Alert archive / Alaska / Blizzard Warnings in 2026
Blizzard Warning 28, NWS Fairbanks, AK
NWS Fairbanks, AK issued this blizzard warning at Apr 18, 2026, 11:20 AM AKDT for Nome Census Area, Alaska. It was in force for 25 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
- Apr 18, 2026, 11:20 AM AKDT (19:20 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 19, 2026, 12:16 PM AKDT
- In force
- 25 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Fairbanks, AK
County Nome Census Area, AK
The radar
The Nome radar (PAEC), 82 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:22 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
Nome Ap, (POME), launched 12:00Z, 7.3 hours before the alert went out and 87 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
- 1239 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 49 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 14 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 57 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
456 WWAK42 PAFG 181920 WSWWCZ URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 1120 AM AKDT Sat Apr 18 2026 AKZ827-200015- /O.UPG.PAFG.WS.A.0027.260419T1500Z-260420T1800Z/ /O.NEW.PAFG.BZ.W.0028.260418T1920Z-260420T1800Z/ St Lawrence Island- Including the cities of Gambell and Savoonga 1120 AM AKDT Sat Apr 18 2026 ...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM AKDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Blizzard conditions. Total snow accumulations between 1 and 2 inches. Winds gusting as high as 65 mph. * WHERE...St Lawrence Island. * WHEN...Until 10 AM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. Very strong winds could result in power outages. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Strongest wind gusts will occur in Gambell. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. && $$ AKZ824-200015- /O.UPG.PAFG.WS.A.0027.260419T0800Z-260420T0000Z/ /O.EXB.PAFG.WS.W.0018.260419T0900Z-260420T1800Z/ Eastern Norton Sound and Nulato Hills- Including the cities of Unalakleet, Stebbins, Shaktoolik, St Michael, Koyuk, and Elim 1120 AM AKDT Sat Apr 18 2026 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM SUNDAY TO 10 AM AKDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 3 and 6 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...Eastern Norton Sound and Nulato Hills. * WHEN...From 1 AM Sunday to 10 AM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. && $$ AKZ829-200015- /O.UPG.PAFG.WS.A.0027.260419T0800Z-260420T0800Z/ /O.EXB.PAFG.WS.W.0018.260419T0900Z-260421T0000Z/ Middle Yukon Valley- Including the cities of Koyukuk, Nulato, Ruby, Galena, and Kaltag 1120 AM AKDT Sat Apr 18 2026 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM SUNDAY TO 4 PM AKDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 10 inches. * WHERE...Middle Yukon Valley. * WHEN...From 1 AM Sunday to 4 PM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. && $$ AKZ826-200015- /O.EXB.PAFG.WS.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260420T1800Z/ Lower Yukon River- Including the cities of Russian Mission, St Marys, Pilot Station, and Marshall 1120 AM AKDT Sat Apr 18 2026 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM AKDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Heavy snow and blowing snow. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 8 inches. Winds gusting as high as 30 mph. * WHERE...Lower Yukon River. * WHEN...Until 10 AM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Strongest wind gusts will be along the immediate coastline. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. && $$ AKZ830-852-200015- /O.EXB.PAFG.WS.W.0018.260419T0300Z-260421T0000Z/ Lower Yukon and Innoko Valleys-Upper Kuskokwim Valley- Including the cities of Holy Cross, Anvik, McGrath, Grayling, Takotna, Shageluk, and Nikolai 1120 AM AKDT Sat Apr 18 2026 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 PM AKDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 10 inches. * WHERE...Lower Yukon and Innoko Valleys and Upper Kuskokwim Valley. * WHEN...From 7 PM this evening to 4 PM AKDT Monday. * 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 your vehicle in case of an emergency. && $$ AKZ825-200015- /O.EXT.PAFG.WS.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260420T1800Z/ Yukon Delta Coast- Including the cities of Kotlik, Scammon Bay, Hooper Bay, Alakanuk, Mountain Village, Chevak, Emmonak, and Nunam Iqua 1120 AM AKDT Sat Apr 18 2026 ...WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM AKDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Heavy snow and blowing snow. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 8 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...Yukon Delta Coast. * WHEN...Until 10 AM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Strongest wind gusts will be along the immediate coastline. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. && $$
2 follow-up statements
