Heavy snow warnings are in effect across Alaska, while freeze alerts stretch over several states early Saturday, with some areas bracing for up to 18 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
In Alaksa, forecasters caution that snow and wind gusts could lead to “very difficult” travel conditions.
Why It Matters
The winter storm warnings currently in place across portion of Alaska are issued by the NWS “when a significant combination of hazardous winter weather is occurring or imminent.”
What To Know
In Alaska, winter storm warnings are in effect for the Yukon Delta coast, the Kuskokwim Delta coast, and Nunivak Island.
For the Yukon Delta coast, the agency said snow, as well as blowing snow is expected, with total snow accumulations between three and seven inches and wind gusts as high as 45 miles per hour.
As for the Kuskokwim Delta coast and Nunivak Island alert, between three and eight inches of snow is possible, according to the agency.
These warnings are in force from 10 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. AKDT Sunday as of reporting.
“A Winter Storm Warning for snow means severe winter weather conditions will make travel very hazardous,” the alert read.
Winter weather advisories, which the NWS issues when wintry conditions are “expected to cause a significant inconvenience, but not serious enough to warrant a warning,” also span the eastern Alaska Range South of Trims Camp, the lower Kuskokwim Valley, and the interior Kuskokwim Delta.
Additional snow accumulations between four and eight inches through 4 p.m. AKDT Saturday in the eastern Alaska range, while the lower Kuskokwim Valley, and interior Kuskokwim Delta could see between two and nine inches from 4 p.m. Saturday to 4 p.m. AKDT Sunday.
Additionally, a winter storm watch, which signals “there is the potential for significant and hazardous winter weather within 48 hours,” is in place in the eastern Alaska Range, with total snow between 12 and 18 inches possible from Sunday morning through Monday afternoon.
“Away from the highway, snowfall totals in the higher terrain may be as high as 24 to 36 inches,” the NWS said.
Meanwhile, freeze warnings due to plunging overnight temperatures cover a swath of the central U.S. and Mountain West, including Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, and Nebraska.
Many of these warnings are due to expire Saturday morning, though the NWS said freeze alerts would again be in effect across parts of Idaho, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Utah from late Saturday through Sunday morning.
What Happens Next
The NWS issues regular forecast updates via its website and social media channels.
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