Flood Watch

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
1053 AM AKDT Thu Jun 12 2025

AKZ804>806-808-810-132000-
/O.CON.PAFG.FA.A.0003.250613T1500Z-250618T0000Z/
/00000.0.SM.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Central Beaufort Sea Coast-Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast-Western
Arctic Plains-Central Arctic Plains-Romanzof Mountains-
Including the cities of Sagwon, Point Thomson, Prudhoe Bay,
Alpine, Flaxman Island, Franklin Bluffs, Headwaters of the
Canning River, the Dalton Highway from MP 322 to MP 387, Nuiqsut,
Kuparuk, Kaktovik, Deadhorse, Umiat, and the Dalton Highway north
of MP 387
1053 AM AKDT Thu Jun 12 2025

...FLOOD WATCH FOR SNOWMELT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING
THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Flooding caused by snowmelt continues to be possible.

* WHERE...Including the following areas, rivers and creeks draining
  the Brooks Range including areas around the Central Arctic Plains,
  Central Beaufort Sea Coast, Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast, and
  Western Arctic Plains. This includes the Colville, Kuparuk, Sag,
  and Canning Rivers.

* WHEN...From Friday morning through Tuesday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Rapid snowmelt and ice jams could lead to flooding of
  rivers and streams across the North Slope. Access to roads,
  airstrips, and low-lying infrastructure may be affected. High
  flows could lead to bank erosion that could threaten nearby roads.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
  - Flooding is possible across the North Slope due to an
    unusually deep and persistent late-season snowpack combined
    with a sharp and prolonged warming trend through the rest of
    the week into the weekend. Snowpack remains largely intact
    across the North Slope, with some sites reporting near record
    snowpack levels for this time of year. A rapid onset of
    snowmelt is expected as temperatures warm into the 50`s and
    60`s across the north side of the Brooks Range, with interior
    portions of the North Slope expected to potentially warm into
    the 70s by the weekend. Intact ice remains on many of the
    larger rivers, and the sudden influx of snowmelt runoff could
    lead to ice jam formation.  These jams can cause sudden and
    severe rises in water levels, posing a significant threat to
    roads or other infrastructure near the affected waterways.
    River levels are expected to begin rising within the next 24
    hours and will likely crest by the end of the weekend into
    early next week.

  - Http://www.weather.gov/aprfc

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Persons living along streams should stay alert and be prepared to
take action if a warning or advisory is issued, or flooding is
observed.

Stay tuned to further developments by listening to your local radio,
television, or NOAA Weather Radio for further information.

&&

$$

BB