Weather
RSSWeather in Alaska is the short-term conditions and forecasts tracked by the National Weather Service across the state. It covers storms, high winds, snow, flooding, high surf and dense fog that prompt advisories, watches and warnings for Alaska communities.
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El Nino could become the strongest on record, pointing Alaska toward a warmer winter
El Nino could become the strongest on record, federal forecasters said Thursday. They now give it about a 60% chance of surpassing every El Nino in records going back to 1950.
It's been building all fall, and in Anchorage, fall has hung on. Lawns stayed green for weeks longer than usual. The first hard freeze didn't come until Oct. 22, the second-latest in more than 70 years, and the temperature hasn't dropped to 20 degrees yet. In most years, it has by now.
Forecasts still point to a warmer-than-normal winter for much of Alaska, despite talk this week that the polar vortex has "broken down."
The Climate Prediction Center gives a strong to very strong El Nino better than a 79% chance of lasting through March. A very strong event makes El Nino's usual effects more likely, but not certain, forecasters said.
El Nino starts with unusually warm water in the tropical Pacific, which changes rainfall and winds there and bends the jet stream thousands of miles away.
In winter, it tends to push the storm track south of most of mainland Alaska.
The usual Alaska pattern is a warmer, stormier fall followed by a warmer, drier winter, according to the USDA's Northwest Climate Hub.
Forecasters have expected a strong El Nino since summer. Their winter outlook favors warmer-than-normal weather in eastern Alaska from November through January, with the best odds in Southeast, and drier-than-normal conditions across much of the mainland.
Parts of western Alaska have no clear temperature favorite.
Snow is harder to call. Anchorage has had less than an inch this season, one of the 10 smallest totals for this point in more than 70 years of records, while Bettles had its snowiest October on record.
Extra warmth can turn snow to rain on the coast and at low elevations that hover near freezing, and one or two big storms can make a community's season.
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Latest
Week of Nov 9
Freezing rain advisory expands to Lower Matanuska and Southern Susitna valleys
Freezing rain advisory now covers Lower Mat-Su and Southern Susitna valleys until 5am Thursday, hitting the morning commute. • Anchorage, Eagle River and western Kenai advisories warn of possible power outages too. • Comes days after Tuesday icing caused 22 Anchorage crashes and a jackknifed semi on the Glenn Highway.
by Walter AlaskaNews17h ago2 min read
Winds hit 92 mph at Cordova Harbor, topping the forecast
Forecasters told Cordova to expect gusts up to 80 mph overnight. The harbor clocked 92 mph instead, as a Gulf storm swept across Southcentral.
by Walter AlaskaNews2d ago1 min read
Highway crews measure up to 32 inches of snow near Thompson Pass after blizzard
Blizzard dumped up to 32 inches of snow near Thompson Pass on the Richardson Highway, double what warnings predicted. Winds hit 50 mph before the warning was lifted Tuesday morning.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2d ago1 min read
Gust hits 73 mph near Metlakatla as Monday storm crosses Southeast Alaska
A 73 mph gust hit near Metlakatla Monday as a storm crossed Southeast Alaska. Wind advisories and gale warnings run through Wednesday, with more rounds of strong wind expected.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2d ago2 min read
Blizzard conditions possible near Utqiagvik under Arctic Coast advisory through Wednesday
Advisory warns of blizzard conditions, 50 mph gusts and more snow near Utqiagvik through 4pm Wednesday. Visibility may drop below one-half mile.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2d ago1 min read
Freezing rain brings 22 crash reports to Anchorage police and a jackknifed semi on the Glenn
Freezing rain caused 22 crashes in Anchorage and a jackknifed semi on the Glenn Highway Tuesday morning. A winter weather advisory kept roads icy into late morning.
by Walter AlaskaNews2d ago2 min read
Atigun Pass on the Dalton Highway reopens to one lane after avalanche closure
Dalton Highway's Atigun Pass reopened to one lane Monday after an avalanche closure, with vehicle recovery work still underway near Milepost 243.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3d ago1 min read
Back-to-back lows to bring gusty winds to southern Southeast through Wednesday night
Wind advisories hit Ketchikan, Sitka and Yakutat as back to back storms bring gusts up to 55 mph through Wednesday night. Outages and downed limbs are likely.
