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000
FXAK69 PAFG 201214
AFDAFG

Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
414 AM AKDT Sat Apr 20 2024

.SYNOPSIS...
Dry and fairly warm conditions will persist into the weekend for
Interior Alaska. Strong northerly winds and some snow showeres will
develop over the Bering Strait and Saint Lawrence Island on
Saturday with 30 to 50 mph possible along with blowing snow and
low visibility. Winds will remain strong into Sunday for that
area.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Models are in decent agreement in the short term with ridging
building in over the west coast and remaining over the Interior
through the weekend. An upper level low over Eastern Russia
will lift northeast through Saturday, while high pressure builds
over Interior Alaska. An upper level low over the western Bering
will begin to impact the west coast Tuesday into Wed. Still some
uncertainty on timing and intensity.


West coast...A weak front will produce snow and blowing snow
for Saint Lawrence Island and the Bering Strait today through
Sunday. Winter Weather Advisories are in effect Sunday
afternoon for these areas. Upper ridging will build across most
of the West Coast over the weekend, with temperatures warming into
the mid 30s to lower 40s. Strong northerly winds will develop
over the Bering Strait over the weekend with 25 to 40 mph with gusts
to 50 mph.

Interior...Melting continues over the Interior as high pressure
dominates the area. Highs will reach into the upper 50s to low
60s Today and slightly cooler on Sunday and Monday. Winds are on
the downtrend over the Alaska Range this morning. Cancelled the
wind advisories. A chance of isolated showers around the Interior
on Monday and Tuesday then high pressure builds back over the
area on Wednesday.

North slope...Areas of fog and stratus over the north slope this
morning. Flow looks to shift northwesterly on Saturday as the
current upper system off the West Coast shifts north of the area.
Temperatures will range from the 20s to 30s through the weekend,
falling into the teens and single digits Sunday and Monday. A
chance of snow over the western Brooks Range on Sunday.

Extended Forecast Days 4-7...High pressure will remain over much
of the state early next week. Still some uncertainity but a low
will enter the western Bering and bring a front across the Bering
Strait on Tuesday and Wed. The track and speed of the upper system is
uncertain, with the ECMWF bringing it north over the Interior,
while the GFS lifts in north along the West Coast. The ECMWF is
pretty dry, while the GFS does have precipitation along the West
Coast. By late week, a frontal boundary associated with the Bering
Sea low will push into the West Coast. This will likely bring an
increase in winds and precipitation chances along the West Coast.


Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...None.


&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AK...Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ820-821.
     Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ827.
PK...Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ801.
     Gale Warning for PKZ806-807-854-856.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ810-811-857.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ815-861.
     Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ816.
     Gale Warning for PKZ816-817-851.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ850.
&&

$$