Winter storm warnings issued for the Interior, with 2 to 3 feet possible in Isabel Pass

The National Weather Service in Fairbanks upgraded winter storm watches to warnings Sunday afternoon for Delta Junction, Fortymile Country, the Upper Tanana Valley, the Eastern Alaska Range, the Upper Chena River Valley, the Yukon Flats and the White Mountains. The Fairbanks North Star Borough, Nenana and the Denali Borough remain under watches.

The heaviest snow is forecast for the Eastern Alaska Range, where the warning runs 7 am Monday to 4 am Thursday. Forecasters expect 18 to 36 inches above 2,500 feet and 12 to 24 inches below. The weather service said travel will be "very difficult to impossible."

The Northern Alaska forecast discussion expects snow falling at more than an inch an hour at times Monday night through Tuesday night, with 2 to 3 feet possible in Isabel Pass. "The heaviest will be in Isabel Pass where we might be measuring snow in feet," forecasters wrote.

Before the snow, a Wind Advisory north of Trims Camp calls for gusts up to 65 mph from midnight Sunday night to 10 pm Monday.

The Delta Junction warning runs 10 pm Monday to 4 pm Wednesday. It calls for 6 to 12 inches in Delta Junction, 12 to 18 inches between Tanacross and Dot Lake, and 2 to 5 inches from Northway to the Alcan Border. Gusts up to 35 mph could bring blowing snow that significantly reduces visibility.

From 10 am Tuesday, the Upper Chena River Valley, Yukon Flats, White Mountains and Eagle Summit could see 5 to 10 inches, heaviest southeast of Fort Yukon. The Denali Borough watch calls for 6 to 12 inches, heaviest near Healy.

The Fairbanks and Nenana watch calls for 4 to 8 inches Tuesday morning through Wednesday afternoon. The storm could affect Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes. Where the snow falls is uncertain: "A 30 mile change east or west will result in drastic differences," the office said. Some forecast guidance shows 6 to 8 inches near Eielson and about 2 inches in Fairbanks.

The weather service advises drivers to carry a flashlight, food, water and warm clothing, and to check 511.alaska.gov or call 511.