Weather
Interior Alaska Winter Storm Watch: Up to 30 Inches of Snow This Week Oct 19-22
Fairbanks, AK – A potentially significant winter storm is approaching Interior Alaska, with up to 30 inches of snow possible in portions of the Alaska Range and strong winds threatening hazardous trav
By Jenna Hartley · 2026-10-18T17:36:48.357Z
Fairbanks, AK – A potentially significant winter storm is approaching Interior Alaska, with up to 30 inches of snow possible in portions of the Alaska Range and strong winds threatening hazardous travel conditions beginning Monday.
According to the National Weather Service in Fairbanks, winter storm watches have expanded across the Central Interior as an approaching weather system brings the potential for substantial snowfall, blowing snow and wind gusts reaching 40 mph.
Heavy Snow Could Begin Monday A winter storm watch covering the Denali Borough, Eastern Alaska Range, Delta Junction, Upper Tanana Valley and Fortymile Country begins Monday at 7 a.m. and continues through Thursday at 4 a.m.
Forecasters anticipate 6 to 12 inches of snow across the Tanana Valley, Fortymile Country and Denali Borough.
Higher elevations near Isabel Pass could receive considerably more, with accumulations ranging from 18 to 30 inches.
Wind gusts could reach 40 mph, potentially creating blowing snow and reduced visibility.
Fairbanks Included in Expanded Watches A separate winter storm watch takes effect Tuesday at 10 a.m. and continues through Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Affected locations include Fairbanks North Star Borough, Nenana, Upper Chena River Valley, White Mountains, Eagle Summit and Yukon Flats.
Forecast snowfall amounts include:
Fairbanks, Nenana and Upper Chena: 4 to 8 inches. White Mountains, Eagle Summit and Yukon Flats: 5 to 10 inches. Wind gusts could reach 35 mph in these areas.
Travel Conditions Could Deteriorate Winter weather is expected to reach the Alaska Range and Upper Tanana Valley as early as Monday evening before spreading north into the Eastern Interior by Tuesday morning.
Snow covered roads, blowing snow and reduced visibility could complicate travel, particularly along exposed highways and mountain passes.
Residents should prepare for changing conditions and monitor updates from the National Weather Service.
A winter storm watch indicates potentially hazardous winter weather, with exact snowfall amounts and impacts still subject to change.