According to the NWS warning, an area of low pressure will bring strong winds and widespread precipitation to much of Southcentral Alaska from late Tuesday through late Wednesday. Strong winds are expected from the Matanuska Valley southward through the Cook Inlet. Winds gusting to 30 mph will result in reduced visibility to one half mile at times.
Gusty northerly winds will develop this evening, strongest along and near Cook Inlet. Snow will develop near Anchor Point late this evening and spread north to Nikiski overnight. The snow and blowing snow will be fairly short-lived in any given location, on the order of a few hours. Temperatures will warm overnight, possibly causing a changeover to rain before precipitation ends early Wednesday morning.
Plan on slippery road conditions. Falling and blowing snow will reduce visibilities to one half mile at times
Stronger wind gusts out of the Matanuska Valley may reduce visibility even further in locations such as Palmer and Wasilla.
Snow is expected to begin across the Kenai Peninsula and Anchorage Tuesday and then the Mat-Su Valley early Wednesday morning. A couple inches of snowfall are expected for much of the area before transitioning to rain on Wednesday as temperatures warm above freezing. Rain on snow may reduce blowing snow potential.
A major winter storm could bring a variety of weather to Anchorage tonight through Thursday. North winds gusting 15 to 25 mph will cause areas of blowing snow and low visibilities, primarily along Knik Arm and the Glenn Highway corridor down to north to west Anchorage.
There is then a large amount of uncertainty in the track of a storm system across the Gulf. One potential scenario would bring periods of light snow, possibly mixed with rain Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon. This would produce generally light amounts of snow.
A second scenario would bring heavy snow to Anchorage beginning by midday Wednesday and continuing through Wednesday night or Thursday. With this solution snowfall totals would be significant, with a foot or more of snow possible, especially along the Anchorage and Eagle River Hillsides and the Hiland Road area.
Slow down and use caution while traveling.
For the latest road conditions call 5 1 1 or visit 511.alaska.gov.