Winter Storm Watch
Anchorage and Kenai Peninsula boroughs, AK · from Sat 3:00 PM AKST
Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.
* WHAT...Moderate to heavy snowfall possible.
* WHERE...Anchorage and Eagle River (all elevations), East Turnagain Arm, Western Kenai Peninsula, Southern Kenai Mtns, Interior Kenai Peninsula, and Turnagain Pass.
* WHEN...From Saturday afternoon through late Sunday night.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Longwave troughing in the Bering Sea hedges east as inverted troughing in the Gulf of Alaska tracks west. A snow band will set up and stall over Anchorage/Kenai Peninsula tomorrow afternoon through Sunday bringing rounds of moderate to heavy snowfall. There is moderate uncertainty as to where the snow band will ultimately end up, resulting in lower confidence for snowfall amounts. Warmer temperatures filters in Sunday afternoon from east to west, transitioning snow to rain.
*Low/High end values are as follows:
- Anchorage/Eagle River & western Kenai Peninsula: 2-4" (Low end)/6-10" (High end). Higher elevations: up to a foot possible.
- Seward: 1-3" (Low end)/3-6" (High end).
- Turnagain Pass to Moose Pass: 7 to 11" possible.
- Portage: 9-11" with snowfall rates of up to 1" an hour.
What to do during a Winter Storm Watch
- 1Stock upFood, water, medicine and batteries for a few days.
- 2Plan around the stormMove trips earlier or later if you can.
- 3Get your car readyA full tank, a scraper, blankets and a phone charger.
- 4Keep alerts onThe watch may become a warning as the storm gets closer.
Winter Storm Watch vs. Warning
Winter Storm Watch questions
How far ahead is a watch issued?
Usually 12 to 48 hours before the storm.
Will it become a warning?
If the storm becomes more certain it is usually upgraded to a warning or an advisory, or cancelled if it misses.