Snow

Could it be one of our latest snows ever? The answer is a simple yes. The latest measurable snow for Anchorage occurred on May 22, 1964. If we get some accumulation into  this  weekend, it would be the second latest snow on record. Upper wind flow from the Arctic Region and colder air aloft can easily make snow. A surface front will arrive from the northwest to provide more lift and another system will pass Kodiak Island and head through Cook Inlet to act as the main moisture source.

by Channel 2 News staff Monday, January 25, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- With the Winter Games now just 17 days away, Vancouver, British Columbia is worried about snow: Specifically, the lack of it.  Vancouver's mountains have been hit with an unseasonable blast of warm weather. Instead of snow-covered mountains, they are often brown, but organizers say they will have it covered. Workers have already started to move bales of straw to help build the courses with snow that's been stockpiled on mountain tops.

Like I reported yesterday, there is little change to the forecast, so I'll make this quick. Weak low pressure is still developing and wandering around the base of a very persistent upper level trough that will sit over the state for two more days before retreating to the north a bit.  This pattern means snow showers for Southeast, PWS and, to a lesser extent, the Cook Inlet Region.  It also means that the brutal cold will remain for all of...

We wouldn't know it by looking outside in Anchorage, with cool crisp sunshine yesterday, but some parts of the state continue to experience unusual winter-like weather.  Southwest is once again starting off the day with light snow.  Light snow and flurries and very cold temperatures are gripping the Slope and Northwest Alaska, including Kotzebue and Nome. Glenallen and the rest of the Copper River Basin have had periods of snow this morning. Snow has extended to the Eagle and the Canadian border.

I mentioned yesterday that nearly all areas south of the Brooks Range would see snow from this latest storm.  For the most part, this looks to be the case.  A strong upper jet plowed moisture over the state overnight.  It is weakening and sagging south over the Gulf but will still bring heavy precipitation to SE AK.  Meanwhile, the surface low and upper trough have yet to move out of the Bering, so scattered and lighter snow is still a...

The Alaska Sled Dog and Racing Association is hoping for snow; it says the decision of whether or not the race will take place will be made on February 10. With very little snow on the trail, safety becomes a huge concern. Officials say the safety of the dogs and mushers is the most important thing. Fur Rondy officials do have a contigency plan in place, but the potenial loss of one of their premiere events could result in fewer people visiting and less money coming into Anchorage.

Areas of snow are meandering over the northern Cook Inlet region this morning.  Gradually, snow will spread into the Valley and taper off to flurries in Homer. Scattered snow showers during the morning hours is forecast for Southwest, especially near Bethel.  Highs will be in the 20s and lower 30s. Southeast can expect scattered rain and snow showers during the morning with rain increasing over the southern Panhandle by late morning-mid afternoon.  Highs will climb into the upper 30s to lower 40s. The Interior will be dry for the most part.  There is a threat for occasional snow showers or areas of flurries throughout the day.  Any accumulations will be light.  Highs will range from the upper single digits to the low 20s. The culprit for snow in Anchorage is a weakened low that has moved just east of PWS.  Wrap-around flow behind the low is advecting cooler air, and without the downsloping flow imposed by the mountains, moisture is being lifted over the Inlet and falling as snow.  Showers are expected throughout the day, although most of the activity will be light.  Accumulations of 1 to 4 inches is possible, with the higher amounts falling in or along the mountains.

One more day.  That is the best news of the day for some Alaska residents. Snow will continue along Cook Inlet throughout the day before tapering off tonight.  Heavy snow has fallen just to the west of Anchorage over the Inlet and to the south, where the city of Kenai has already seen around 10 inches and more is to come through the afternoon. 8 to 16 inches is still in the forecast for Anchorage with highest amounts on Hillside.  Up to 10 inches is possible in the Mat Su.  Seward, Valdez, and Whittier will all see snow today.  Channeled winds into Whittier will cause blizzard conditions with snow and blowing snow.  A Blizzard Warning is in effect until midnight.  Rain will change to snow in Cordova this afternoon or evening.  A Winter Weather Advisory remains for the Susitna Valley, including Talkeetna and Willow, the Valley, Anchorage Bowl, and the western Kenai Peninsula north of Clam Gulch.  Rain and higher elevation snow will be heavy this morning in Southeast.  Snow levels will lower later and snow becomes possible tonight.  Gusty winds will blow over southern ends of the Panhandle, as well.

Snowfall has not been widespread over the Cook Inlet Region, but where it has fallen, it has been very persistent.  We have had oer 24 hours of continuous snowfall in Anchorage. The culprits are a weak upper level trough hanging over the state and a weak surface low in the northern Gulf.  The low was nearly indiscernible yesterday morning, thus snow totals were not expected to be anywhere near what they have been.  But model runs are now picking it out better and indicating it could linger for another day.  This means more snow for Anchorage.  Most other areas in the region are seeing little to no snow at all.  In fact, it was clear in Homer this morning and dry along the Susitna and in Kenai/Soldotna.

