The National Weather Service in Anchorage has issued a Winter Storm Watch in effect Sunday morning, December 26th, through Monday morning, December 27th, for Portage Valley and the Eastern Turnagain Arm.
According to the the National Weather Service, significant icing is possible. Total ice accumulations of up to four tenths of an inch possible near Portage Valley and Eastern Turnagain Arm. This storm may impact holiday travel on Seward Highway.
Power outages and tree damage are possible due to the ice. Travel could be extremely hazardous. The hazardous conditions could impact holiday travel on Sunday and the Monday morning commute.
Any early Sunday morning snow will quickly transition over to freezing rain through Portage Valley and Eastern Turnagain Arm. Occasionally heavy precipitation rates are likely to cause significant icing along the Seward Highway. For higher elevations of the Seward Highway, all rain is expected as temperatures rise above freezing, with the heaviest amounts the further north you go. However, rain and drizzle falling on the frozen ground will still cause very slick conditions all along the Seward Highway corridor.
According to the the National Weather Service, confidence is high that there will be periods of freezing rain, but much lower on amounts and the timing.