965 WWAK42 PAFG 190242 WSWWCZ URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 642 PM AKDT Sat Apr 18 2026 AKZ827-200000- /O.CON.PAFG.BZ.W.0028.000000T0000Z-260420T1800Z/ St Lawrence Island- Including the cities of Savoonga and Gambell 642 PM AKDT Sat Apr 18 2026 ...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM AKDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Blizzard conditions. Total snow accumulations between 1 and 2 inches. Winds gusting as high as 65 mph. * WHERE...St Lawrence Island. * WHEN...Until 10 AM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. Very strong winds could result in power outages. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Strongest wind gusts will occur in Gambell. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. && $$ AKZ825-826-200000- /O.CON.PAFG.WS.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260420T1800Z/ Yukon Delta Coast-Lower Yukon River- Including the cities of Russian Mission, Alakanuk, Hooper Bay, Mountain Village, Kotlik, Chevak, St Marys, Pilot Station, Nunam Iqua, Marshall, Emmonak, and Scammon Bay 642 PM AKDT Sat Apr 18 2026 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM AKDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations between 4 and 7 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Yukon Delta Coast. * WHEN...Until 10 AM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. && $$ AKZ830-852-200000- /O.CON.PAFG.WS.W.0018.260419T0300Z-260421T0000Z/ Lower Yukon and Innoko Valleys-Upper Kuskokwim Valley- Including the cities of Holy Cross, Anvik, Nikolai, McGrath, Takotna, Grayling, and Shageluk 642 PM AKDT Sat Apr 18 2026 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM AKDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 10 inches. * WHERE...Lower Yukon and Innoko Valleys and Upper Kuskokwim Valley. * WHEN...Until 4 PM AKDT Monday. * 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 your vehicle in case of an emergency. && $$ AKZ824-200000- /O.CON.PAFG.WS.W.0018.260419T0900Z-260420T1800Z/ Eastern Norton Sound and Nulato Hills- Including the cities of St Michael, Koyuk, Unalakleet, Elim, Shaktoolik, and Stebbins 642 PM AKDT Sat Apr 18 2026 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM SUNDAY TO 10 AM AKDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 3 and 6 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...Eastern Norton Sound and Nulato Hills. * WHEN...From 1 AM Sunday to 10 AM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. && $$ AKZ829-200000- /O.CON.PAFG.WS.W.0018.260419T0900Z-260421T0000Z/ Middle Yukon Valley- Including the cities of Kaltag, Ruby, Koyukuk, Galena, and Nulato 642 PM AKDT Sat Apr 18 2026 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM SUNDAY TO 4 PM AKDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 10 inches. * WHERE...Middle Yukon Valley. * WHEN...From 1 AM Sunday to 4 PM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. && $$ AKZ820-821-200000- /O.NEW.PAFG.WW.Y.0056.260419T0242Z-260421T0000Z/ Shishmaref-Bering Strait Coast- Including the cities of Brevig Mission, Shishmaref, Diomede, Teller, and Wales 642 PM AKDT Sat Apr 18 2026 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM AKDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Blowing and drifting snow. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...Bering Strait Coast and Diomede. * WHEN...Until 4 PM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel may be impacted. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility to 1/2 mile or less at times. Heavy snow drifts may develop. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Northeast winds shift more northerly Sunday morning. Little to no additional falling snow is expected. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. Visit 511.alaska.gov or call 5 1 1 for the latest road conditions. && $$
436 WWAK42 PAFG 192016 WSWWCZ URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 1216 PM AKDT Sun Apr 19 2026 AKZ827-210000- /O.CAN.PAFG.BZ.W.0028.000000T0000Z-260420T1800Z/ /O.EXA.PAFG.WW.Y.0056.000000T0000Z-260421T0000Z/ St Lawrence Island- Including the cities of Gambell and Savoonga 1216 PM AKDT Sun Apr 19 2026 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM AKDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow. Additional snow accumulations up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph. * WHERE...St Lawrence Island. * WHEN...Until 4 PM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Visibilities may drop below 1/2 mile due to falling and blowing snow. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Strongest winds will occur in Gambell. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. && $$ AKZ825-826-192130- /O.CAN.PAFG.WS.