Freezing rain could make Arctic Coast travel slippery through Wednesday

Drivers on the Beaufort Sea Coast and the Arctic Plains could face slippery roads through noon Wednesday under a special weather statement from the National Weather Service Fairbanks.

The statement took effect at 11:10 p.m. Tuesday and runs until noon Wednesday. It covers the Central and Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast and the Western and Central Arctic Plains.

Forecasters expect rain and snow showers. "Pockets of freezing rain and freezing drizzle could lead to light ice accumulations and, as a result, slippery travel and surface conditions," the statement said.

A warm front lifting north over colder surface air is the cause. Precipitation should begin as a mix of freezing rain and snow, then turn to mostly snow during daytime hours.

The agency urges travelers to slow down and check 511.alaska.gov or call 511 for road conditions. Alaska 511 lists freezing rain and ice glaze among the conditions that make winter travel hazardous.

Tuesday night's statement is the latest of several for the region this year. NWS Fairbanks issued similar special weather statements for the Central and Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast on July 14 and July 15, warning of light freezing rain or drizzle near Kaktovik and Point Thomson with minimal ice accumulation.