Blizzard Warning 15, NWS Fairbanks, AK

Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
248 PM AKST Sun Feb 15 2026

.SYNOPSIS...
Moderate snow is moving through the Central and Eastern Interior
leaving behind several inches of powdery snow in its wake. Light
snow and snow showers look to persist through Monday morning as
moisture remains over the Southern Interior. All eyes then turn to
the West Coast as a strong Bering Sea low brings heavy snow,
strong winds and blizzard conditions to most of the West Coast
and portions of the Western Interior Monday afternoon and
continuing into Wednesday. This front then moves into the Central
Interior with moderate and potentially heavy snow midweek.

&&

.KEY WEATHER MESSAGES...
Central and Eastern Interior...
- Moderate to heavy snow is moving east and will end tonight
  leaving only light snow and snow showers lingering through
  Monday morning.

- Monday for most spots will be a drying day and clear skies
  briefly return late Monday night leading to cold temps dropping
  into the 20s and 30s below zero.

- Tuesday will warm back up as clouds move in,There's a slight
  chance for light snow in the morning, though any snow won't
  accumulate too much (1 inch or less) and ends by the afternoon.

- Wednesday comes with steadier and heavier snow which may
  continue into Thursday. Several inches of snow are possible.

West Coast and Western Interior...
- A break in snow and wind continues through Monday morning, then
  a strong front brings heavy snow and strong wind gusts (60+ mph
  possible along the coast) Monday morning into Tuesday morning.
	- Blizzard conditions are likely for much of the coastline.
	- Additional snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches are possible
   along the coast. The highest accumulations looks to be on the
   Southern Seward Peninsula and St. Lawrence Island.

- Periods of snow and gusty winds continue through Wednesday in
  most spots. Strong winds and moderate to heavy snow is likely
  from Kotzebue Sound to Point Hope Tuesday afternoon into
  Wednesday.

- Significant blowing and drifting snow as well as whiteout
  conditions are possible as the front progresses northward Monday
  through Wednesday.

- Drier and colder weather begins to settle into the region
  towards the end of the week.

North Slope and Brooks Range..
- Mostly quiet weather continues through Monday afternoon. More
  active weather arriving Monday night into Tuesday.

- Light snow is expected to move onto the Western Brooks Range and
  Chukchi Sea Coast Tuesday morning bringing a fresh 1 to 3
  inches of blowable snow.

- Strong east/southeast winds expected for most of the day Tuesday
  with blizzard conditions possible once again in Point Lay, Point
  Hope and Wainwright.
	- Point Hope could see wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph Tuesday and
   begin to weaken Wednesday morning.

&&

.FORECAST ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION...
A shortwave trough is moving through the Central and Eastern
Interior with light to moderate snow remaining through the evening
and mostly ending overnight. Some light snow and snow showers may
linger in the southern Interior through tomorrow morning but dry
air will encompass the area ending all snow by the afternoon.
Temperatures in the Western Interior Valleys tomorrow morning
will drop into the 20s and 30s below zero while the Central and
Eastern Interior Valleys will drop into the 20s and 30s below zero
Tuesday morning.

The big story is a strong Bering Sea low which will move into the
Gulf of Anadyr tomorrow allowing for a potent front to bring
strong east-southeast winds to all of the West Coast beginning in
St. Lawrence Island and the Yukon Delta Coast Monday morning. This
front traverses to the Seward Peninsula by Monday night with wind
gusts upwards of 50 to 60 mph at times. Snow will be accompanied
by this front and be heavy at times. There will be widespread
blizzard conditions Monday through Tuesday morning from the
Seward Peninsula south. North of the Seward Peninsula will get
this front as well, but the bulk of the strongest winds and
heaviest snow will be Tuesday morning through Wednesday morning.
From Shishmaref to Point Hope, wind gusts will be upwards of 50 to
60 mph as well with whiteout conditions possible. After this first
front passes, a shortwave will wrap around the low with another
push of moisture and snow along the coast from Tuesday through
Wednesday. Snow totals will vary as there will be relatively low
ratios due to the strong winds. Most spots will see around 6
inches with localized areas seeing up to 12 inches along the
coast.

The Interior will get the remnants of the second moisture push. As
of now, there is still some uncertainty with how much snow will
fall, but increasing confidence in several inches of snow. The
snow will arrive in the Central Interior Wednesday morning and can
continue through Thursday and even Friday as lingering snow
showers. This should be another round of high ratio snow and with
models honing in on QPF values 0.30" to 0.40", there is a chance
for >6" over 2 days. Otherwise, the weather looks to calm down and
cool off for the most part this weekend.

&&

.EXTENDED FORECAST DAYS 4-7...
Snow will be scattered around the Interior and North Slope
Thursday and Friday. Saturday will be mostly dry with a cooling
trend in the Interior. Models this weekend are a bit different.
But they are hinting at the potential for another round of snow
this weekend, but it doesn't appear to be too significant. Past
this weekend, we will have to see if the NPAC ridge builds back
in, or if the shortwaves continue to suppress it.

Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...None

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AK...Winter Storm Watch for AKZ801-814>818.
     Winter Storm Watch for AKZ813-819-828>830-851-852.
     Winter Storm Watch for AKZ820>827.
     Winter Storm Warning for AKZ834-838>847.
PK...Gale Warning for PKZ801-802-817-850-854.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ803.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ804.
     Gale Warning for PKZ805-806-852.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ807-856.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ808>810-855.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ814.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ815.
     Gale Warning for PKZ816.
     Storm Warning for PKZ851.
     Gale Warning for PKZ853.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ861.
&&

Bianco