NOTE: Some of the data on this page has not been verified and should be used with that in mind. It may and occasionally will, be wrong. The tide reports are by xtide and are NOT FOR NAVIGATION. Privacy and Cookie policy

PKZ859 Point Franklin To Cape Halkett From 15 To 75 Nm- 341 Am Akst Tue Dec 5 2023
Today..E winds 15 kt. Freezing fog.
Tonight..E winds 15 kt. Freezing fog.
Wed..E winds 10 kt. Freezing fog.
Wed night..E winds 10 kt. Freezing fog.
Thu..NE winds 5 kt.
Thu night..NE winds 10 kt.
Fri..N winds 10 kt.
Sat..N winds 15 kt.

PKZ800
No data

FXAK69 PAFG 051234 AFDAFG

Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 334 AM AKST Tue Dec 5 2023

SYNOPSIS
After another fairly quiet day yesterday, things get a bit more active as a series of lows begin to move from west to east through the Bering. A weak front in the Eastern Interior and Middle Tanana Valley will bring light snow today and tonight with on and off light snow expected through the end of the week.



DISCUSSION

Upper Levels and Analysis...
A 501 decameter arctic trough over the Seward Peninsula is gradually moving northeast and moving a front across the Western Interior. There is a shortwave moving over the Arctic Coast which will continue to move north out of the area later this morning.
There is a strong 484 decameter low moving southeast over Eastern Siberia which has been locking up most of the true arctic air.
Looking east, there is a weakening 504 decameter low over the Gulf of Alaska which is moving northward. This is providing a shortwave which is currently moving northwest through the Eastern Interior.

Model Discussion...
Overall, the 00z suite of models initialized fairly well overall with a good depiction of the surface lows scattered around the state. The low over the Gulf of AK has been weakening a bit slower than what guidance has, but only by a couple of millibars and this shouldn't change much for the Interior. Snow has broken out from Tok north and east and will continue to gradually move northwest today with light snow expected in Fairbanks this afternoon. Otherwise, the main story is the low moving off of Siberia into the Bering tonight into Wednesday. The general idea is there, the low will drop into the Gulf of Anadyr tonight into tomorrow morning then it will move east towards St. Lawrence Island and most likely drop southeast towards the YK Delta Wednesday evening. Models are having some convective feedback issues when it comes to depicting the surface low due to the amount of energy in the upper atmosphere. Nonetheless, a blend of the NAM and GFS is preferred for the wind and a blend of all models for precipitation and snowfall.

North Slope and Brooks Range...
A low in the Chukchi Sea will continue to provide light snow across the Northwest Arctic Coast through tonight. Otherwise, not much change is expected from what we've been seeing lately.
Stratus and patchy fog will dominate the remainder of the North Slope. We are expecting another round of light snow from Point Hope to Point Lay Wednesday evening into Thursday morning.
Snowfall totals look to remain light, around an inch or less.

West Coast and Western Interior...
A quick moving low moving over St. Lawrence Island early this morning and linger through the mid-late morning with light snow and winds around 25-30 mph gusting to 40 mph. This then moves east and stretches from the Seward Peninsula southward with light snow and breezy conditions. This ends during the evening and we will turn our attention to a much stronger front associated with a deepening low in Siberia. The low will move over the Gulf of Anadyr this afternoon and bring snow to St. Lawrence Island this evening, then to the West Coast tonight after midnight. Periods of heavy snow, squalls and near gale force wind coming from the south will all be in play as this front moves east. This front is expected to bring a few inches of wind blown snow. After the initial front passes, there will be numerous snow squalls for St.
Lawrence Island and the West Coast on Wednesday which will likely reduce visibility to a half-mile or less at times and result in difficult travel conditions. Wednesday night, the low will move inland around the YK Delta and strong westerly winds will turn north-northwesterly gales from the Bering Strait to the YK Delta.
Around the Kotzebue sound, winds will be southeasterly with gusts to 40 mph possible along with some light snow at times Wednesday and Thursday. All in all, around 3 to 6 inches of snow is possible for most locations through Thursday. From Stebbins to Koyuk, expect 1 to 3 inches. For the Bering Strait and St. Lawrence Island, expect several more inches of snow on top of the 3 to 6 inches with numerous snow squalls continuing through the end of the week. Winter Weather Advisories for blowing snow are in effect for St. Lawrence Island, Diomede and the Bering Strait Coast.

Central and Eastern Interior...
A low in the Gulf of Alaska is extending a front northward which is currently providing light snow to the Eastern Interior from Tok to Eagle Southward. This will spread northwest through the day with light snow expected in Fairbanks this afternoon. A band of light snow will be expected from Denali to Fairbanks northeast towards Chalkyitsik. Snowfall totals will be around an inch in Fairbanks with slightly higher amounts up to 2 inches south and east. The heaviest snow will come in the eastern AK Range south of Trims Camp where 5 to 9 inches of snow can accumulate by Thursday morning. We'll also have a gradient along the Alaska Range promoting northerly winds to flow through the passes. North winds 15 to 30 mph with gusts upwards of 40 mph will be possible Wednesday morning, then weaken overnight. Blowing snow and visibility down to 1/2 mile at times is possible. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect.

Extended Forecast Days 4-7...
On Friday, we'll still be experiencing the effects of the strong low along the West Coast. Expect gusty winds around 40 to 60 mph through the Bering Strait with snow squalls remaining likely and this may continue through the weekend as the remnant low drifts south and gets absorbed by a low south of the Aleutians on Sunday.
As this is happening, there will be snow chances in the Interior, but nothing significant as everything will be light. However, looking towards next week, uncertainty is high but it may get a bit more active for the Interior as several fronts will have the chance to move inland from the Gulf which would provide more snow.
We'll be monitoring this upcoming pattern change closely.

Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...West/northwest gales will bring elevated waters levels of 2 to 3 feet above the normal high tide line to parts of the YK Delta Wednesday. Diomede and St.
Lawrence Island will have 1-2 feet of elevated water Wednesday night into Thursday.

AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
AK...Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ820-821.
Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ827.
Winter Weather Advisory for AKZ850.
PK...Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ801-803-805-852.
Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ802.
Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ806-807-853.
Small Craft Advisory for PKZ806.
Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ812.
Small Craft Advisory for PKZ816-817.
Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ816-817.
Gale Warning for PKZ850.
Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ851-854-856-857.
Gale Warning for PKZ851.
Small Craft Advisory for PKZ853.
Small Craft Advisory for PKZ854.
Small Craft Advisory for PKZ856.

toggle option: (graph/table)

Point Barrow
Click for Map
Tue -- 12:44 AM AKST     0.07 feet Low Tide
Tue -- 07:37 AM AKST     0.27 feet High Tide
Tue -- 01:36 PM AKST     0.16 feet Low Tide
Tue -- 03:09 PM AKST     Moonset
Tue -- 06:52 PM AKST     0.25 feet High Tide
Tide / Current data from XTide NOT FOR NAVIGATION

Point Barrow, Alaska, Tide feet

Full Color Weather Map

Link to Loop


Other links: GEOS-West     Contential US     Full GOES-East

Nome/Fairbanks,AK