Slick roads mean big business for tire shops across Anchorage, which are backed up with customers looking to swap out their summer tires for snow tires. Many shops remain open 24 hours a day for the first week snow hits in order to keep up with demand. Some stores are seeing up to 300 customers a day, and at Johnson's Tire Service customers can expect to wait from two to six hours -- but managers say it's worth the switch to stay safe.       “Studded tires are always going to give you the better traction, mainly because you have the metal gripping into the ice rather than just a friction between rubber and ice,” said Johnson’s Tire Service assistant manager Paul Mariaucci.

232 days - it took over 30 years for Anchorage to set a new record for the longest snow season on record. The National Weather Service measured 2/10ths of an inch just after 9 p.m. Friday and 1/10th Saturday morning - breaking the old record of 230 days set in 1981-1982. Anchorage police responded to 22 crashes, 4 with injuries and 37 vehicles in distress between midnight and noon Saturday. Police say roads were wet and not icy midday and “motorists should use caution if the temperatures drop below freezing.

I came to work last Monday and saw that various elements were coming together for a chance of late-season snow for Friday into Saturday. I asked myself, "Do I dare say anything?" "Can I wait another day and hope what I see just goes away?" "Maybe I can say something in passing and it won't be that big of a deal?" Yeah, right. Well, I did say something and I've said the same thing each morning this week: Rain becomes more steady and widespread Thursday night and Friday.

Could it be one of our latest snows ever? The answer is a simple yes. The latest measurable snow for Anchorage occurred on May 22, 1964. If we get some accumulation into  this  weekend, it would be the second latest snow on record. Upper wind flow from the Arctic Region and colder air aloft can easily make snow. A surface front will arrive from the northwest to provide more lift and another system will pass Kodiak Island and head through Cook Inlet to act as the main moisture source.

The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce announced Tuesday (April 14) that the Anchorage Chamber Citywide Cleanup Week has been moved to May 4 to 11. The popular spring cleanup program has been delayed due to colder temperatures than normal and a significant amount of snow still on the ground. "Before making a decision to change the date of Citywide Cleanup Week, we consulted the Anchorage National Weather Center for historical data," said Anchorage Chamber president Andrew Halcro.

After about 6 months of cold and snow, many were ready when April arrived for the spring season to officially get underway. Sometimes Mother Nature has a different idea, AND maybe "she" knows best after all. Southcentral Alaska experienced about a week of breakup recently with temperatures in the 40s. We lost snow, the heaps of brown ice started crumbling and potholes were becoming bigger by the day. Then, we talked of arctic air returning and...

STORY UPDATED AT 5:56 p.m. 4/8/13: The Anchorage area and the Mat-Su Valley have a winter weather advisory in effect until noon Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service in Anchorage. Over the weekend, most of the Anchorage bowl received at least 6” of snow thanks to another late seasonal system. Anchorage could see another 3” to 8” of snow through noon Tuesday with the Hillside and East Anchorage expected to get the highest amounts. Snowfall will increase Monday evening into early overnight with more snow Tuesday morning and it should taper off by Tuesday night.

STORY UPDATED AT 8:03 p.m. 4/6/13: Around 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Anchorage police urged drivers to slow down, travel with care, or refrain from driving if possible . Police responded to 164 collisions, 16 with injuries, and 41 vehicles in distress since midnight up to 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The Glenn Highway also had poor conditions with the fresh snow and icy roads. Anchorage police rerouted traffic to the Old Glenn Highway in both directions , so that state crews could sand the hill.

STORY UPDATED AT 2:59 p.m. 3/26/13: The late March spring surprise of snow piled up the seasonal snowfall to above average in Anchorage, according the National Weather Service in Anchorage. By the numbers, seasonal snowfall in Anchorage: 2012-2013 Current: 76.7” Average Total: 74.5” 2011-2012 All Time Record: 134.5” (according to NWS records) Top 5 Highest Winter Snowfall : 2011-2012: 134.5 inches 1954-1955: 132.6 inches 1955-1956: 128.8 inches 1994-1995: 121.5 inches 2003-2004: 113.9 inches The Anchorage Police Department also had a busy day responding to plenty of reported vehicle crashes and ditch-divers.

STORY UPDATED AT 6:34 p.m. 3/24/13: For the next day, areas in the upper Cook Inlet through the Mat-Su Valley can expect heavy snow. An early spring storm remains in the forecast for the next 24 to 36 hours, according to the National Weather Service in Anchorage. The winter weather advisory will affect Anchorage beginning around midnight and includes Eagle River, Indian, and Eklutna. The Anchorage School District will typically determine school closures or delays after collecting information and driving the streets the morning of a school day. ASD said public announcements will be made no later than 5:30 a.m. STORY UPDATED AT 1:40 p.m. 3/24/13: Anchorage and Mat-Su residents should keep their snow shovels ready, with the National Weather Service in Anchorage issuing winter weather advisory  for snow beginning Sunday night until Tuesday morning.

The National Weather Service has canceled a blizzard advisory for parts of Southcentral Alaska Friday night, saying a winter weather advisory remains in effect for several parts of the region. Anchorage, Eagle River, Indian and Eklutna are no longer expected to face blizzard conditions, according to an NWS update just after 4 p.m. Talkeetna, Willow and Cantwell are still expected to face two to four inches of snow before the advisory ends at 10 p.m. Friday, with a total accumulation of five to 10 inches -- falling most heavily north of Talkeetna -- over its course.