Up to 6 inches of snow possible in Isabel Pass by Wednesday night

Drivers could find slick roads in Isabel Pass starting Monday night, when snow is forecast to begin. The National Weather Service says up to 6 inches could fall by Wednesday night.

A special weather statement from NWS Fairbanks, a heads-up rather than a warning or advisory, covers the Eastern Alaska Range north of Trims Camp, Richardson Highway mileposts 224 to 259. It was issued at 1:58 p.m. Sunday and expires at 4 p.m. Monday.

Forecasters expect cooler temperatures through midweek, conditions that could bring the season's first accumulations. "This could be the start of the permanent snow pack," the statement said, meaning snow that stays rather than melting.

The office's Northern Alaska forecast discussion attributed the heavier snow potential in the eastern Alaska Range to upslope flow, air pushed up the mountain slopes. Areas along the Richardson Highway could see 3 to 5 inches through Wednesday night, with heavier amounts over the peaks. Across the Interior, areas above 1,200 feet should see mostly snow and 1 to 2 inches, while valleys start as rain with little accumulation.

In late August, a winter weather advisory for the Eastern Alaska Range called for 5 to 8 inches at higher elevations of the Richardson Highway north of Isabel Pass, with gusts to 40 mph.

The same statement covers the Fairbanks Metro Area, Eielson Air Force Base, Salcha, Two Rivers, the Chena and Chatanika river valleys, the Dalton Highway summits, and the White Mountains and high terrain south of the Yukon River. It calls for 1 to 3 inches over the same period. Lower-elevation snow will be very wet and likely melt during the day, with highs in the low 40s.

Alaska 511 posts road conditions for the route at 511.alaska.gov or by calling 511.