Blizzard Warning Issued for Western Arctic Coast; 70 MPH Gusts and Heavy Snow Forecast

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Fairbanks, AK, has issued a Blizzard Warning for the Western Arctic Coast. The alert was issued early Friday morning as conditions are expected to deteriorate significantly over the weekend.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the Western Arctic Coast region of Alaska (AKZ801).

What You Should Do

Local authorities and the NWS advise that travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If travel is absolutely necessary, ensure you have a winter survival kit in your vehicle. In the event you become stranded, stay with your vehicle to remain sheltered and visible to rescuers.

Expected Conditions

Residents should prepare for blizzard conditions, including:

• Snow Accumulation: Total accumulations between 6 and 10 inches are possible.
• Wind Speeds: Wind gusts could reach as high as 70 mph.
• Visibility: Falling and blowing snow may reduce visibilities to below one-quarter mile, making travel very difficult.
• Power Infrastructure: Very strong winds may result in localized power outages.

Timeline

The Blizzard Warning is scheduled to go into effect at midnight tonight (Saturday, February 21) and will remain active until 3:00 PM AKST on Sunday, February 22.