Alert archive / Alaska / Wind Advisories in 2026
Wind Advisory 5, NWS Fairbanks, AK
NWS Fairbanks, AK issued this wind advisory at Apr 17, 2026, 1:53 PM AKDT for Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska. It took effect at Apr 19, 2026, 4:00 AM AKDT. It was in force for 24 hr.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- Apr 17, 2026, 1:53 PM AKDT (21:53 UTC)
- In effect from
- Apr 19, 2026, 4:00 AM AKDT
- Expired
- Apr 20, 2026, 4:00 AM AKDT
- In force
- 24 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Fairbanks, AK
The radar
The Fairbanks Faa radar (PAPD), 249 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:52 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
Fairbanks, (PFAI), launched 12:00Z, 9.9 hours before the alert went out and 250 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
- 1390 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 34 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 31 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 80 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
861 WWAK73 PAFG 172153 NPWAFG URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 153 PM AKDT Fri Apr 17 2026 AKZ849-190000- /O.NEW.PAFG.WI.Y.0005.260419T1200Z-260421T0600Z/ Eastern Alaska Range North of Trims Camp- Including the cities of Black Rapids, the Richardson Highway from MP 224 to MP 259, and Donnelly Dome 153 PM AKDT Fri Apr 17 2026 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM SUNDAY TO 10 PM AKDT MONDAY... * WHAT...South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible. * WHERE...Eastern Alaska Range North of Trims Camp. * WHEN...From 4 AM Sunday to 10 PM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Periods of blowing snow may develop where strong winds and falling snow overlap. Visibilities may be reduced to 1/2 miles at times, with the highest chances occurring south of Trims Camp. The strongest winds are expected Sunday morning through Sunday afternoon. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. && $$ CS
3 follow-up statements
080 WWAK73 PAFG 182016 NPWAFG URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 1216 PM AKDT Sat Apr 18 2026 AKZ849-200000- /O.EXT.PAFG.WI.Y.0005.260419T1200Z-260420T1200Z/ Eastern Alaska Range North of Trims Camp- Including the cities of Black Rapids, the Richardson Highway from MP 224 to MP 259, and Donnelly Dome 1216 PM AKDT Sat Apr 18 2026 ...WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM SUNDAY TO 4 AM AKDT MONDAY... * WHAT...South winds 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Eastern Alaska Range North of Trims Camp. * WHEN...From 4 AM Sunday to 4 AM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and make travel difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Periods of blowing snow may develop where strong winds and falling snow overlap. Visibilities may be reduced to 1/2 miles at times, with the highest chances occurring south of Trims Camp. The strongest winds are expected Sunday morning through Sunday afternoon. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. && $$
146 WWAK73 PAFG 192028 NPWAFG URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 1228 PM AKDT Sun Apr 19 2026 AKZ849-201200- /O.CON.PAFG.WI.Y.0005.000000T0000Z-260420T1200Z/ Eastern Alaska Range North of Trims Camp- Including the cities of Donnelly Dome, the Richardson Highway from MP 224 to MP 259, and Black Rapids 1228 PM AKDT Sun Apr 19 2026 ...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM AKDT MONDAY... * WHAT...South winds 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. * WHERE...Eastern Alaska Range North of Trims Camp. * WHEN...Until 4 AM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and make travel difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Periods of blowing snow may develop where strong winds and falling snow overlap. Visibilities may be reduced to 1/2 miles at times, with the highest chances occurring south of Trims Camp. Strong winds will continue through Sunday afternoon and evening, gradually diminishing Sunday night into Monday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. && $$
692 WWAK73 PAFG 201138 NPWAFG URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 338 AM AKDT Mon Apr 20 2026 AKZ849-201245- /O.EXP.PAFG.WI.Y.0005.000000T0000Z-260420T1200Z/ Eastern Alaska Range North of Trims Camp- Including the cities of Donnelly Dome, the Richardson Highway from MP 224 to MP 259, and Black Rapids 338 AM AKDT Mon Apr 20 2026 ...WIND ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 4 AM AKDT EARLY THIS MORNING... Winds across the area have diminished. $$ AS/DS
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this wind advisory 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 wind advisory went out at Apr 17, 7:13 AM AKDT, 6 hours 40 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 17, 7:13 AM AKDT, 6 hours 40 minutes before
Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
713 AM AKDT Fri Apr 17 2026
.SYNOPSIS...
Unsettled weather will continue across Northern Alaska.
