Three Feet of Snow Possible as Winter Storm Slams Alaska
A major winter storm is hitting Alaska this week, bringing as much as three feet of snow to some areas in the Eastern Alaska Range.
The National Weather Service has issued a slew of winter weather advisories and warnings for the state’s eastern interior, with the significant totals concentrated around Trims Camp, Donnelly Dome, and Black Rapids.
A winter weather warning for the area lasts through Thursday morning, and the NWS said that “24 to 36 inches [of snow is] expected above 2500 feet with higher amounts above pass level.” At lower elevations, forecasters said 12 to 24 inches are expected.
“Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility,” warned the NWS.
For the city of Fairbanks, snow totals remain uncertain, according to the NWS. The metro area and parts of the Parks Highway lie on the edge of the area of heaviest snow.
“A slightly east or west shift could cause snow to over or underperform the current expected forecast,” the NWS said on X.
National Weather Service
If the front sets up over or to the west of Fairbanks, six to eight inches or more will be possible. If the front sets up to theeast of Fairbanks, two to four inches or less will be possible, according to the NWS.
Webcams from around Fairbanks show snow on the ground. The NWS expected the snowfall to intensify through Tuesday.
Skiland and Moose Mountain, two ski areas near Fairbanks, could get a real taste of winter during the storm.
While the winter weather warnings are concentrated in Alaska’s eastern interior, the system is still set to bring snow as far south as Anchorage, where mixed precipitation is set to fall through Wednesday.
For the city, total snow accumulations between two and six inches are expected, with the highest amounts near the mountains. The local ski resort Alyeska is forecasted to see modest snowfall Tuesday and Wednesday morning, per snow-forecast.com.
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