Copper River Valley could see near-zero lows tonight after snow advisories end

Overnight lows could fall to near zero in parts of the Copper River Valley tonight, the National Weather Service said Thursday, as clear, cold weather follows this week's snow.

An upper ridge strengthening over Southcentral Alaska will keep conditions drier and cooler through Friday, according to the weather service's forecast discussion. Highs will be in the 20s in the Copper River Basin, with lows well below normal, in the single digits to near zero in parts of the Copper River Valley if skies stay clear. The forecast for Paxson calls for a low around zero tonight and a high around 18 Friday.

Snow advisories for the area ended by early Wednesday. The Northern Copper Valley advisory had forecast up to 20 inches of snow from Paxson north. It expired at 4 am Wednesday, when the weather service said the threat of significant additional snow had ended. The Thompson Pass advisory had called for 10 to 16 more inches near the top of the pass. The weather service canceled it early, at 9:35 pm Tuesday.

At Thompson Pass, the forecast calls for sun Friday and light winds, with a slight chance of snow Saturday afternoon and snow and rain likely Sunday. The Northern Copper Valley has a chance of snow Sunday.

Farther west, the front of a strong Bering Sea low could bring rain to Kodiak and the southeastern Kenai Peninsula by Saturday afternoon, the weather service said.

Road conditions are posted at 511.alaska.gov or by calling 511.