Substantial snow is ongoing and will continue through tomorrow for
the southern Alaska Range, especially near the Richardson Highway
south of Trims Camp, for which a Winter Weather Advisory is
currently in effect. Light, showery weather extending from the
Lower Yukon Valley into the Central and Eastern Interior
continues. These showers will be reinforced tomorrow by an
incoming frontal system which will bring robust moisture, with
signicant snow possible across parts of the West Coast and
extending well inland. This system will also bring brisk easterly
to northeasterly winds to the Bering Sea and adjacent coastal
areas, which could result in blowing snow conditions in places
where they can manage to combine with falling or recently fallen
snow. Temperatures will drop considerably in Western Alaska with a
cold airmass and northerly winds tomorrow before recovering
somewhat, with a more significant drop on Tuesday next week. The
Central and Eastern Interior will also see temperatures fall to a
lesser extent in the latter case.
&&
.KEY WEATHER MESSAGES...
Central and Eastern Interior...
- Rain and snow showers persist in the Interior with steadier
snow moving into the southern AK Range through Saturday.
* Snowfall totals will generally be less than 1 inch in the
Interior and around 6 to 12 inches south of Trims Camp with
up to 18 inches away from the road.
- High temperatures remain in the 30s and low 40s with low temps
in the teens and 20s. Warmest temps are expected to reside in
the Middle/Upper Tanana Valley.
- Another round of snow, potentially heavy again in the southern
AK Range Sunday through Tuesday with significant accumulations
possible. Lighter snow and rain possible in the Interior with
minor accumulations possible.
West Coast and Western Interior...
- Wind speeds along the Bering Strait with sustained winds around
15 to 25 mph continue this morning, but northeast winds
increase tomorrow afternoon and continue to to increase through
Saturday.
* Northeast wind gusts in St. Lawrence Island by Saturday
evening will be as high as 55 mph. Elsewhere along the
coast, expect northeast wind gusts around 25 to 45 mph with
the weakest being in Norton Sound.
- Steady snow moves into SW AK Saturday night and spreads
north/east through Sunday. Blowing snow and low visibility below
1 mile at times is possible in the YK Delta on Sunday.
* Snow accumulations from Sunday to Monday may be as high as
6 inches in portions of the Western Interior, especially in
higher terrain.
- Similar temperatures are expected today compared to yesterday.
A cooling trend arrives on Friday with highs in the teens and
20s from Shungnak to St. Lawrence Island. Highs in the low 30s
from Nome to Hooper Bay and mid to upper 30s in the Interior.
* Expect a continued cooling trend into Saturday with 20s to
near 30 hanging on in the YK Delta, teens and low 20s north
of there along the coast and upper 20s to mid 30s in the
Interior.
- Wind chills as low as −20F to −30F are possible in the Bering
Strait Region Saturday and Sunday as temperatures drop and winds
increase.
North Slope and Brooks Range...
- Areas of stratus and fog along the Arctic Coast will persist
through Saturday morning but there will be breaks Saturday
afternoon.
- Areas of snow move over the Central Brooks Range Friday night
and continues through Saturday and into Sunday.
* Snow totals around 3 to 7 inches are possible with the
heaviest being around Coldfoot/Wiseman and the lightest
being in Anaktuvuk/Atigun Pass.
- Light snow then moves to the North Slope with around 1 to 2
inches of snow from Umiat north and east.
- Temperatures remain chilly for the Brooks Range with highs
around 0 along the Beaufort Sea Coast, single digits in
Atigun/Anaktuvuk Pass, 10 to 20F near Point Hope and 20s to near
30 in the southern Brooks Range.
* Low temperatures will be in the single digits and teens
below zero from the Brooks Range northward with teens above
zero in around Wiseman/Coldfoot.
&&
.FORECAST ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION...
A long stretch of active weather continues across Northern
Alaska. A very cold ~508 dm Arctic trough is just beginning to
shift southward into the North Slope, with 850 mb temperatures of
around −22 C. A broad ridge extends across the eastern Gulf of
Alaska, with a ~524 dm upper-level (500 mb) low over the YK Delta.
The low is nearly vertically stacked with a very weak surface
low; ahead of this surface low, any remaining snow in the area
from yesterday has since moved north and east of the YK Delta,
with some residual lights showers in parts of the southwestern
Interior and Norton Sound areas. There are also a few light snow
showers in the Eastern Interior, mostly in the higher terrain,
although any accumulations will be minimal. With southerly flow at
500 mb and a surface gradient across the eastern Alaska Range of
around 2-4 mb, there are some moderate gap winds (gusting as high
as 30 to 40 mph) on the north side of Isabel Pass. These should
weaken by later this morning as as the gradient decreases. Later
today, a remnant shortwave from the upper low over the YK Delta
will combine with another shortwave crossing the Alaska Range to
yield snow showers across the northwestern Interior into the
Brooks Range which will continue through Saturday night.
