Most of the State Stays Cold and Dry

March 20, 2012|By: Mitch Sego | Channel 2 Weather

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The large scale pattern has changed very little from yesterday. An upper ridge extends from the Beaufort Sea south over the Bering. Ahead of it in western Alaska, unseasonably cold cold and breezy weather continues. Wind chills have been as cold as 40 below near Bethel.

The Slope is still in the ice box, as well. Wind chills from 40 to 60 below and flurries are likely.

The Interior will be very chilly. Clouds from time to time and isolated light showers are possible, especially over the eastern Interior. Scattered snow showers are possible in the Aleutians with little to no accumulation.

Rain and snow showers are possible over the southern Panhandle thanks to a strong low that is spinning south of Annette Island. The northern Panhandle will stay dry with mostly sunny to sunny skies.

More of the same for most of Southcenral. Expect periods of sunshine for PWS with 30s for highs and some sunshine for Anchorage northward and highs in the 20s today. Snow and mostly cloudy skies are hanging on in the western Kenai Peninsula this morning. Several inches may accumulate in Kenai, Soldotna, Nikiski, Sterling, and Kasilof. N/NE winds are likely from 5 to 35 mph, with highest gusts near Whittier and other channel terrain.

Temperatures will remain some 5-15 degree below average in Anchorage through Thursday. Increasing clouds, warmer temps, and snow chances return by Friday and continue through the weekend.

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