Prudhoe Bay blizzard warning extended as advisories cover the Dalton Highway

The National Weather Service in Fairbanks extended a blizzard warning for Deadhorse and Prudhoe Bay on Saturday morning. It now runs until noon Sunday instead of 7 am Sunday. Forecasters expect gusts up to 60 mph and up to 2 more inches of snow there, and the weather service says travel should be restricted to emergencies only.

To the south, winter weather advisories cover most of the Dalton Highway on Saturday. Blowing snow could cut visibility to a half-mile at times, and snow and blowing snow on the summits and the pass could make travel difficult, the weather service said.

The longest advisory, for the Central Brooks Range, runs until 3 am Sunday. It covers Atigun Pass, Anaktuvuk Pass, Galbraith Lake and the Dalton Highway from Mile 232 to Mile 322. The Central Brooks Range advisory calls for up to 2 inches of snow and gusts as high as 40 mph.

A separate advisory for the South Slopes of the Central Brooks Range covers Coldfoot, Wiseman and the Dalton Highway from Mile 165 to Mile 232. It calls for 1 to 3 inches of snow and gusts to 35 mph until 9 pm Saturday.

The Dalton Highway Summits, the White Mountains and high terrain south of the Yukon River are under an advisory until 9 pm Saturday. Forecasters expect 1 to 3 inches of snow and gusts to 40 mph there.

Farther east, a special weather statement for the South Slopes of the Eastern Brooks Range and the Yukon Flats calls for 2 to 5 inches of snow through Saturday night. Gusts to 35 mph could cause blowing and drifting snow. The statement expires at 3 am Sunday.

Wind, snow and avalanche danger closed Atigun Pass a week ago. A weather service storm report said high winds and heavy snow led to the closure of the Dalton Highway between Mile 239 and Mile 250 on Nov. 7. Earlier, on Oct. 31, the weather service forecast 3 to 6 inches of snow on Atigun Pass and the Dalton Highway.

The weather service tells drivers to slow down and use caution. For the latest road conditions, check 511.alaska.gov or call 511.