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260420T1800Z/ Yukon Delta Coast-Lower Yukon River- Including the cities of Chevak, St Marys, Russian Mission, Alakanuk, Scammon Bay, Marshall, Emmonak, Nunam Iqua, Pilot Station, Kotlik, Hooper Bay, and Mountain Village 1216 PM AKDT Sun Apr 19 2026 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IS CANCELLED... Winds have subsided and visibility has begun to broadly improve, therefore the Winter Storm Warning has been cancelled. Additional snowfall accumulations of around 1-3" are expected through Monday with another round of wind gusts up to 30 mph (particularly along the coast) Monday afternoon through Monday night. Areas of falling and or blowing snow could reduce visibility below one mile at times. Use caution when traveling. $$ AKZ824-201800- /O.CON.PAFG.WS.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260420T1800Z/ Eastern Norton Sound and Nulato Hills- Including the cities of St Michael, Elim, Shaktoolik, Stebbins, Koyuk, and Unalakleet 1216 PM AKDT Sun Apr 19 2026 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM AKDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow. Additional snow accumulations between 2 and 4 inches. Winds gusting as high as 30 mph. * WHERE...Eastern Norton Sound and Nulato Hills. * WHEN...Until 10 AM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult. Visibilities may drop below 1/2 mile due to falling and blowing snow. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. && $$ AKZ829-210000- /O.CON.PAFG.WS.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260421T0000Z/ Middle Yukon Valley- Including the cities of Ruby, Galena, Koyukuk, Nulato, and Kaltag 1216 PM AKDT Sun Apr 19 2026 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM AKDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations between 4 and 8 inches. * WHERE...Middle Yukon Valley. * WHEN...Until 4 PM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. && $$ AKZ830-852-210000- /O.CON.PAFG.WS.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260421T0000Z/ Lower Yukon and Innoko Valleys-Upper Kuskokwim Valley- Including the cities of McGrath, Shageluk, Grayling, Takotna, Anvik, Nikolai, and Holy Cross 1216 PM AKDT Sun Apr 19 2026 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM AKDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow. Additional snow accumulations between 3 and 5 inches. Winds gusting as high as 30 mph. * WHERE...Lower Yukon and Innoko Valleys and Upper Kuskokwim Valley. * WHEN...Until 4 PM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Visit 511.alaska.gov or call 5 1 1 for the latest road conditions. && $$ AKZ820-821-210000- /O.CON.PAFG.WW.Y.0056.000000T0000Z-260421T0000Z/ Shishmaref-Bering Strait Coast- Including the cities of Wales, Brevig Mission, Shishmaref, Teller, and Diomede 1216 PM AKDT Sun Apr 19 2026 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM AKDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Blowing and drifting snow. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...Bering Strait Coast and Diomede. * WHEN...Until 4 PM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility to 1/2 mile or less at times. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Use caution while traveling, especially in open areas. && $$
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 Apr 18, 6:52 AM AKDT, 4 hours 28 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 18, 6:52 AM AKDT, 4 hours 28 minutes before
Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
652 AM AKDT Sat Apr 18 2026
.SYNOPSIS...
Unsettled weather continues across Northern Alaska. A front
pushing into the area today will yield strong east to northeast
winds across the West Coast, with an extensive band of
precipitation bringing the potential for several inches of snow to
the Western and Central Interior. In areas of the West Coast where
strong winds can combine with fallen or falling snow, blowing snow
conditions reducing visibility will be possible. Heavy snow is
ongoing for the eastern Alaska Range south of Trims camp and will
continue through this afternoon before diminishing. As the next
round of precipitation with the front enters the Central/Eastern
Interior, this heavy precipitation will pick up again, with slick
conditions possible at times. There is some uncertainty on
potential snow totals in the Middle/Upper Tanana Valley, but with
showery activity in the area, up to a few inches could occur.
Temperatures will be cooler in Western Alaska today but will
recover tomorrow, with a more significant drop on Tuesday next
week. The Central and Eastern Interior will also see temperatures
fall to a lesser extent during the latter time frame. Another
system will affect the area by the middle of next week, with more
snow and mixed precipitation possible, especially in Western
Alaska.
&&
.KEY WEATHER MESSAGES...
Central and Eastern Interior...
- Moderate snow is expected in the Eastern AK Range south of Trims
Camp through this afternoon with another 3 to 6 inches of snow
expected.
- More impactful weather arrives on Sunday as a front pushes snow,
heavy at times to much of the Interior. The snow has a 40%
chance to mix with rain Sunday evening into early Monday morning
in the Middle Tanana Valley as temperatures rise near and above
freezing.
