Full Notification

...MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL RETURNS ... .Bands of snow showers are currently pushing into the NE Gulf as of Saturday afternoon with widely varying conditions. Advisory level snowfall rates of around 1 inch per 3 hours is expected from Yakutat to Sitka, with lighter rates inland. If snow showers train over one location for an extended period of time, visibility could drop to a half mile at times with greater accumulations. This wave of showers is separate from a stronger low pressure system that is expected to track northward across the panhandle starting Sunday morning and continuing through Monday. Steady snowfall will return with heaviest rates across the northern and central Alaska Panhandle starting Sunday morning and continuing into Monday. Current forecast snowfall accumulations within the Winter Storm Warnings are between 6 to 14 inches, with locally higher amounts expected through Monday evening. For southern panhandle communities in Winter Weather Advisories, expecting snowfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches, highest totals within interior Prince of Wales Island. The main forecast challenge for the southern panhandle will be the timing and transition period to a rain and snow mix, or potentially all rain by Sunday afternoon with temperatures reaching into the upper 30s to low 40s along the coast as the front pushes northward, limiting potential snowfall accumulations. Snow showers will then continue behind this system with widely variable accumulations through the rest of the week.

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 6 inches. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph.

* WHERE...Ketchikan Gateway Borough and Annette Island.

* WHEN...From 4 AM to 7 PM AKDT Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Strong winds can create times of blowing snow with reduced visibility.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A strong front will push into the southern panhandle starting late Sunday morning, initially bringing widespread snowfall across the area. As this front pushes northward, temperatures across the southern panhandle will warm with an expected changeover to a rain/snow mix or all rain by Sunday evening. Main forecast challenge will be the timing of this change over and the resulting snowfall accumulations.

* AFFECTED AREAS: KETCHIKAN GATEWAY BOROUGH ... ANNETTE ISLAND

Instructions:

Slow down and use caution while traveling. 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. Mariners should prepare their vessels for heavy snow followed by heavy rain. Check bilge pumps.