Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Fairbanks, AK

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FXAK69 PAFG 282149
AFDAFG

Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
149 PM AKDT Thu Mar 28 2024

.SYNOPSIS...

An active weather pattern will persist over the west coast
of Alaska as another low brings snow and blowing snow
over the southern west coast Friday into Saturday. Strong
northeast winds will develop over the Bering Strait on Friday
evening into Saturday. Another round of snow expected for the
Interior Saturday afternoon into Sunday. The potential for strong
winds over the Alaska Range Saturday evening into Sunday. Heavy
snow for the Alaska Range south facing slopes over the weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

Analysis and Model Discussion...
A stronger low is progged to develop over the Southern Bering
Thursday into Friday. Troughing will continue to dig south over
the southern west coast and shift to the east on Saturday. A
strong shortwave will swing across the Alaska Range Saturday night
into Sunday. The upper level low will track across the Northern
Interior on Sunday and southwest flow will set up over the
Interior. Another strong low will move into the Bering late Tue
into Wednesday.

Central and Eastern Interior...
Light snow will taper off this afternoon. Gap flow will pick
up on Friday over the Eastern Alaska range with gusts around
60 mph. Stronger winds expected Sat evening into Sunday in
the Eastern Alaska Range with gusts 70 to 80 mph. Snow will also
develop north and west of Fairbanks on Saturday. Snow will make
into Middle Tanana Valley Sunday morning when the chinook weakens
and the flow turns more southwestly on Sunday. Gusty winds over
higher terrain is also possible on Sunday. Several inches of snow
expected over the western Interior and north of Fairbanks along
the Dalton Highway. Heavy snow expected for the south facing
slopes of the Alaska Range. There is also a chance of mixed
precipitation over the Central Interior as well.

North Slope and Brooks Range...
Light snow will move over the Brooks Range today and
into the North Slope this afternoon with up to 2 inches of snow
expected from Wainwright south and east. Heading into Friday
lingering light snow may be around during the morning southeast of
Utqiagvik. Otherwise, most of Friday and Saturday should be quiet
and dry. More active weather with heavy snow for the southern
slopes of the Brooks Range Sat night into Sunday.

West Coast and Western Interior...
Winter Weather Advisory still in effect for Saint Lawrence Island.
A stronger system will move into Bristol Bay on Friday bringing
snow and blowing snow to the Yukon Delta then spread further north
Friday into Sat. Inland areas could pick up several inches of
snow. Winter Weather Advisories have been issued. Strong
northerly winds will continue over Saint Lawrence Island and
develop over the Bering Strait and Northwest Alaska as well.
Winter Storm Watches in effect for the Bering Strait Coast
on Saturday.

Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...Strong
northerly winds will continue over Saint Lawrence Island and
develop over the Bering Strait and Northwest Alaska as well.


Extended Forecast For Days 4 Through 7...

Progressive pattern continues for the west coast and Interior
this weekend. A strong low moves into the western Interior on
Saturday then over the Central Interior on Sunday. Heavy snow and
gusty winds look likely in the Northern Interior and Brooks Range
and the Alaska Range. Around the Tanana Valley, there will likely
be chinooking to begin the day but as winds weaken over the
Alaska Range, snow may try to move in Sunday morning. At this
time, there is a lot of uncertainty with snow amounts in the
Fairbanks area. Nonetheless, winds do look to increase for much of
the state with the Potential for Advisories and Warnings to be
issued. Another strong low could impact the west coast early next
week, the track and timing still uncertain, will continue to
monitor.



&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AK...Wind Advisory for AKZ849.
     Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ852.
     Winter Storm Watch for AKZ820-821.
     Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ825-826.
     Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ827.
     Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ828.
     Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ829-830.
     Winter Storm Watch for AKZ848.
PK...Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ801.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ802-805-806-850-852-853.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ803.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ804-807-856.
     Gale Warning for PKZ815-861.
     Gale Warning for PKZ816-851.
     Gale Warning for PKZ817-854.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ860.
&&

$$


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