670
FXAK69 PAFG 262058
AFDAFG

Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
1258 PM AKDT Wed Mar 26 2025

.SYNOPSIS...
Light snow and snow showers expected in the Interior today through
tomorrow night. The West Coast will remain mostly dry with mixed
clouds and sun. The North Slope still has some stratus and
localized fog but the afternoon should be partly to mostly sunny.
Winds remain light across the state today and tomorrow, then
increase slightly on Friday, especially along the Arctic Coast,
Brooks Range and in the higher terrain of the Interior.

&&

.KEY WEATHER MESSAGES...
Central and Eastern Interior...
- Light snow meanders around the Interior today through tomorrow
  with around 1 inch expected in Fairbanks and up to 3 in the
  White Mountains/Alaska Range.

- Blustery northeast winds in the higher terrain on Friday with
  peak gusts to 35 mph possible along the highway summits.

West Coast and Western Interior...
- Dry with mixed sun and clouds today.

- Northwest winds increase in the YK Delta with gusts 30 mph
  possible on Thursday. Breeziness continues through the weekend.

- A weak warm front moves towards the West Coast on Saturday with
  warm temperatures approaching freezing and snow which may mix
  with freezing rain or freezing drizzle.
- Impacts should be minimal as snowfall totals look to be around
   an inch or less with ice accumulations of light glaze.

North Slope and Brooks Range..
- Quiet weather with mixed sun and clouds.

- Temperatures remain seasonable through Saturday, then increase
  substantially thereafter.

- A couple rounds of snow possible, first being on Saturday with
  light snow and some freezing rain or drizzle, mostly from
  Wainright southwest.

- A stronger front with another round of snow and gusty
  south/southwest winds on Sunday. Blowing snow is likely,
  especially from Utqiagvik southwest.

&&

.FORECAST ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION...
An elongated trough is set up from the North Slope through the
Interior and into the Gulf of Alaska with a closed 533 decameter
low over the Western Alaska Range. This low will pivot southeast
into the Interior and provide chances for light snow tonight
through tomorrow night. Transient ridging is currently over the
West Coast and will be suppressed as a trough in the Bering moves
southeast. Otherwise, troughing will persist over the Interior
while getting squeezed by a strong high developing in the
south/central Bering and northern pacific and a ridge over
Southeast Alaska. This trough will try to move east and drag a
piece of energy from the Northwest Arctic into Northwest Alaska
and the Interior Saturday into Sunday. This may bring some light
snow and gusty winds to the Arctic Coast.

&&

.EXTENDED FORECAST DAYS 4-7...
A lot of uncertainty remains in the extended. Starting on Sunday,
a trough of low pressure over northeast Alaska will be exiting to
the east, allowing for a front to move into Alaska from the
northwest. This will increase southerly winds along the North
Slope on Sunday with gusts upwards of 50-60 mph possible,
especially in the western North Slope. Preliminary snowfall
totals look to remain light Sunday into Monday from the North
Slope to the Interior. Some locally higher amounts are possible
in the Western Brooks Range. Another system, which appears to be a
bit more impactful as of now, looks to enter Western Alaska
around Tuesday or Wednesday. The timing and track of this system
are uncertain but it could bring chances for moderate or heavy
snow for portions of Northern Alaska.

To wrap it up, there will be a few chances for snow coming up in
the extended. Strong southerly winds are likely on the North
Slope to start next week. The first system brings generally light
snow. Then, there will be another system towards the middle of
the week with the chance for more snow, which may be a bit
heavier. Temperatures look to be near or slightly above normal
south of the Brooks Range, and well above normal for the North
Slope.

Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...None

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AK...None.
PK...Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ812.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ815-861.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ857.
     Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ858.
&&

$$

Bianco