Alaska News

More snow forecast for Anchorage Hillside and areas to the south

Update, 6:15 a.m. Sunday: A snow advisory remains in effect for the Anchorage Hillside for Sunday but less snow is expected at lower elevations than previously forecast.

In a statement issued around 5 a.m., the National Weather Service said an additional three to six inches of snow is expected through the day on the Hillside, with up to two inches in the city and the lower Hillside. Snow and freezing rain was falling over much of the area Sunday morning.

Winter storm warnings remain in effect for the eastern Kenai Peninsula and Prince William Sound, with an additional eight to 15 inches of snow, with gusts to 50 mph in Turnagain Arm, Whittier and higher elevations.

An advisory is also in effect for the western Kenai Peninsula, with two to 6 inches of additional snow through the day.

Earlier story: Heavy snow and rain was headed for the eastern Kenai Peninsula and Anchorage area Saturday, forecasters said.

About 4 p.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning, which indicates "severe winter weather conditions," for the eastern Kenai Peninsula and western Prince William Sound.

The warning would start at 6 p.m. and extend to 6 p.m. Sunday, and residents were being advised to only travel in an emergency.

ADVERTISEMENT

Meanwhile, the weather service canceled an earlier alert for the Matanuska Valley. For Anchorage and the western Kenai Peninsula, it downgraded a winter storm watch to an advisory for "snow and strong winds." The advisory was to start at midnight and end at 7 p.m. Sunday.

Between six inches and a foot of snow were still expected in higher elevations on the Anchorage Hillside and 2 to 6 inches in town, forecasters said.

"There's a lot of uncertainty as to exactly where the bulk of the snow amounts will fall," said Luis Ingram, a meteorologist in the National Weather Service's Anchorage office. He also said Anchorage could see a mix of snow and rain, but that snow was predicted.

Anchorage on Friday tied the record for most consecutive days, 36, without measurable snowfall, Ingram said. He said a no-snow Saturday would break the record.

South of Anchorage, from Turnagain Arm to Seward, between 15 and 30 inches of snow were predicted at higher elevations, Ingram said, and between 5 and 15 inches elsewhere. Forecasters predicted reduced visibility and east gusts up to 55 mph through Whittier, Portage Valley and Turnagain Arm.

An advisory was in effect for the western Kenai Peninsula, including Cooper Landing, Kenai, Soldotna and Homer, until Sunday evening, with up to 4 inches of snow predicted inland.

Devin Kelly

Devin Kelly was an ADN staff reporter.

ADVERTISEMENT