036
FXAK69 PAFG 110946
AFDAFG

Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
146 AM AKDT Tue Mar 11 2025

.SYNOPSIS...
The N Mainland will remain in a quiescent weather regime as a cold
upper level trough moves over the Mainland, bringing cooler temps
the next couple of days. Besides minor flurries/light snow showers
over the SE Interior, the only other notable weather impact will
continue to be gale force north/northeast winds across the Bering
Coast up to Point Hope. With minimal transportable snow, blowing
snow restrictions will remain minor.

&&

.KEY WEATHER MESSAGES...

Central and Eastern Interior...
A cold trough moves across the Interior today through Thursday,
bringing northerly winds through the AK Range and northeast winds
to the Interior. Temps drop slightly below seasonal norms the
next two days before moderating to normal Thu. Light snow showers
will be possible the next couple days over the SE Interior, with a
few possible flurries over the Interior the Wed and Thu.

- No significant weather impacts expected with the highlight
  being cooler temps and northeast winds gusting to 30 over the
  Interior higher elevations the next couple days.

West Coast and Western Interior...
Light snow showers along with gale force north winds are
continuing periodic bouts of blowing snow over the Bering Strait
this morning. Winds generally will be waning the next day or so,
then winds become more offshore/northeasterly. Expect dry weather
and minor impacts, with a slight downtrend in temps as colder air
filters in.

- No Significant weather impacts with minor blowing snow
  restrictions along the Bering Coast through today.

North Slope and Brooks Range...
Light winds over most of the Arctic will prevail today through
Wednesday with the lone exception being the W Arctic around Point
Lay to Point Hope, where northeast winds will persist. Flurries
and locally dense fog with extensive stratus is moving across
Prudhoe Bay this morning. This will partly burn off this afternoon
but will be possible again tomorrow night with light winds. East
winds pick up across the Arctic on Thu with more minor blowing
snow possible. Gales will be possible over the W Arctic Thu
where more substantial blowing snow is possible. However, due to
lack of transportable snow and increasing sun angle, there is low
confidence on that.

- Minor weather impacts will mostly be associated with low
  stratus, periods of fog, and flurries from Atqasuk to Prudhoe
  Bay the next two days.

- Possibility of more substantial blowing snow over the W Arctic
  from Point Lay to Point Hope on Thu as gale force winds
  redevelop. Currently, there is a 20-40 % chance for visibility
  to drop to a half mile or less.

&&

.FORECAST ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION...
There is a 528 dam closed arctic high centered over the Beaufort
Sea. There is a shortwave trough undercutting the ridge, currently
moving across the AK Range. There is a stronger shortwave trough
which will also undercut the ridge, moving from the NW Territory
to the Yukon. Broad cyclonic flow aloft persists over the NPAC and
Gulf of AK, with the main surface low centered over the Gulf of
AK at 985 mb. North winds to gale force persist over the Bering
Strait.

Arctic high pressure will become the dominant player over the next
few days as a 1040 arctic high shifts west to east over the high
Arctic. In addition, a "backdoor" cold trough/front will move into
the Interior the next few days, bringing cooler arctic air into
the Interior along with blustery northeast winds. Beyond this,
flurries over the SE Interior will continue the next couple of
days, with a flurry possibility over the remainder of the Interior
as the upper low passes over.

&&

.EXTENDED FORECAST DAYS 4-7...
The extended forecast remains fairly quiet as arctic high
pressure dominates the high latitudes and the storm track remains
over the NPAC and Gulf. East winds are going to be in place over
the arctic with minor blowing snow possible. There will be some
minor chances for snow for the W Interior this weekend, and that
may shift east as the early next week progresses. Temps look
fairly seasonable.

Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...None

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AK...None.
PK...Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ804.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ805.
     Gale Warning for PKZ806-816-854.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ807-811-817-857.
     Small Craft Advisory for PKZ810.
     Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ810.
     Small Craft Advisory for PKZ815.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ850.
     Gale Warning for PKZ851-856-861.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ852.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ853.
&&

$$

Ahsenmacher