Winter Storm Warning Issued for Northern and Northwest Arctic Coast Through Monday Morning

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Fairbanks, AK, has issued a Winter Storm Warning for several regions in Northern Alaska. The alert is effective starting at 6:00 AM AKST on Saturday, February 21, and remains in effect until 9:00 AM AKST on Monday, February 23.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following geographic regions:

• Howard Pass and the Delong Mountains
• Northern Arctic Coast
• Northwest Arctic Coast
• Western Arctic Plains

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers are advised to prepare for hazardous conditions. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Prepare for significantly reduced visibility and difficult travel conditions.

Expected Conditions

• Snowfall: Total snow accumulations between 6 and 10 inches are possible.
• Wind: Wind gusts could reach as high as 35 mph.
• Hazards: Blizzard conditions are possible. Blowing and drifting snow may significantly reduce visibility.
• Wind Shift: Snow will begin with southerly winds. On Sunday morning, winds are expected to shift to the southwest and strengthen, increasing the likelihood of blowing snow.

Timeline

• Onset: Snow begins Saturday morning, February 21.
• Peak Conditions: Winds strengthen Sunday morning, February 22, creating periods of blowing and drifting snow.
• Diminishing: Snow chances begin to diminish Sunday afternoon through Monday morning.
• Expiration: The warning is scheduled to end at 9:00 AM AKST on Monday, February 23.