Severe Winter Storm Warning Issued for Parts of Alaska With Up to 15 Inches of Snow

A powerful winter storm is threatening central Alaska with heavy snowfall, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a winter storm warning for the Northern Susitna Valley. Forecasters predict total snow accumulations ranging from 7 to 15 inches through Friday afternoon, bringing severe winter weather conditions that are expected to make travel very hazardous.

The warning, issued by the NWS Anchorage office, is in effect from 1 p.m. Thursday to 2 p.m. Friday, Alaska Daylight Time. The affected region encompasses Chulitna, Broad Pass, and the Denali Highway, creating significant concerns for motorists traveling along the vital Parks Highway, which serves as a major route connecting Anchorage and Fairbanks.

Meteorologists indicate that light snow began falling Thursday morning, with initial accumulations of 2 to 4 inches anticipated before the formal warning period even begins. The intensity of the storm is expected to increase significantly during the afternoon, with the heaviest snowfall concentrated overnight through Friday morning, occasionally reducing visibility to a quarter-mile or less.

As temperatures potentially warm above freezing on Friday afternoon, the precipitation could mix with or change to rain. Transportation officials note that rain falling onto fresh snow can create a heavy, wet surface, compounding driving difficulties and increasing the time required for vehicles to stop safely.

While the primary winter storm warning covers the Northern Susitna Valley, the National Weather Service Fairbanks office has issued separate winter weather advisories for adjacent regions. These advisories anticipate 4 to 8 inches of snow in the southern Denali Borough, including Cantwell, and 6 to 12 inches in the eastern Alaska Range near Trims Camp along the Richardson Highway corridor.

State transportation authorities have urged motorists to avoid nonessential travel through the affected mountain corridors until weather conditions improve. Drivers who must travel are advised to check official road conditions via Alaska 511 before departure, keep headlights illuminated, and carry emergency supplies such as a flashlight, drinking water, and food.

Officials also remind drivers following snowplow equipment to maintain a distance of at least 200 feet, as snow removal operations can kick up blowing snow and severely impair visibility. The winter storm warning is currently scheduled to expire Friday afternoon, though updates may be issued depending on the storm's progression.