More snow to fall in Anchorage as blizzard conditions expected for Seward and Whittier
Mar. 1—Anchorage could see several more inches of snow on Wednesday and into Thursday morning, according to a winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service.
Between 4 and 10 inches of snow is expected by early Thursday, with the highest totals accumulating on the Hillside, said meteorologist Kaitlyn O'Brien. Moderate to heavy snow was expected to begin midday on Wednesday and taper off toward evening.
Wind gusts up to 25 mph could produce blowing snow and reduce visibility on roads.
On Tuesday, 3.7 inches of snow was recorded near the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport while 1.5 inches was reported in East Anchorage and at a higher elevation on Potter Valley Road.
The worst conditions are expected in Portage Valley, eastern Turnagain Arm and Whittier, according to a blizzard warning issued by the weather service. Snow and gusty winds combined on Tuesday, causing whiteout conditions along portions of the Seward Highway.
Up to 2 more inches of snow could fall near Seward on Wednesday, the warning said. Northerly winds are expected to gust up to 50 mph on Wednesday morning before diminishing in the afternoon. The strong winds paired with light snow will likely create whiteout conditions and snowdrifts.
Eastern winds hit Portage Valley and eastern Turnagain Arm on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Gusts up to 40 mph were recorded Wednesday morning, O'Brien said, and visibility was between a quarter-mile and zero. Winds are expected to shift west Wednesday afternoon through Portage Valley and continue into Thursday.
Storm totals are expected to be between 6 and 10 inches from the Hope Cutoff to Seward, O'Brien said, and 10 to 18 inches was expected in total for Whittier, Portage and Turnagain Pass.
The western Kenai Peninsula will get another 1 to 3 inches of snow by Wednesday afternoon, with north winds gusting up to 40 mph, according to a separate winter weather advisory. In total, the storm was expected to drop 1 to 7 inches on the area since it started on Tuesday, O'Brien said.
