Full Notification

...MULTIPLE SYSTEMS MOVING INTO THE PANHANDLE BRINGING SNOW... .For the Winter Weather Advisory, moisture moving northward over colder air at the surface will lead to snow from the Icy Strait corridor down to Prince of Wales Island. For the winter storm, a developing system continues to move into the southern Panhandle Tuesday evening. Heavy precipitation rates are expected to continue in the Misty Fjords area Tuesday evening and continue through Wednesday morning. Snow rates will reach up to one inch per hour. For the winter storm watch, a weak system over the NE Gulf Coast will linger Wednesday night into Thursday, directing moisture into the central and northern Panhandle, around Icy Strait as well as Prince of Wales Island. It is currently uncertain how much moisture is associated with this weak system, as well as where the heaviest snow will be as snowfall amounts will mainly be driven by showers. Some areas could potentially see up to warning level snow if multiple heavy showers start to impact the same area repeatedly. Elsewhere, snow accumulations could potentially be little to no accumulation leading to significant accumulation differences.

* WHAT...For the Winter Weather Advisory, snow expected. Total snow accumulations of up to 5 inches. For the Winter Storm Watch, heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches possible.

* WHERE...City and Borough of Sitka, Western Kupreanof Island and Kuiu Island and Prince of Wales Island.

* WHEN...For the Winter Weather Advisory, from 9 PM this evening to 3 PM AKST Wednesday. For the Winter Storm Watch, from Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snowfall is expected to start Wednesday morning and will be light but some periods of heavier snow will be possible. The best accumulations look to be along the higher elevations including Prince of Wales Island. A break, although potentially very short, is expected for the snow Wednesday evening. After this break, snow showers are expected to move into the area bringing more snow. Some areas could see significant snow accumulations while other areas could see little to no snow.

* AFFECTED AREAS: CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA ... WESTERN KUPREANOF AND KUIU ISLAND ... PRINCE OF WALES ISLAND

Instructions:

Slow down and use caution while traveling. Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. People are urged to prepare their property before the onset of winter weather. For the latest road conditions, where available, call 5 1 1 or visit 511.alaska.gov.