* Any rain changes back to snow on Monday resulting in a
slushy mess of accumulations in the valleys. The higher
terrain above 1000ft will likely remain all snow throughout
the event.
* Snowfall totals will range between 2 and 4 inches in the
valleys with between 3 and 7 inches in the terrain around
Fairbanks.
* One important note is, if there is rain, it can lead to
flooding or pooling/ponding of water since the ground is
still frozen, leaving nowhere for the water to drain.
- Any wet/slushy spots will likely refreeze Monday morning and
especially Tuesday morning as temperatures drop below freezing.
West Coast and Western Interior...
- A front will bring very strong wind to most of the West Coast,
with the strongest wind being in the Bering Strait, where
northeast winds could gust up to 65 mph.
- This same front also provides snow beginning this morning in the
Yukon Delta and gradually traversing north and east through
tonight and Sunday.
* Rain will likely mix with the snow in the Lower Yukon and
Upper Kuskokwim Valleys from Mountain Village to McGrath
with the best chances being Sunday afternoon through Monday
morning.
* Prior to the rain, snow amounts will be around 4 to 7
inches. North of the mixing line, snow amounts will range
between 5 to 10 inches from Ruby to Kaltag (highest in
Kaltag) and 3 to 6 inches in the Kobuk Valley.
- Any rain across the area will change back to light snow and snow
showers Monday afternoon which will linger into Tuesday.
- Winds will also gradually weaken on Monday and Tuesday. Another
system looks to move into the area on Wednesday.
North Slope and Brooks Range..
- Generally quiet weather on the North Slope with unseasonably
cold temperatures continuing into next week.
- Light snow continues in the Central Brooks Range through this
evening with only light accumulations around 1 to 2 inches
expected.
- Another area of snow arrives on Sunday, particularly
late in the day and gradually traverses north to the coast
Sunday night and Monday.
* This second round of snow will bring another 1 to 3 inches
in the North-Central Brooks Range with around 1 inch on the
North Slope.
&&
.FORECAST ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION...
Active, unsettled weather continues through next week across
Northern Alaska. Elongated troughing aloft from over the Arctic
(with minimum 500 mb heights of around 512 dm) extends across the
North Slope and the Seward Peninsula. At the 850 mb level,
temperatures are around −22C at 850 mb over the North Slope and
−15C over the Seward Peninsula. Cold air associated with this area
of troughing along with northerly winds will permit colder
surface high temperatures today in Western Alaska; highs on the
Seward Peninsula/coastal areas are expected to be in the single
digits and teens above zero, with highs in the Western Interior in
the mid to upper 20s from around Galena north. Scattered showers
continue across an area extending from Norton Sound to the Central
Brooks Range and are receiving dynamic support from a shortwave
trough moving northeastward across the Interior. More numerous
showers are occurring across the Alaska Range and will persist
through the next few days. Snow will be heaviest on the southern
side of the Eastern Alaska Range south of Trims Camp; near the
Richardson Highway, some surface melting during the daytime
periods followed by later refreezing could result in slick
road conditions.
The primary weather maker for the next few days will be an
extratropical cyclone over the southern Bering Sea. The minimum
central pressure of the low-pressure center of this system is
estimated to be around 960 mb. While the surface low will be
fairly strong (and vertically-stacked with its corresponding upper
low), it will not directly affect land at this intensity; the
primary impacts will instead occur along the leading warm front
well east of the low, where brisk easterly to northeasterly winds
will blow across the northern Bering Sea and adjacent coastal
areas. In the Bering Strait and through the Chukchi Sea, they will
have a more northerly orientation. The front will move ashore
over the YK Delta by this afternoon/evening and with it, a broad
line of precipitation will begin to affect the area while moving
in a consistent southwest-to-northeast direction. Ridging over
the eastern Aleutians ahead of this system will push eastward,
with meridional flow setting up over southcentral Alaska. By this
afternoon and evening, snow showers in the southern Alaska Range
should dwindle. Tonight into tomorrow, ahead of the upcoming
front, additional showers will develop in the Central/Eastern
Interior and may be convectively driven, with many forming off the
higher terrain. These showers will likely continue through
Saturday evening, and their precipitation type could be diurnally-
driven in the valleys, with rain more likely during the
afternoon/evening hours. Heavy snow on the south side of the
Alaska Range will likewise resume tonight, with upslope flow
supporting high snowfall rates at times. There could still be some
messiness, with potential icy/slick conditions again possible.
