Multiple weather alerts set to go in effect, as high winds, snow and rain build across Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Light snow showers fell through the overnight hours for parts of Southcentral, where up to an inch or so of snow fell. While the activity is tapering off this morning, some areas are seeing a changeover to a wintry mix. Take it easy on the roads, as slick and slushy conditions will be evident throughout the day. Snow is also falling through the Interior this morning, where an additional one to two inches of snow is possible. While things are fairly quiet across much of Mainland Alaska this morning, heavy rain and winds are affecting the Aleutians. This storm will be the primary focus for the southern mainland as we welcome in Tuesday.

SOUTHCENTRAL:

The biggest concern for Southcentral today will be hazardous travel conditions as temperatures warm back above freezing. This will lead to slushy and slick conditions on many roads, with areas of Turnagain Pass, Keystone Canyon and higher elevations likely seeing icy conditions. Inland areas of Southcentral will warm into the mid to upper 30s, while coastal regions will see highs climb near 40 degrees. These freeze thaw pattern will not only lead to the slick and slushy roads, but also washboard roads in some areas. Pack your patience and get to your destination safely today.

The low near Prince William Sound which brought snow and rain to Southcentral overnight will quickly move off to the east. This will allow for pockets of sunshine across Southcentral. While sunny skies don’t look as likely, some areas could see several hours of sunshine peeks today. Enjoy what peeks of sunshine we see, as overcast skies quickly build back into Southcentral overnight into Tuesday. This comes ahead of our next storm system which is currently affecting the Aleutians.

As the low moves northward into the Bering Sea, it will send a frontal system across Kodiak Island and Southcentral overnight into tomorrow. This front will be accompanied by heavy rain, snow and gusty winds for a large portion of Southcentral, with the greatest impact felt across Prince William Sound and the Kenai Peninsula. As a result of the incoming storm, many areas across the region remain under weather alerts.

Winter Storm Warning

A winter storm warning will go into effect beginning at 3 a.m. tonight and lasting until 4 p.m. Tuesday for Western Prince William Sound. The primary impacts will be felt for higher elevations of the Seward Highway, including Turnagain Pass and Summit Lake. Heavy snow is to be expected, with total snow accumulations of 12 to 18 inches. Winds will also gust as high as 55 mph. Snow intensity will be heavy at times, with rates of one to three inches per hour in Turnagain Pass. The timing of the heaviest snow looks to occur between 6 a.m. and noon, when traffic will be increasing. Be prepared for reduced visibility down to one quarter mile or less at times.

Blizzard Warning

A blizzard warning will go into effect for Thompson Pass beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday and lasting until 6 p.m. Snow accumulations will amount to 10 to 18 inches, with gusty east to southeasterly winds up to 45 mph. Expect whiteout conditions a times, with visibility down to one quarter mile or less. Snow levels will quickly rise through the day to 1200 feet or higher, leading to a transition to rain at lower elevations. This will greatly impact roads, with hazardous conditions to continue into Wednesday.

High Wind Watch

A high wind watch will go into effect beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday and lasting until 1 p.m. for Turnagain Arm and higher elevations of Anchorage. Strong east to southeast winds will be possible, with winds of 30 to 50 mph. Gusts as high as 75 mph will occur in the higher elevations. In addition to the slick roads, high winds will make travel very difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

For all of Southcentral temperatures will quickly rise to the day into the 40s. This will lead to a changeover to rain for most locations. With that said, areas of the Western Kenai north into the southern parts of the Mat-Su Valley will largely stay on the drier side due to down-sloping winds, although some accumulation up to an inch or so is possible.

SOUTHEAST:

Outside of some isolated to scattered showers this morning, it‘s quiet for a large portion of the panhandle. While showers are expected to taper off into the afternoon and evening, any dry time will be brief. We’ll see heavy rain and gusty winds return to Southeast as we welcome in Tuesday, with rain likely to continue through the end of the week.

The first batch of rain arrives early Tuesday morning, with areas at sea level expected to see all rain. Higher elevations of the Klondike and Haines Highway will see the best chance for snow, with a gradual return to a wintry mix as temperatures warm aloft. On the heels of the first batch of rain, an atmospheric river will build into Southeast. This will lead to widespread rain, with some breaks in the activity, through the end of the week.

Storm totals will vary across Southeast, but in general expect one to two inches of rain Tuesday, with two to five inches of rain expected Wednesday. By Thursday, the rain will begin to lighten up, with half an inch to two inches expected. We’ll see the heaviest rain for the southern half of the panhandle, with gusty winds up to 40 mph possible.

