TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations between 2 and 5 
  inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...Lower Yukon and Innoko Valleys, North Slopes of the 
  Western Alaska Range, and Upper Kuskokwim Valley.

* WHEN...Until 3 AM AKST Tuesday.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in 
case of an emergency.

Persons should delay travel if possible. If travel is absolutely 
necessary then travel with extreme caution and be prepared for 
sudden changes in visibility.

&&

$$

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 Jan 4, 7:00 AM AKST, 2 hours 16 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 4, 7:00 AM AKST, 2 hours 16 minutes before
Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
700 AM AKST Sun Jan 4 2026

.SYNOPSIS...
Very cold and dry conditions will continue across Northern Alaska
today, with air temperatures across much of our region in the
20s/30s/40s below zero, as coldest spots reach down to the 50s to
around 60 below zero. Wind chills at times will be even colder,
especially as we see an increase in winds early this week. Light
snow showers and breezy winds will also persist for St. Lawrence
Island and YK Delta through this morning. A low pressure system
in the southern Bering Sea will move into Southern Alaska this
evening into Monday. This system will bring in a wetter and warmer
airmass, along with an increased winds as widespread snow moves
in. Snow chances will steadily build in from this evening into
Monday and Tuesday, lifting southwest to northeast across the
Interior through the week with increasing winds and warmer
temperatures. Winter Storm Watches and High Wind Watches have been
issued for where the strongest winds and highest snow totals are
expected across portions of the West Coast and Southwestern
Interior.

&&

.KEY WEATHER MESSAGES...

Central and Eastern Interior...

- Persistent, very cold conditions in the Interior remain in
  place, with clear and calm conditions as temperatures stay well
  below normal through Monday.

- Widespread temperatures in the 30s/40s below zero or colder will
  continue with 50s/60s below zero in the coldest spots.

- A Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect through Monday for the
  Central/Eastern Interior. Areas of dense ice fog are ongoing in
  the Fairbanks area and are expected to continue through the
  weekend. Patchy ice fog is also expected outside of FNSB.

- Snow chances and an increase in E/NE winds are expected to
  return Monday into Tuesday across the Interior, leading to
  warmer temperatures and widespread snow chances through midweek.
  Total snow accumulations of around 1-4", locally higher around
  4-8" especially in the Alaska Range.

- Temperatures will see a warming trend Monday into Tuesday with
  increased cloud cover, winds, and snow chances, before cooling
  back down for Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures are expected
  to remain below zero regionwide for most.

West Coast and Western Interior...

- Widespread temperatures in the 20s/30s below zero will continue,
  with 40s/50s below in the coldest spots. Warmest conditions are
  expected further southwest.

- A Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect through Monday for
  portions of the Western Interior, where temperatures in the
  40s/50s below zero and patchy ice fog remain possible.

- A low pressure system in the Bering Sea will move into Southern
  Alaska today into Monday as E/NE winds steadily increase and
  widespread snow chances build into the West Coast and Western
  Interior.

- High Wind Watches and Winter Storm Watches have been issued to
  capture the strongest winds and heaviest snow potential. Much of
  the Seward Peninsula and NW Arctic Coast will remain dry and
  windy with this event as the bulk of snow stays focused further
  south.

North Slope and Brooks Range...

- Very cold and dry conditions will remain in place over the North
  Slope into early next week. Widespread temperatures in the
  20s/30s below zero will persist, with 40s/50s below in the
  coldest spots.

- A Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect through Monday for the
  Eastern North Slope/Brooks Range for wind chills as low as 65 to
  70 below zero, particularly along the Arctic Coast.

- Winds will see an increase Monday into Tuesday as snow chances
  showers build in Tuesday into Wednesday. Strongest winds are
  expected along the NW Arctic Coast and higher elevations.

- A High Wind Watch has been issued for the NW Arctic Coast from
  Point Hope to Point Lay where strongest winds are expected.

