Blizzard Warning Issued for Western Arctic Coast; High Winds and Low Visibility Expected

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Fairbanks, AK, has issued a Blizzard Warning for the Western Arctic Coast. The alert is effective from 3:00 AM Wednesday, February 11, through 9:00 PM AKST Thursday, February 12.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically impacts the Western Arctic Coast region of Alaska (forecast zone AKZ801).

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers in the affected area are advised that travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If travel is necessary, ensure you are prepared for extreme conditions and significantly reduced visibility.

Expected Conditions

Blizzard conditions are anticipated throughout the warning period. Key weather metrics include:

• Snow Accumulation: Total snow accumulations of up to two inches.
• Wind Speeds: Northeast winds gusting as high as 50 mph.
• Visibility: Areas of blowing snow are expected to significantly reduce visibility, making travel very difficult.

Timeline

The Blizzard Warning begins at 3:00 AM AKST on Wednesday, February 11. Northeast winds are forecast to increase Tuesday night into Wednesday ahead of the approaching snowfall. Snow is expected to arrive Wednesday night. While winds are projected to slowly weaken once the snow arrives, falling snow is expected to keep visibility low through at least Thursday. The warning is scheduled to expire at 9:00 PM AKST on Thursday, February 12.