Fairbanks, Alaska – Whiteout conditions and wind gusts up to 45 mph are already reducing visibility to a quarter mile across parts of northern and western Alaska, making travel dangerous through Tuesday morning and, in some areas, into Wednesday afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service in Fairbanks, multiple Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect across the North Slope, Seward Peninsula, Interior and Denali Borough. Blizzard conditions continue along the Central and Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast, Central Arctic Plains and Brooks Range until noon Tuesday, with gusts reaching 40 mph around Prudhoe Bay, Deadhorse and Kaktovik.
On the Seward Peninsula, including Nome, Golovin and White Mountain, winds up to 45 mph will drive blowing snow through 9 a.m. Tuesday. Visibility may drop to one-quarter mile or less, especially near Koyuk and Shaktoolik along the Norton Sound.
In the Central Interior, including Fairbanks, North Pole and Nenana, an additional 3 to 6 inches of snow is expected through 6 a.m. Wednesday. Westerly winds strengthening through the Tanana Valley could produce blowing snow and drifting along the Parks, Richardson and Elliott highways. Snow buildup on frozen rivers may also lead to overflow in low-lying areas.
Northern Denali Borough, including Healy and stretches of the Parks Highway, will see 3 to 6 inches of additional snow and gusts up to 35 mph through 3 p.m. Wednesday, especially above 1,500 feet.
Officials urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel and check 511.alaska.gov for real-time road updates. Warnings remain in effect through at least Tuesday morning in many regions, with interior impacts lasting into midweek.
