A broad low is trekking across the northern Gulf of Alaska. While this low is weakened from yesterday, it is still responsible for rain and snow in the Panhandle, snow over the Interior, and rain and snow with lingering winds in Southcentral. Up to half a foot is likely through tonight in and around Juneau with rain for the Outer Islands of SE. Several more inches and chilly temps will persist over the central and eastern Interior.
As the wrap-around moisture behind the low swings through Southcentral today, light to moderate snow is likely through the evening hours. An inch or two is possible in Anchorage and the Valley, with heavier amounts along and west of the Susitna River. Expect highs in the upper 20s and 30s.
A weakly amplified upper level ridge has brough clearing to the western third of the state. It will move east over the rest of Alaska tonight. This ridge is being pinched by a digging upper trough over the Bering. Thus, clearing will be short-lived. Expect sunshine during the morning hours of Saturday in Anchorage. However, clouds will move into the west coast this afternoon ahead of a rapidly strengthening low in the Bering. A Blizzard Watch is posted for the lower Kuskokwim tomorrow, including the Bethel area.
The recent pattern of deep upper level troughing and weak ridging has made for longer periods of inclement weather and brief periods of clearing. Changes from this pattern will be subtle over the next week. Once this next low pulls through the state Saturday and Sunday, a more robust ridge will settle over western Alaska, bringing drier weather through Tuesday. Look for cold winds from the north along Cook Inlet early in the week. Another strong storm will slam the west coast Wednesday.