INTERIOR:

Light snow showers are falling this morning through the Interior, where one to two additional inches looks possible. As that tapers off, we’ll see quieter and colder weather settle into the region, but only for a short period of time. With some clearing expected through the night, temperatures will quickly bottom out in the single digits and teens. Into Tuesday, winds will begin to increase across the Alaska Range, where a wind advisory remains in effect.

Wind Advisory

A wind advisory will go into effect beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday until 3 a.m. Wednesday for the Eastern Alaska Range. This will affect areas of the Eastern Alaska Range North of Trims Camp. South winds of 30 to 40 mph will impact the region, with gusts up to 55 mph expected. This will also lead to areas of blowing snow and reduced visibility at times for areas near the mountain passes.

Winter Weather Advisory

A winter weather advisory will go into effect beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday through midnight, for the Dalton Highway Summits. Snow and blowing snow will reduce visibility of one-half mile or less, with a total snow accumulation of 2 to 3 inches. It’s likely that winds will also gusts up to 45 mph, which will play a key roll in reducing visibility.

Travel will be difficult through the Interior, particularly into Wednesday when temperatures are set to warm above freezing for some.

SLOPE/WESTERN ALASKA:

Gusty winds will begin to build back across the Slope and areas near the Brooks Range over the coming days. While winds won‘t be strong today, we‘ll see gusts upwards of 30 mph. That all changes Tuesday, as east to northeast winds will increase. It’s likely that gusts up to 55 mph will be possible, leading to blizzard conditions in some areas through the middle of the week. Temperatures will remain in the 20s through most of the week, before dropping into the 10s later this week.

Heading into Western Alaska, areas north of Nome will largely seeing quiet and breezy conditions over the coming days. This combined with highs near freezing will keep wind chills in the teens and 20s for most days. Winds for areas along and north of Nome will likely gusts upwards of 30 mph through the middle of the week.

South of Nome along the Yukon Delta, into Bristol Bay and the the Alaska Peninsula, widespread winter impacts are to be expected. This comes from the remnants of what was a strong typhoon that impacted China and Taiwan last week. It was the largest storm to hit the island in nearly three decades, with the remnants of the storm currently impacting the Aleutians. As the storm moves north into the Bering, we’ll see heavy snow, gusty winds and areas of ice accumulation tonight into Tuesday. Multiple alerts are in effect for Southwest Alaska, with the greatest threat being heavy snow and blizzard conditions.

Winter Weather Advisory

• A winter weather advisory will go into effect from 6 p.m. this evening until 10 a.m. Tuesday. This will impact Bristol Bay, and areas north and west of Dillingham. Total snow accumulations of three to five inches will be expected, with winds gusting up to 40 to 60 mph. Visibilities will be reduced to one-half mile at times, with difficult travel conditions.
• A winter weather advisory will go into effect from 9 p.m. this evening through 3 a.m. Thursday for the Yukon Delta Coast. The primary impacts will be a wintry mix, with two to six inches of snow looking possible. A light glaze of ice will also occur, with winds gusting as high as 50 mph.
• A winter weather advisory will go into effect from 3 a.m. Tuesday until 3 a.m. Thursday. This will impact the Lower Yukon River, Lower Yukon and Imoko Valleys. Total snow accumulations of three to five inches expected. Higher amounts are possible in the Nulato Hills, where a light glaze of ice will also be possible. Winds will gusts as high as 40 mph. Precipitation will likely start as heavy snow before transitioning into a wintry mix or areas of freezing rain by Tuesday afternoon into the evening.

Blizzard Warning

A blizzard warning will go into effect from 9 p.m. this evening until 1 p.m. Tuesday for the Kuskokwim Delta and areas west of Bethel. Total snow accumulations up to nine inches will be possible along the coast. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph will reduce visibility to one-quarter mile or less. Areas east of Bethel will see snow accumulations of up to an inch.

Winter Storm Watch

A winter storm watch will go into effect at 3 a.m. Tuesday until 3 a.m. Thursday for the Middle Yukon Valley. Total snow accumulations up to seven inches will be possible, with winds gusting as high as 35 mph.

ALEUTIANS:

The remnants of a typhoon is leading to heavy rain and gusty winds across the Eastern Aleutians. Precipitation amounts will amount to one to two inches today, with gusts upwards of 60 mph looking possible. Mostly rain is to be expected with only minor areas of wintry mix looking possible. While rain is expected for the island chain, further north snow and high winds are likely.

Blizzard Warning

A blizzard warning will go into effect at 6 p.m. this evening until 3 p.m. Tuesday for the Pribilof Islands. Blizzard conditions are expected, with winds gusting as high as 70 mph. Snow accumulations will be minor, with up to four inches looking likely. The snow combined with winds will lead to visibilities reduced to one quarter mile or less.

Stay safe and remember hazardous travel conditions will remain with us through the middle of the week. Pack your patience and get to your destination on time.

Have a safe week!

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