A major spring storm over the Bering Sea is pounding the west coast at this time. Heavy snow and winds from 15 to 40 mph are combining to create blizzard conditions along the western capes of Bristol Bay, the Kuskokwim delta, and St. Lawrence Island. Winter Weather advisories and Winter Storm warnings are spread over much of the rest of the west.
Blizzards will abate later this morning. Scattered snow showers are likely through the afternoon. A strong southerly flow has brought a return to spring-like temps. Highs will range from the 30s in the Alaska Peninsula to teens and 20s around the Y-K Delta.
Snow is spreading into Southcentral as the front continues to push eastward. The center of the low in the Bering will stall out, weaken, and back to the west a little bit today. By the time the front arrives in Southcentral, it will be considerably weaker. While snow and areas of blowing snow are possible this evening into tonight, blizzard conditions will be very limited and snow totals will be generally lighter.
Travel is not advised down Turnagain Arm tonight. A Blizzard Warning goes into effect at 7 pm for the Arm EAST OF GIRDWOOD to Portage Valley. Strong winds and periods of moderate to heavy snow may reduce visibilities to less than a quarter mile at times. Winds will lighten up Saturday morning.
Temps will start to climb today. Highs will be near 30 today then into the mid to upper 30s tomorrow in Anchorage, the Kenai, and the Mat Su. It will get too warm to support snow in some spots. Coastal areas of PWS and the eastern Kenai may see rain or a rain/snow mix tomorrow.
The northern Interior and Slope remain cold and dry. Clouds increase late and temps warm 5 to 10 degrees tomorrow. SE will hold off on wide-spread precipitation until tomorrow after isolated showers over the southern Panhandle today.
Look for snow to increase in Anchorage by evening. It will continue overnight and early tomorrow. Total snow accumulations will be from 1 to 2 inches, with higher amounts in the mountains. Gusty winds to 50 mph are possible down the Arm and over the upper elevations of town.
The Valley will see only light accumulations. However, west of the Parks Highway along the the Susitna, moisture will be upsloped along the mountains, wringing out 10+'' locally through tomorrow.