&&

.FORECAST ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION...
At the 500 mb level, troughing extends from Northwest Territories
west into northeastern Alaska, while ridging is in place
extending from the North Pacific into the eastern Aleutians/
southeastern Bering Sea. At the 850 mb level, temperatures in the
eastern two-thirds of the Mainland north of the Alaska Range vary
from around -20 C to -30 C, with largely clear conditions in
place. At the surface, temperatures are widely in the -40s and
-50s F in much of the lower elevations of the Interior (and near
-60 F in spots), with somewhat warmer conditions (but still very
cold and occasionally in the -40s) on the North Slope. Over the
southern Bering Sea, a low with a surface pressure in the lower
950s mb has just shifted north of the Aleutians and will
initially shift north and then east over the next few days,
bringing the next round of significant weather to the area.

As the low moves eastward, temperatures will rise considerably
across the Interior, with many areas seeing upwards of 30-40
degrees of temperature rise. Arctic troughing aloft will
shift/extend west into Western Alaska and allow for south flow on
its eastern periphery, which may aid in warming. East winds will
pick up all along the West Coast and a frontal band on the low's
leading edge will begin to drop snowfall first over the southern
Yukon Delta area and Lower Yukon Valley this evening, then spread
into the Western Interior late tonight into tomorrow. Winds in
coastal locations could exceed 30 mph with gusts potentially
upwards of 50 mph in spots, so high wind watches have been issued
for St. Lawrence Island and the Bering Strait/Northwest Arctic
coasts. In parts of the YK Delta, winds could blow snow to induce
low visibilities with blizzard conditions possible and a winter
storm watch in effect.

By Tuesday morning, snowfall will have spread into the Central
and parts of the Eastern Interior. During this time frame, heavier
snowfall rates are possible in parts of the Southwestern
Interior, with model guidance depicting saturation in the
dendritic growth zone supporting high snow-to-liquid ratios,
especially near McGrath. These areas could see accumulations of
5-10 inches, for which a winter storm watch has been issued for
snowfall. Lower totals of 1-4 inches are possible farther east
through Wednesday morning.

&&

.EXTENDED FORECAST DAYS 4-7...
Moving into Wednesday/D4, light snow will linger in the
Central/Eastern Interior through Friday, although coverage will be
sparser. By Wednesday into Thursday, Arctic troughing over
Eastern Alaska will have shifted/extended into Western Alaska,
with temperatures Wednesday night into Thursday widely falling
back into the -30s F (with colder temperatures limited by cloud
cover. By Friday into Saturday, south flow may take hold across
much of the Interior and lead to moderate warming, although
potential for an exit to the current cold paradigm looks to not
begin until early next week / after the extended forecast period.

Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...None

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AK...High Wind Watch for AKZ801.
     Cold Weather Advisory for AKZ804-805-808>812-828-829-831>847-849-
     851-852.
     Winter Storm Watch for AKZ830-851-852.
     High Wind Watch for AKZ820-821.
     Winter Storm Watch for AKZ825-826.
     High Wind Watch for AKZ827.
PK...Gale Warning for PKZ801.
     Gale Warning for PKZ802-803-852-853.
     Gale Warning for PKZ804-806.
     Gale Warning for PKZ805.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ807-812-856-858.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ808-855.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ809.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ810.
     Gale Warning for PKZ811-857.
     Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ816-817-851-854.
     Gale Warning for PKZ816-817.
     Gale Warning for PKZ850.
     Storm Warning for PKZ851.
     Storm Warning for PKZ854.
&&

DS

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 3, 3:48 PM AKSTBrisk Wind AdvisoryAFG3 days
Jan 3, 3:49 PM AKSTBrisk Wind AdvisoryAFG24 hr
Jan 3, 3:49 PM AKSTGale WarningAFG3 days
Jan 4, 3:45 AM AKSTGale WarningAFG48 hr
Jan 4, 3:46 AM AKSTBrisk Wind AdvisoryAFG4 days
Jan 4, 3:46 AM AKSTGale WarningAFG3 days
Jan 4, 3:46 AM AKSTStorm WarningAFG24 hr
Jan 4, 9:06 AM AKSTHigh Wind WarningAFGNome Census Area42 hr
Jan 4, 9:16 AM AKSTWinter Storm WarningAFGYukon-Koyukuk Census Area42 hr

Nearby

Blizzard Warnings in Alaska, 2026Every blizzard warning in 2026

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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.