Weather

Blizzard warning in effect for much of Western Alaska

A blizzard warning is in effect or will soon be in effect for many communities in Western Alaska through Sunday afternoon, the National Weather Service said Saturday.

St. Lawrence Island, Nome, Unalakleet, Buckland, Deering, Point Hope and nearby communities can expect wind gusts as high as 40 or 50 mph in some areas (and higher for St. Lawrence Island), the weather service said.

In combination with a forecast that calls for as much as a foot of snow in many places under the warning, "this will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous," the weather service said on its website.

[Colder winter forecast for Southcentral Alaska, but warmer in rural regions with shrinking sea ice]

The blizzard warning lasts until 3 p.m. Sunday. Much of Southwest Alaska is also under a winter storm warning through Sunday afternoon, and can expect snow, freezing rain and hazardous travel conditions.

Wind gusts as high as 75 mph are expected in Bethel and other parts of Southwest Alaska, where a high wind warning is in effect from midnight Saturday until 3 p.m. Sunday.

Cold Bay and Sand Point are also under a high wind warning starting Sunday at 6 a.m. through Monday at 3 a.m., the weather service said. Gusts up to 90 mph are expected.

You can find weather conditions for your community on the National Weather Service website.

Annie Zak

Annie Zak was a business reporter for the ADN between 2015 and 2019.

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