The front itself will largely affect the Western and Central
Interior from Sunday through Tuesday. In these areas, liquid-
equivalent precipitation could range significantly, with lower
totals around 0.2 inches on the margins to higher totals of ~0.7
inches near the center of the main band. In spite of some briefly
warmer temperatures with the initial warm front, temperatures even
in valleys locations in the Western Interior will remain fairly
cool, with most precipitation falling as snow. The best chances
for any daytime rain mixing in with snow will be in the Lower
Upper Kuskokwim and Lower Yukon Valleys. Snow ratios could be
high; models soundings indicate potential for saturated dendritic
growth zones which could support ratios of 15:1 or higher at
times. This will allow for many areas to potentially receive 6
inches or more of snow through Tuesday morning, especially between
the Lower Yukon Valley and Bettles. The Dalton Highway Summits,
White Mountains, and Yukon Uplands could also potentially see
several inches of snow accumulation. There is uncertainty on snow
totals for the Middle and Upper Tanana Valleys, but ensemble
guidance supports the potential for at least a few tenths of an
inch of liquid equivalent precipitation with numerous showers in
the area, especially Sunday night into Monday morning. If this
were to verify, multiple inches of snow would be possible in the
area (although this could be affected by melting during afternoon
periods).
While snow totals across much of the West Coast/St. Lawrence
Island will likely be lower than inland, blowing snow will be
possible where fresh or especially falling snow can combine with
strong winds. Blizzard conditions are possible over both the YK
Delta and St. Lawrence Island, but potential will depend on how
much snowfall either area can get (and how winds coincide with
falling snow). On Sunday, while there will generally be zonal
flow aloft over the Alaska Range, which is not usually supportive
of gap winds, there will be a strong surface pressure gradient of
about 6 to 8 mb across the mountains. This will permit
breezy/gusty winds through the passes. Easterly winds will also
pick up on the eastern Arctic Coast from Sunday into Monday night
as high pressure develops over the Beaufort Sea.
&&
.EXTENDED FORECAST DAYS 4-7...
Tuesday in Wednesday, cold air with the Arctic trough will again
dip into Western Alaska, dropping highs below freezing. It will
then wrap eastward behind the last remaining snow showers in the
Interior from the previous system and cause high temperatures on
Tuesday to fall into the mid or low 30s even in the warmer valley
areas. This will be short-lived, as another system entering the
eastern Bering Sea pushes a warm front across the area which will
push the cold air back out. Along the front, as with the previous
system, winds will generally be easterly and strongest over the
water. It will also bring another round of precipitation, with
better chances for rain or rain/snow mix in the Western Interior
than with the first system given the warmer airmass. The
precipitation band moves in a more south-to-north direction, which
will also limit the precipitation in the Central/Eastern Interior
to a greater extent while allowing for much more to fall over the
western North Slope. By the late week period, highs in parts of
the Interior could rise into the 50s, with highs on the West Coast
rising back above freezing and highs on the North Slope rising
into the teens above.
Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...None
&&
.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AK...Wind Advisory for AKZ849.
Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ850.
Winter Storm Watch for AKZ850.
Winter Storm Watch for AKZ824.
Winter Storm Warning for AKZ825.
Winter Storm Watch for AKZ827.
Winter Storm Watch for AKZ829.
Winter Storm Watch for AKZ832.
PK...Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ801.
Gale Warning for PKZ802.
Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ803-852.
Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ804-805.
Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ806-807-810-811-856-857.
Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ816.
Gale Warning for PKZ816-817.
Gale Warning for PKZ850.
Storm Warning for PKZ851.
Gale Warning for PKZ853.
Storm Warning for PKZ854.
&&
DSThe office that day
Everything else NWS Fairbanks, AK issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 18, 3:46 AM AKDT | Brisk Wind Advisory | AFG | 3 days | |
| Apr 18, 3:46 AM AKDT | Gale Warning | AFG | 36 hr | |
| Apr 18, 3:46 AM AKDT | Storm Warning | AFG | 36 hr | |
| Apr 18, 12:13 PM AKDT | Winter Storm Warning | AFG | Southeast Fairbanks Census Area | 49 hr |
| Apr 18, 12:13 PM AKDT | Winter Weather Advisory | AFG | Denali, Fairbanks North Star, Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area | 49 hr |
| Apr 18, 3:49 PM AKDT | Gale Warning | AFG | 12 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.