Weather

Winter storm warning issued for Fairbanks area, much of northern Alaska

The Fairbanks area and much of northern and Western Alaska can expect severe winter weather conditions going into Sunday and Monday.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Fairbanks and many of its surrounding communities from 3 a.m. Sunday until noon Monday.

Travel will be difficult, the weather service said. Snow accumulations are predicted to be between 6 and 9 inches, with the heaviest snow expected during the day Sunday.

"West winds will gust to 30 mph from Sunday afternoon through Sunday night causing blowing and drifting snow," the warning said.

A winter storm warning is also in effect or soon to be in effect for a large area including Point Hope, Ambler, Anaktuvuk Pass, Wainwright, Prudhoe Bay and Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow), in some communities until Sunday evening and in others into early Monday.

Heavy snow and blowing snow are expected, with accumulations up to a foot forecast for some areas. Travel is expected to be "very hazardous or impossible" in places, the weather service said.

A flood warning is also in effect for several communities along Alaska's northern and western coasts from Saturday through Monday morning. In Wainwright and Point Lay, sea levels are expected to rise 4 to 7 feet above normal tides, the weather service said. People should remove their property off the beach, the warning said.

You can look up specific conditions for your area 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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