by Walter AlaskaNews3d ago3 min read
More from Weather
Weather service trims Hillside snow forecast but still expects gusts up to 60 mph overnight
The weather service cut its Hillside and Eagle River snow forecast to 1 to 5 inches but still expects gusts up to 60 mph overnight. Then it all turns to rain.
by Walter AlaskaNews4d ago2 min read
Prince of Wales Island under high wind warning Monday, with gusts up to 60 mph
Southeast's stormy streak continues. Prince of Wales Island is under a high wind warning Monday with gusts to 60 mph, and another storm may follow Tuesday.
by Walter AlaskaNews4d ago2 min read
MEA warns of power outages with freezing rain and wind forecast for the Mat Valley
MEA warns of outages with freezing rain and gusts to 50 mph forecast for parts of the Mat Valley overnight. Eagle River's hillsides could see 1 to 5 inches.
by Walter AlaskaNews4d ago2 min read
Week of Nov 2
Winter storm watch warns of possible 70 mph gusts in Turnagain Arm and Whittier
A wet, windy storm is moving into Southcentral Alaska, with snow turning to freezing rain and rain. Turnagain Pass could see up to 10 inches.
by Walter AlaskaNews4d ago2 min read
Bettles had 39.6 inches of snow in October, the most since its records began in 1944
Bettles got 39.6 inches of snow in October, more than three feet and its snowiest October on record. Wiseman, near Coldfoot, wasn't far behind.
by Maggie AlaskaNews5d ago1 min read
State closes Dalton Highway over Atigun Pass due to high avalanche activity
DOT closed the Dalton Highway at Atigun Pass Saturday after high winds, blowing snow and avalanche danger. Closures there can last about 48 hours, and the road can strand travelers for days.
by Maggie AlaskaNews5d ago1 min read
Sitka harbors urge boat owners to secure vessels ahead of Monday wind warning
Sitka, check your dock lines. A high wind warning calls for gusts to 60 mph Monday, and two recent storms here both gusted past their forecasts.
by Walter AlaskaNews5d ago1 min read
Northern lights possible in much of Alaska through Sunday night, if the clouds cooperate
A minor geomagnetic storm has northern lights possible across much of Alaska through Sunday night. The catch, as usual: clouds forecast over most of the state.
by Walter AlaskaNews5d ago2 min read
About Weather
Weather in Alaska takes in the storms, high winds, snow, freezing rain, flooding, high surf and dense fog that cross the state. The National Weather Service forecasts these conditions and issues advisories, watches and warnings for Alaska communities.
Weather closes and slows highways through mountain passes such as Turnagain Pass, Broad Pass and Isabel Pass, and windstorms cut power to thousands of homes in Southcentral and Southeast Alaska. Bering Sea storms can raise water levels along the coast of western Alaska, while atmospheric rivers bring heavy rain and flood watches to Southeast.
Weather connects to climate, sea ice and the seasonal breakup and freeze-up of rivers. Records of rainfall, river levels and Arctic sea ice place each storm in a longer pattern.
More from Weather
Up to a foot of snow possible on the upper Haines and Klondike highways Monday
Skagway gets a windy Saturday night, then a Monday storm that could drop 6 to 12 inches of snow on the upper reaches of the Haines and Klondike highways.
by Maggie AlaskaNews5d ago2 min read
Gusts reached 111 mph on high ground near Metlakatla as storm cut power in Ketchikan
Wind gusts hit 111 mph near Metlakatla Thursday as the storm downed trees and knocked out power in northern Ketchikan.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago3 min read
Sitka's wind gusted to 53 mph Thursday, and an advisory runs through noon Friday
Sitka's airport gusted to 53 mph Thursday, past the 45 mph forecast, before a high wind warning went up. It eased, and an advisory runs through noon Friday.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
State transportation department urges drivers to slow down as Alaska roads turn wintry
The state transportation department wants Alaskans to slow down as roads turn wintry, since speed limits assume good conditions. Also: stop tailgating the plow.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago1 min read
Metlakatla station records 87 mph gust before Thursday high wind warning
High wind warning hits Annette Island, Ketchikan and Prince of Wales Island Thursday, gusts up to 75 mph. A Metlakatla-area station already clocked 87 mph Wednesday.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
Blowing snow and gusts to 45 mph forecast for Alaska's Arctic coast through Friday
Gusts to 45 mph are expected to push snow along the Arctic coast from Utqiagvik to Kaktovik through Friday, with wind lasting through the weekend.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
Snow advisory for White Pass expires Wednesday, with more snow possible Thursday night
The winter weather advisory for White Pass on the Klondike Highway expired Wednesday morning. Forecasters warn up to 4 inches more snow could hit Thursday night, so check 511 before driving.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
Arctic sea ice ends October seventh lowest, with Atlantic side especially low
Arctic sea ice ended October seventh lowest on record, with the Barents Sea nearly empty. Rick Thoman: "October really is the new September."