Additional showers will form 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. On the south side of the Alaska Range, upsloping could lead
to heavy snowfall, especially in the Eastern Alaska Range / near
the Richardson Highway.
An extratropical cyclone (low) has just crossed the Aleutians
into the southern Bering Sea and has a central pressure of around
~980 mb. As it moves northeastward today, it is expected to
eventually attain a minimum central pressure of around ~965 mb by
tonight into tomorrow. While the low-pressure center itself is
relatively strong, the strongest winds are generally expected to
be along the leading warm front and occluded front on the north
side of the system. Here, east to northeast gale-force winds will
begin to enter the northern Bering Sea by tomorrow morning. The
highest winds will mostly remain offshore except over St. Lawrence
Island, the western YK Delta, and the Bering Strait and Lisburne
Peninsula (with winds being more northerly in these latter two
cases). In addition to these strong winds, an extensive band of
snow will begin to move inland; it will initially affect the YK
Delta, then spread across the Norton Sound/Seward Peninsula area
before overspreading the Western and Central Interior and
southern North Slope. Compared to yesterday, the general model
consensus has shifted from having most precipitation along a band
either farther west or farther east to a broader area encompassing
both solutions to an extent. 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. 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 high uncertainty on
snow totals for the Middle and Upper Tanana Valleys given
potential for downsloping, but the trend in model guidance has
been more aggressively in favor of bringing numerous snow showers
through the area with west to southwest flow, especially Sunday
night into Monday morning, which if it panned out could permit
multiple inches of snow to fall in the area.
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. Sunday, the ridging over the Gulf/North Pacific
flattens out, allowing for generally zonal flow across the area at
the 500 mb level. While this is normally not conducive to
southerly gap flow through the mountains, the 700 and especially
850 mb upper low over Western Alaska will have a more
southwesterly gradient, with a 6 to 8 mb surface pressure gradient
across the mountains. This will permit breezy/gusty winds through
the passes. Easterly winds will also pick up on the eastern
Arctic Coast Sunday into Monday.
&&
.EXTENDED FORECAST DAYS 4-7...
At the beginning of the extended time frame of Monday, cold
troughing on the western North Slope will shift southward, with
northerly flow on the west side of the low helping to pull very
cold air across Western Alaska. This will lead to highs broadly
falling below freezing. Even the Central and Eastern Interior will
see highs dip by at least a few degrees into the mid or lower 30s.
There is the potential for a second low in the Bering Sea around
the middle of next week which could help push this cold air back
out with another warm front and yet another push of precipitation
across the Western and Central Interior.
Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...None
&&
.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AK...Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ850.
PK...Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ806-807-817-854-856.
Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ810.
Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ811-857.
Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ816.
Small Craft Advisory for PKZ816.
Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ851.
&&
DSIn the hours before
Special weather statement, Apr 17, 12:01 PM AKDT, 1 hour 52 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 1201 PM AKDT Fri Apr 17 2026 AKZ819-828-190000- Upper Kobuk Valleys-Lower Koyukuk Valley- Including Ambler, Shungnak, Kobuk, Huslia, and Hughes 1201 PM AKDT Fri Apr 17 2026 ...Light to Moderate Snow This Weekend... As a front moves north on Sunday, areas of snow will move into the Kobuk and Koyukuk Valleys. Periods of snow will continue through Sunday night before lessening in coverage on Monday. Snowfall totals will be around 3 to 6 inches by Monday night. AKZ818-822-823-190000- Northern Seward Peninsula-Southern Seward Peninsula Coast- Interior Seward Peninsula- Including Deering, Buckland, Candle, Nome, White Mountain, Golovin, Serpentine Hot Springs, Council, Haycock, Pilgrim Springs, and Taylor 1201 PM AKDT Fri Apr 17 2026 ...Light to Moderate Snow This Weekend... As a front moves north on Sunday, areas of snow will move into the Seward Peninsula. Periods of snow will continue through Sunday night before lessening in coverage on Monday. Snowfall amounts will be heaviest east of Nome, especially in the higher terrain. Snowfall totals will be up to 2 inches in Nome, up to 3 inches in Buckland/Deering and up to 6 inches in the mountains. AKZ826-830-851-852-190000- Lower Yukon River-Lower Yukon and Innoko Valleys- North Slopes of the Western Alaska Range-Upper Kuskokwim Valley- Including Russian Mission, St Marys, Pilot Station, Marshall, Grayling, Holy Cross, Shageluk, Anvik, Farewell Lake, McGrath, Nikolai, and Takotna 1201 PM AKDT Fri Apr 17 2026 ...Rain and Snow Mix This Weekend... A front will be moving into the area Saturday evening/night from the Bering Sea. This front is expected to bring periods of snow, heavy at times Saturday night through Sunday morning. As the front progresses north Sunday afternoon, temperatures are expected to rise into the mid 30s which will support a transition to a rain/snow mix or plain rain. Prior to the changeover, snowfall totals will range from 4 to 7 inches. Melting will occur, especially when the snow mixes or changes to rain Sunday afternoon making for a slushy mess by Sunday night. Pooling and ponding of water is also possible, especially from overflow on the rivers as well as any runoff from the higher terrain. Any wet spots may refreeze Monday night as temperatures drop below freezing. Be sure to use extra caution while outside during this time.
