598
FXAK69 PAFG 021532
AFDAFG

Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
632 AM AKST Fri Jan 2 2026

.SYNOPSIS...
Very cold and dry conditions continue across much of Northern
Alaska to open the New Year, with air temperatures across much of
our region in the 20s/30s/40s below zero. This long duration cold
will continue through the weekend, when the coldest temperatures
so far could see some locations reaching down to the 40s/50s/60s
below zero. Further west, a series of fronts will continue to move
into the YK Delta and St. Lawrence Island through the weekend,
helping to keep snow chances and gusty winds around. Looking
ahead, a warmup remains possible next week as a low pressure
system looks to bring in a wetter and warmer airmass along with
increased winds. Stay tuned as we track that pattern change.

&&

.KEY WEATHER MESSAGES...
Central and Eastern Interior...

- Persistent cold weather in the Interior remains with clear and
  calm conditions as temperatures stay well below normal through
  the weekend.

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

- A long-term Cold Weather Advisory has been issued through the
  weekend for the Central/Eastern Interior. Areas of ice fog are
  ongoing in Fairbanks and are expected to expand in coverage
  heading through the weekend.

West Coast and Western Interior...

- Snow and gusty winds will continue in the YK Delta and St.
  Lawrence Island, leading to reduced visibility at times with
  blowing snow. Additional snow accumulations in this area will be
  limited through tonight. Another band of snow with limited
  accumulation is expected Sat into Sun over similar areas.

- Widespread temperatures in the 20s/30s below zero are expected
  to continue, with 40s/50s below zero in the coldest spots.
  Conditions will trend colder into the weekend.

- A long-term Cold Weather Advisory has been issued through the
  weekend for portions of the Western Interior where temperatures
  as cold as 55 below zero are expected.

- From late Sun morning into Sun afternoon, sustained east winds
  will pick up to as high as 30 to 40+ mph on the West Coast south
  of the Bering Strait/St. Lawrence Island, with winds of 20 to 30
  mph in areas just inland. Snow will begin during the same time
  frame on the YK Delta and spread across the W Interior by Mon
  night. Blowing snow/low visibilities will be possible at times.

North Slope and Brooks Range...

- A colder and dry airmass will build in through the weekend, with
  widespread temperatures in the 20s/30s below zero, 40s/50s below
  zero in the coldest spots. Warmest conditions expected further
  west.

- Areas of low stratus and fog will lead to pockets of low
  visibility at times.

&&

.FORECAST ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION...
Troughing aloft at the 500 mb level extends south from over to
Arctic along the Canadian border. A low over the southeastern
Bering Sea is moving southeast across general ridging in place
over the wider Bering. Cold and clear conditions are in place
across the vast majority of Alaska north of the AK Range, with
850 mb temperatures ranging from the -10s to the mid -20s C across
the area. Surface temperatures in the Central and Eastern Interior
largely range from around -40 to around -50F, with -20s and -30s
in much of the Western Interior and on the North Slope. A narrow
band of light snow extends from the northwestern Bering Sea across
St. Lawrence Island and the YK Delta region and will gradually
diminish in coverage through the day.

Moving into the weekend, the cold air in place will cool even
further, which may allow some areas to fall into the -50s or -60s,
especially in sheltered valley-type locations. Saturday evening, a
front extending eastward from a low in the western Bering Sea
will allow for an additional chance for light snow in the
southern YK Delta, but most other areas should remain dry ahead of
another system moving into the area early next week.

Saturday night, the most impactful low-pressure system will enter
the southern Bering Sea. From late Sunday morning into Sunday
afternoon, snow will begin to fall in a frontal band ahead of the
low and will be accompanied by easterly winds which could blow
upwards of 30 to 40 mph, especially over the water and over
coastal areas, including St. Lawrence Island. In areas where wind
combines with falling or recently fallen snow, blowing snow could
occur and reduce visibilities at times.

&&

.EXTENDED FORECAST DAYS 4-7...
By Day 4/Monday, east-to-northeast winds will begin to spread
inland with the potential for multiple inches of light to at
times moderate snowfall extending across the Western Interior
Monday night into Tuesday and into the Central/Eastern Interior
(with lesser totals) by Tuesday evening. By this time frame, the
trough over the Canadian border will have shifted into Western
Alaska, bringing with it the cold air aloft (around -25 C at 850
mb). On the east side of the trough, south flow will help to warm
the Central and Eastern Interior. Temperatures could warm by 20 to
30 degrees in many areas. The coldest areas of the Interior will
likely shift into the Western Interior and North Slope by
Wednesday night into Thursday, although the Eastern Interior may
still remain in the negative 10s or 20s.

Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...None

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AK...Cold Weather Advisory for AKZ828-829-831>847-849-851-852.
PK...Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ801-802-850.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ804.
     Small Craft Advisory for PKZ816-817-851-854.
     Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ816-817-851-854.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ857.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ858.
&&

$$

DS