Updated, 10:20 p.m.:
Anchorage was hit with heavy snow on Friday night, and forecasters said some parts of the city could see up to 11 inches by the time the storm tapers off.
Blowing snow was making visibility difficult on many city roads and streets.
Accumulations between 6 inches and 11 inches were expected across the city, with less in the northern areas and toward Eagle River and Birchwood, the National Weather Service said. The snow was expected to taper off after midnight.
Earlier story:
The National Weather Service is warning drivers in the Anchorage Bowl that a surge of cold air from the south Friday night will freeze wet surfaces, ice over roadways and bring snow.
Between three and six inches of snow is in the forecast with blowing snow limiting visibility and prompting the weather service to issue a winter weather advisory for Anchorage, Eagle River, Indian and Eklutna until midnight. By 7:15 p.m., there was less than an inch of accumulation, said Bob Clay, meteorologist with the weather service.
Forecasters say snow will remain steady and heavy at times across the Anchorage Bowl, tapering off after midnight with temperatures dipping into the low 20s.
Over the weekend, temperatures will remain below freezing. Isolated snow showers are in the forecast for Saturday night and there is a slight chance of snow Sunday morning, the weather service said.
Meanwhile, a blizzard warning remains in effect for the western Kenai Peninsula until midnight Friday. As much as 8 inches of snow could fall on the cities of Kenai, Soldotna, Homer and Copper Landing. The weather service warns that strong winds and blowing snow may produce white-out conditions at times and driving may become very difficult.
A special backcountry avalanche bulletin was also issued for the Kenai and Western Chugach Mountains in and near the Turnagain Arm through Saturday. Two storms this week dropped between three and five feet of snow, creating unstable avalanche conditions, said forecasters with the Cugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center.
Reach Tegan Hanlon at thanlon@adn.com or 257-4589.
By TEGAN HANLON