Full Notification

...HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED FOR THE PANHANDLE STARTING FRIDAY EVENING... .A large system moving in from the southwest Friday evening will bring the next round of substantial snowfall across the panhandle this weekend. This first warm front moving through will push over the area late Friday night into Saturday from W to E, followed quickly by another atmospheric wave that will continue the precipitation throughout the weekend. The warm front Friday night through Saturday will bring heavy snowfall across the panhandle through the morning hours, lasting through Sunday for the northern panhandle while the southern panhandle will begin to see a transition to rain as warm air pushes in. Uncertainty remains regarding the exact snowfall amounts and the precise timing of the transition to rain, however many areas are expected to see over 12 inches in 24 hours Saturday.

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 12 to 29 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph.

* WHERE...Northern Panhandle including the Icy Strait corridor, and Hyder.

* WHEN...From Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult and is discouraged. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow will begin for Yakutat late Friday night, before the heaviest snowfall moves into the panhandle beginning early Saturday morning. The frontal passage will bring moisture in over the cold airmass in place over the northern panhandle, keeping the northern panhandle cooler for longer into Sunday with moderate to heavy snow lasting throughout the day. Hyder will see snow begin a bit later into Saturday morning, with higher rates expected Saturday evening through Sunday of 4 to 6 inches in 6 hours and up to 20 inches in 24 hours. Highest rates for the northern half of the panhandle will be in the morning through the evening, with between 0.5 and 1.0 inches per hour possible and 24 hour totals between 12 and 20 inches. Warm air will begin to decrease the snow ratios, making the fluffy lighter snow early Saturday become heavier and wetter into the evening hours and Sunday morning. A transition to a wintry mix to rain over the central panhandle and Icy Strait corridor area is likely for Sunday, however the timing remains uncertain. The far northern panhandle will continue to see heavier snowfall through Sunday.

* AFFECTED AREAS: CITY AND BOROUGH OF YAKUTAT ... MUNICIPALITY OF SKAGWAY ... HAINES BOROUGH AND KLUKWAN ... GLACIER BAY ... EASTERN CHICHAGOF ISLAND ... CAPE FAIRWEATHER TO LISIANSKI STRAIT ... CITY AND BOROUGH OF JUNEAU ... CITY OF HYDER

Instructions:

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.