Special weather statement, Apr 17, 1:24 PM AKDT, 29 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 124 PM AKDT Fri Apr 17 2026 AKZ834-838>845-847-190000- White Mountains and High Terrain South of the Yukon River- Upper Chena River Valley-Tanana Flats-Eielson AFB and Salcha- Goldstream Valley and Nenana Hills-Chatanika River Valley- Two Rivers-Fairbanks Metro Area-Nenana-Northern Denali Borough- Including Livengood, Circle Hot Springs, Eagle Summit, Twelvemile Summit, the Steese Highway from MP 85 to MP 124, the Elliott Highway from MP 32 to MP 134, the Dalton Highway from MP 0 to MP 38, Chena Hot Springs, Chena Hot Springs Road east of MP 34, Birch Lake, the Richardson Highway from MP 295 to MP 317, Eielson AFB, Salcha, Moose Creek, Harding Lake, the Richardson Highway from MP 317 to MP 346, Ester Dome, Murphy Dome, the Parks Highway from MP 325 to MP 342, Haystack, the Elliott Highway from MP 1 to MP 32, the Steese Highway from MP 12 to MP 85, Two Rivers, Chena Hot Springs Road from MP 12 to MP 34, Fairbanks, Fort Wainwright, Ester, North Pole, Fox, Nenana, the Parks Highway from MP 290 to 325, Healy, Denali National Park, Kantishna, Anderson, and the Parks Highway from MP 237 to MP 288 124 PM AKDT Fri Apr 17 2026 ...Snow and Rain Sunday and Monday... Wet snow will develop early Sunday morning and continue into the afternoon. The snow may be heavy at times resulting in wet, slushy accumulations. By Sunday evening, there is a 40% chance that the snow transitions to rain or a mix of rain and snow in the valleys, including Fairbanks. The rain can also be heavy at times. If there is heavy rain, localized flooding, while not expected, is possible since the ground is still frozen and any standing water has nowhere to go. Late Sunday night and Monday morning, temperatures will drop to near freezing resulting in patches of ice. Any rain will likely transition back to snow showers by Monday morning. Monday afternoon will come with a drying trend, but any wet spots will likely freeze once again Monday night as temperatures drop into the 20s to near 30 Tuesday morning. Travel will likely be most difficult during the Monday and Tuesday commutes. Snowfall totals will range between 2 and 4 inches from Fairbanks to Healy. 3 to 7 inches is expected in the higher terrain around Fairbanks. AKZ812-831-846-190000- South Slopes Of The Central Brooks Range-Upper Koyukuk Valley- Central Interior- Including Wiseman, Coldfoot, Chandalar DOT Camp, Iniakuk Lake, the Dalton Highway from MP 165 to MP 232, Allakaket, Bettles, Evansville, Alatna, Tanana, Minto, Manley Hot Springs, Rampart, and Lake Minchumina 124 PM AKDT Fri Apr 17 2026 ...Moderate Snow Expected Sunday Through Tuesday... Light snow will be around on Saturday but the snow will turn heavier and steadier through the day on Sunday. Periods of snow will persist through Monday and into early Tuesday morning before rapidly dissipating. Snowfall totals over the 3 day period are expected to be between 5 and 10 inches with the highest amounts expected over the higher terrain.
The office that day
Everything else NWS Fairbanks, AK issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 11:41 AM AKDT | Winter Storm Watch | AFG | Nome Census Area, Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area | 24 hr |
| Apr 17, 11:41 AM AKDT | Winter Storm Warning | AFG | Kusilvak Census Area, Nome Census Area, Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area | 70 hr |
| Apr 17, 12:46 PM AKDT | Winter Storm Watch | AFG | Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area | 23 hr |
| Apr 17, 3:49 PM AKDT | Brisk Wind Advisory | AFG | 12 hr | |
| Apr 17, 3:49 PM AKDT | Gale Warning | AFG | 3 days |
Nearby
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.