Alaska News

Winter storm warning issued for Southeast Alaska

Heavy snowfall was headed for Southeast Alaska Saturday night, and the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning in anticipation of the region's first significant snowfall of the season.

Forecasters said a low pressure system moving across the Gulf of Alaska will push warm, moist air into the region and generate a powerful blizzard. The warning for Juneau, Petersburg, Wrangell and Hyder, which is more urgent than an advisory, will be in effect from midnight to 4 p.m. Sunday.

"During this 36-hour winter weather event, snowfall amounts ranging from 2 inches to as much as 18 inches are forecast," the weather service wrote on Facebook. "The high snowfall amounts could lead to snow removal issues and hazardous driving conditions."

The storm was expected to begin late Saturday evening and taper off by early Sunday, with snowfall at times accumulating up to an inch an hour, according to a weather service bulletin posted online.

A blanket in Anchorage

Snow fell steadily throughout the day Saturday in Anchorage, but just enough for a solid winter coating.

By late afternoon, forecasters recorded 2.8 inches of snow on the upper Hillside and 2 inches at the weather service's office in West Anchorage. Palmer also recorded 2 inches, said Joe Wegman, a meteorologist with the agency's Anchorage office.

The last snowflakes were falling around 4:30 p.m., Wegman said.

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"It was never expected to be a long event," he said.

"Sadly," Saturday saw the area's most significant snowfall of November, Andy Dixon, another Anchorage meteorologist, said Saturday morning. Earlier in the week, about 1/10 of an inch was measured at the Anchorage National Weather Service office.

Devin Kelly

Devin Kelly was an ADN staff reporter.

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