Storm

One area of low pressure is centered over Northwest Alaska.  Snow showers are working their way over the Interior and Southcentral.  Most of the snow activity is scattered and light, so accumulations should not exceed an inch or two.  What is left of the upper jet ahead of this low is streaming through Southeast.  Rain will continue for all areas, with gusty winds near Juneau. Meanwhile, all eyes in the West turn to the Bering, where yet another strong storm system is gathering strength.  The Aleutians will feel the affects of this storm today.  Rain could be heavy and southerly winds will reach 60 mph.   By late tonight, snow and rain will increase along the coast and progress it's way inland.  Warmer air will surge northward along a strong jet, changing snow to all rain around Bristol Bay and the Alaska Peninsula.

Governor Sean Parnell has declared November's West Coast Storm a state disaster on Monday. The estimated damage costs is $29,921,132, but the state says the majority of it should be eligible for federal highway funding, reducing the costs to $8,494,000. “Communities took the proper protective measures and reduced the damage from this potentially devastating storm,” said Governor Parnell. The storm affected more than 35 communities and two boroughs, damaging roads, airports, helipads, sea walls, utilities, and  electrical distribution systems.

A lull in the weather can be expected most of the day in Southcentral today, as one low pressure disturbance heads east into Canada and another moves through the Aleutians.  A few burst of snow are possible early in the Valley and throughout PWS before skies partially clear and slightly cooler and more stable air works in from the Southwest. This lull will be short-lived.  A rich flow of moisture and warmer air will ride a strong jet through the Alaska Peninsula, Kodiak Island, and the Kenai Peninsula bringing rain, snow, gusty winds, and balmy winter temperatures.  The warmest air should stay to our south in Anchorage, but highs near freezing are still likely with light precipitation later tonight and tomorrow.

Damage assessment teams from the State of Alaska and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are being deployed to western Alaska communities after last week's winter storm, as part of a joint effort to gather information for state and federal disaster declarations. According to the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the preliminary damage assessment teams are establishing bases of operation in Nome, Kotzebue and Bethel from which to visit communities and assess the storm's impact.

Western Alaska saw a major winter storm this week, and Channel 2's coverage of it was far greater in depth and scope than that of our own reporters. Hundreds of videos and photos sent from viewers in the region made what we're calling the "iStorm" possibly Alaska's most-covered single event. We've attached all of our previous coverage of the storm, as well as galleries of your own extensive submissions which we've used both online and on air. Take a look at what we've gathered -- but also take a bow for your help throughout the week.

Yet another potent storm system is clobbering Southwest Alaska.  Coastal flooding, minor erosion, blizzard conditions, and heavy snow are all threats with this storm.  Expect deteriorating conditions throughout the day in Southcentral as snow becomes heavy over the Kenai Peninsula.  Blizzard conditions will develop down Turnagain Arm this evening with heavy snow, winds to 40 mph and very low visibilities forecast. I'll have more throughout the morning on this latest storm and it's impacts to our state.

Here's the latest on the Western Alaska storm system: Coastal Flood Warnings remain in effect for nearly all of the West Coast, from the Yukon Delta to Cape Lisburne.  The warnings are in effect into the afternoon and evening hours.  The most susceptible times for flooding and erosion will be at high tide.  Sea levels may still raise at high tides from 3 to 8 feet, posing localized risks for continued battering of immediate coastlines.  Warnings...

A Teller man is missing after riding his ATV into Wednesday's violent storm as it hit the Western Alaska village, Alaska State Troopers and the man's family say. Kyle Komok, 26, was last seen around 4 p.m. Wednesday in Teller riding a yellow ATV out to a spit that separates the Bering Sea from the Imuruk Basin and is locally known as “the point,” said AST spokesperson Megan Peters Thursday. Teller search-and-rescue volunteers are combing the area for Komok, who was out in severe conditions that included high winds and seas from 8 to 10 feet.

Unalakleet is weathering an epic storm. People in the small community on Alaska's western coast boarded up windows and made plans to possibly evacuate to higher ground, if need be. The clinic and school are designated evacuation sites, and classes were cancelled, Wednesday. One family at the airport was sending an elderly family member to Anchorage. This town is not taking any chances.  "We're preparing for the worst," said Steve Ivanoff, who was getting his house ready for the storm, "I'm going to be boarding up some windows and just lifting, moving everything off the floor, that could get wet. " It's the potential for a storm surge and high winds that residents are most concerned about.

There will be updates throughout the day as this massive storm effecting western Alaska continues to bring strong winds, blizzard conditions, and coastal flooding and erosion in areas.  Here is the latest this morning: The storm's central surface pressure is now up to 956 mb and it will further climb to 968 mb by 9 pm.  This means it is now in it's weakening phase.  Still, wind gusts up to 75 mph are likely through the afternoon in...