Several areas of low pressure embedded within and rotating through an upper level trough will impact the state all weekend long. Warm, subtropical air is being draw up over the Pacific into southern Alaska, and along with it, rain and snow showers. While rain will be the more likely scenario of the Aleutians, Kodiak Island, PWS, and the Southeast Panhandle, snow will mix in during the early morning hours. Snow showers are possible along the Susitna, in Valdez and the Copper River Basin, and across much of the West.
Winter Weather Advisories for 2 to 5 inches of snow are in effect near the Nulato Hills of western Alaska. Lighter amounts will fall toward the coast. Isolated pockets of flurries activity can be expected in Fairbanks and surounding areas.
While most of the state will be anywhere from 5 to 25 degrees above average for this time of year, the Arctic Slope will remain very cold. Highs will range from 5 below to 25 below. Blustery winds will bring wind chills down to 50 below over the western North Slope and Brooks Range.
Mild to warm weather will isolated showers will persist in Anchorage and the Mat Su all the way through the weekend, as three different lows swing out of the Aleutians into the Southwest. Winds may become strong Sunday. This could lead to a Chinook wind event, with temperatures Sunday spiking into the 40s for a few hours.
Please keep abreast of conditions if you have travel or outdoor plans. Models continue to refine the forecast through the weekend. Updates may need to be made from time to time.
