Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Fairbanks, AK

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FXAK69 PAFG 222117
AFDAFG

Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
117 PM AKDT Fri Mar 22 2024

.SYNOPSIS...

An active weather pattern will persist into the weekend for the
west coast of Alaska as a as series of fronts will bring periods
of strong winds, snow and freezing rain as well. Elsewhere,
mostly dry conditions with above normal temperatures for the
Interior. Occassional gusty winds in the Alaska Range through
the weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

Analysis and Model Discussion...
Ridging will persist over the Interior through Friday then slide
to the east over the weekend. Shortwaves will continue to move
north over the west coast through Friday.  A shortwave will push
inland Friday night and Saturday over the Western Interior but
not much in the way of accumulations. This shortwave has strong
cold air advection with it and precipitation Friday evening
through Saturday should be mostly snow showers for the Western
Interior. On Saturday afternoon, precipitation from the next
frontal system will reach the Yukon Delta, and then the Seward
Peninsula overnight Saturday night into Sunday. Snow and blowing
snow and also mixed precipitation is possible.

Central and Eastern Interior...

Above normal high temps continue into the weekend and into
early next week. Highs in the upper 30s to mid 40s. Winds will be
15 mph or less with the exception of Alaska Range passes, where
southerly gap winds gusting to 50 mph this afternoon. Gap winds
will pick up again Saturday night into Sunday. There is a very
slight chance of snow Friday night mostly west of Fairbanks, but
any precipitation that falls will be extremely light and short
lived.

North Slope and Brooks Range...

Quiet conditions, above normal temperatures, and mainly light
winds continue. Winds through Brooks Range passes and out to
Toolik Lake on the north side of the Brooks Range will continue to
gust to 30 mph through tonight. High temperatures will peak today
with most areas reaching the 30s except for along the coast from
Utqiagvik east where highs will be in the 20s. A cooling trend
will begin tomorrow with highs returning to the single digits
above zero north of the Brooks Range by Sunday. Highs in the
Brooks Range will stay in the 20s.

West Coast and Western Interior...

Snow and blowing snow continuing for the west coast today, then
pushing over northwest Alaska tonight. On Saturday afternoon,
precipitation from the next frontal system will reach the Yukon
Delta, and then the Seward Peninsula overnight Saturday night into
Sunday. A new Special Weather Statement has been issued for snow
and blowing snow and also mixed precipitation is possible. By
Sunday morning, expect Gale force winds through the Bering Strait
and at St. Lawrence Island along with possible blizzard
conditions. The strongest winds will be along the Bering Strait
and along the Yukon Delta Coast. Precipitation and wind from this
system will continue through Monday.

Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...Gale Force northerly winds
over the Bering Strait on Sunday along with snow and blowing snow.

Extended Forecast For Days 4 Through 7...

Ridging will persist but gradually weaken into the middle of next
week over the central and eastern Interior, bringing continued
above normal temperatures, albeit on a cooling trend. On the West
Coast, the active weather pattern looks to continue with numerous
frontal systems bringing continued snow, blowing snow, and mixed
precipitation. Models start to diverge by mid-week but models
hinting at a late week strong storm to develop and move across
the Aleutians. Will continue to monitor.

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AK...Winter Storm Warning for AKZ814.
     Winter Storm Warning for AKZ823.
PK...Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ801.
     Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ802.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ803>805-809-810-852-855.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ806-854.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ807-856.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ808.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ811.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ857.
&&

$$


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