A winter storm warning has been issued for south-central Alaska, bringing forecasts of up to 15 inches of snow, hazardous travel conditions, and sharply reduced visibility along major regional transportation corridors.
The severe weather threatens critical ground links between Anchorage and Fairbanks, forcing transportation officials to urge extreme caution, with rapidly accumulating snow and shifting temperatures threatening to disrupt travel, create slick mountain passes, and reduce visibility to a quarter mile or less during peak commuting hours.
A winter storm warning takes effect across south-central Alaska, bringing forecasts of up to 15 inches of snow, hazardous travel conditions, and sharply reduced visibility along major regional transportation corridors through Friday. The National Weather Service issued the alert for the Northern Susitna Valley, predicting total accumulations between 7 and 15 inches, with an additional 3 to 6 inches possible before the official warning period begins. The storm directly impacts the Parks Highway corridor through Broad Pass, serving as the main road link between Anchorage and Fairbanks, as well as the Denali Highway, Chulitna, and other areas.
Hazardous Highway Conditions
The storm poses a significant threat to transportation in the region, with the Parks Highway corridor through Broad Pass being a critical route. Alaska’s Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has deployed crews to manage the heavy accumulation, with 1,320 personnel working to clear roads. Drivers must keep headlights on manually and stay at least 200 feet back from active snow removal equipment, with a total of 35 snowplows operating in the area. The Denali Highway, a seasonal route, concluded its maintenance schedule on October 1, and drivers should exercise extreme caution when traveling on this road.
The Northern Susitna Valley, including areas such as Broad Pass and Chulitna, will be heavily impacted by the storm, with total accumulations reaching up to 15 inches. The National Weather Service has issued a warning for the area, predicting rapidly accumulating snow and low visibility. Drivers should be aware of the hazardous conditions and plan their routes accordingly, with at least 7 inches of snow expected to fall before the warning period begins.
Safety Precautions
Motorists face treacherous roads as temperatures hover near freezing levels, with temperatures expected to rise above freezing on Friday afternoon, potentially causing the heavy snow to mix with or transition directly into rain. Officials explicitly warn drivers against passing any snowplow on the right side during operations, with a total of 15 snowplows operating in the area. Travelers should monitor updated forecasts as the winter system moves across the region, with the National Weather Service providing regular updates. Local emergency management teams remain on standby to assist stranded motorists along affected mountain passes until conditions improve late Friday, with at least 6 inches of snow expected to fall during the warning period.
The winter storm warning affects several areas, including Anchorage, Fairbanks, and the surrounding regions. Drivers should be aware of the hazardous conditions and plan their routes accordingly, with at least 3 inches of snow expected to fall before the warning period begins. The National Weather Service has issued a warning for the area, predicting rapidly accumulating snow and low visibility, with a total of 15 inches of snow expected to fall during the warning period.
The winter storm warning is in effect until 6 p.m. Friday, with travelers advised to exercise extreme caution when traveling in the affected areas, including the Northern Susitna Valley, Parks Highway corridor, Denali Highway, Chulitna, Anchorage, and Fairbanks.