A storm system is bringing snow to Southcentral Alaska. The area will see a rain/snow mix Thursday, with heavier snow possible in western areas Friday morning. The storm will also bring heavy rain and gusty winds to Southeast Alaska and warmer temperatures to the Interior.
A couple of inches of snow looks possible as a band of snow sets up over the Cook Inlet late ThursdayANCHORAGE, Alaska - Our next storm system — in what will be a series of storms this week — is moving into Southcentral Alaska as we speak.
Largely expected to see rain for coastal regions Thursday, while inland areas will see more in the way of a mix. There are some initial concerns this morning as drier air in the lower levels of the atmosphere is leading to most of the moisture evaporating. Looking at the radar, one would assume there is snow or rain falling for inland areas of Southcentral. However, that isn’t the case, as the drier layer above the surface needs to become saturated before precipitation makes it to the surface.
For western areas of Southcentral, we’ll be watching a band of heavier snow set up somewhere over the Cook Inlet region. Where it sets up will greatly determine our snow coverage into Friday morning. Right now, the current thinking is that the band will set up through the Valley, down through western parts of the Anchorage Bowl and into the Kenai Peninsula. This deformation band will lead to our greatest chance for accumulation.
The rest of Southeast Alaska will largely see heavy rain and gusty conditions. As the area of low pressure moves into the eastern gulf, we’ll also see a push of warmer air at the surface and aloft into the Panhandle. This will lead to additional snow melt in higher elevations, as the snow level rises higher. Additional snowmelt, on top of the 2 to 3 inches of rain through Friday, could lead to some minor flooding in low-lying areas and poor drainage locations.
Some light snow is expected for eastern areas of the Interior, where an inch or so of snow looks likely. Otherwise, the rest of the Interior will just see some light flurry activity into the evening, with little to no accumulation.
ALASKA WEATHER SNOW STORM RAIN WIND
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