Up to 11 inches of snow expected on Richardson Highway through Isabel Pass

The National Weather Service in Fairbanks has a winter weather advisory in effect for the Richardson Highway through the Eastern Alaska Range until 10 pm Thursday, Oct. 1. Forecasters expect 6 to 11 inches of snow, with the worst between Milepost 205 and Milepost 235.

Travel could be "very difficult to impossible," the advisory says. Roads, especially bridges and overpasses, will likely turn slick.

The snow may melt as it falls during the afternoon, then pile up quickly overnight as temperatures drop below freezing, at up to an inch an hour into Thursday morning. Fairbanks forecasters warned Thursday's morning commute may be slick. Earlier this week, they said this storm could be the start of the permanent snowpack.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities says heavy snow and high winds can close the highway for days at a time. Forecasters urge drivers to slow down. Road conditions are posted at 511.alaska.gov or by calling 511.

After Thursday, forecasters expect lingering snow showers Friday and Saturday, then drier weather. Friday and Saturday mornings may be the coldest of the season so far, with lows across the Interior likely in the teens and low 20s.