Snow expected to continue for several hours in Anchorage

Update, 7 a.m. Thursday: Snow was falling across the Anchorage area, with up to two inches forecast. Many roads were slick, with blowing snow.

As of 7 a.m., Anchorage police dispatchers had received four calls reporting non-injury vehicle accidents, four vehicle-in-distress calls and one call reporting an injury accident since midnight.

Bill Ludwig, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said roughly one-half inch of snow had fallen in West Anchorage by 7 a.m., though the weather service will not take its official measurement until later in the morning.

He said the agency had received a report that parts of Eagle River saw up to an inch of new snow Thursday morning.

"We're kind of in it now so I'd expect a few more hours of decent snow," he said.

Original story from Wednesday night:

A fast-moving cold front will bring a "quick burst" of snow to Southcentral Alaska early Thursday and could lead to a dicey morning commute in cities including Anchorage, Palmer and Wasilla, the National Weather Service warned.

"In the addition to the potential for slippery roads, cold temperatures will allow for snow to easily be blown around by traffic leading to significantly reduced driving visibilities at times," the weather service said in a statement Wednesday evening.

Snow is expected to start falling around 6 a.m. Thursday, with the cold front spreading across the Susitna and Matanuska valleys, the western Kenai Peninsula and the Anchorage area, according to the weather service.

The snow is forecast to increase in intensity between 8 and 9 a.m., tapering off by midday.

The weather service expects an inch or 2 of new snow in most parts of town, with up to 3 inches possible in higher elevations.