Anchorage, AK – A major winter storm is expected to impact portions of western Alaska starting late Wednesday night, with heavy snow, powerful winds, and potential blizzard conditions forecast through Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service in Anchorage, a Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for the Eastern Aleutians, including Unalaska, Akutan, and Nikolski, from late Wednesday through Saturday morning. Forecast models suggest between 8 to 18 inches of snow could accumulate, accompanied by wind gusts reaching 60 mph, significantly reducing visibility to half a mile or less.
In a separate advisory, the Kuskokwim Delta Coast, including Kipnuk, Toksook Bay, Quinhagak, and Nunivak Island, is also under a Winter Storm Watch for the same period. This region could see 4 to 8 inches of snow and gusts up to 40 mph, with visibilities dropping to a quarter mile at times due to blowing snow. Blizzard conditions are possible, particularly from Thursday evening through Friday.
The storm system will likely begin as rain before transitioning to snow as temperatures fall into the lower 30s early Thursday. The heaviest snowfall and wind are expected between Thursday morning and Friday morning in the Aleutians, with a potential rain-snow mix late Friday. For the Kuskokwim Delta, the storm’s impact is expected to ease by Saturday afternoon as conditions begin to improve from south to north.
Travel in these regions may become extremely hazardous during peak storm activity. Residents are advised to monitor updates from local authorities and prepare for potential disruptions.
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