by Maggie AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
Week of Oct 26
Weather service downgrades Broad Pass storm warning, forecasts 3 to 6 more inches
Weather service downgraded its Broad Pass storm warning to an advisory, with 3 to 6 more inches of snow expected. By early Saturday, the heavy snow had tapered off to scattered showers.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago1 min read
Wind and rain forecast for southern Southeast a day after gusts up north
Ketchikan and Prince of Wales were under wind advisories Sunday as a storm headed their way, a day after gusts topped 40 mph from Skagway to Yakutat.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
Windstorm cut power to at least 11,800 Chugach Electric members in Anchorage
Friday's windstorm drove trees into power lines, cutting power to at least 11,800 Chugach Electric members. A few hundred were still out early Saturday.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
Windstorm gusts hit 70 mph south of Eagle River, cutting power to over 13,500 MEA members
Gusts up to 70 mph knocked out power to more than 13,500 MEA members from Eagle River to Willow early Friday. About 4,800 were still out at noon.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
Up to 14 inches of snow possible on the Klondike Highway through Sunday morning
p to 14 inches of snow and 40 mph gusts could make the Klondike Highway over White Pass very difficult to impossible to drive until Sunday morning.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
Minor geomagnetic storm could bring northern lights to Fairbanks and Nome Saturday night
Halloween's geomagnetic storm came early. Fairbanks and Nome have the best shot at northern lights tonight, with the peak forecast from 10 pm to 1 am.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
Weather service forecasts 3 to 6 inches of snow on Dalton Highway through Saturday night
Weather service forecasts 3 to 6 inches of snow on Atigun Pass and the Dalton Highway through Saturday night, with blowing snow cutting visibility.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
Multiple crashes in Turnagain Pass slow Seward Highway traffic Friday
Several crashes and poor road conditions in Turnagain Pass on the Seward Highway brought emergency crews and delays Friday afternoon, Alaska 511 said.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago1 min read
Champi's remnants bring high wind warnings to the Alaska Range and Delta Junction
Champi's remnants are pushing gusts up to 85 mph through the Alaska Range, and the weather service added Delta Junction to its high wind warning Thursday.
by Alaska News2w ago3 min read
Weather closes North Slope Borough offices in three communities and Utqiaġvik schools
The North Slope Borough closed its offices in Utqiaġvik, Atqasuk and Wainwright on Thursday over weather and road conditions. Utqiaġvik schools closed, too.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read
High wind warning: gusts up to 75 mph on Anchorage and Eagle River hillsides
Hang on to your trash cans, Hillside. Gusts of 60 to 75 mph could hit the Anchorage and Eagle River hillsides from Thursday afternoon into Friday morning.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min read
Freezing rain leaves slick spots on Fairbanks-area roads as police urge avoiding unnecessary travel
Freezing rain left slick spots on Fairbanks roads Thursday, a third straight day of icy-road warnings. Police said skip needless trips; a thaw should follow.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read
Winter storm could drop up to 15 inches on the Parks Highway through Broad Pass
The Parks Highway through Broad Pass could get 7 to 15 inches of snow Thursday into Friday, and freezing rain could make the Willow commute slick first.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min read
Forecasters expect up to a foot of snow near Red Dog Mine through Thursday afternoon
Winter storm warning near Red Dog Mine runs through 4 pm Thursday, with 6 to 12 inches expected and up to 18 inches in higher terrain.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min read
Seward under flood watch as atmospheric river brings 3 to 4 inches of rain
Weather service issued a flood watch for Seward, Thursday evening to 4 pm Friday, with 3 to 4 inches of rain likely. It is at least the third such watch since July.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read
Kivalina's power is mostly back as the school shelter count drops to three
Power is mostly back in Kivalina, and three people stayed at the school shelter Tuesday night, down from about 175. It stays open through the weekend.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read
