Alaska Sees Snow Wind and Coastal Concerns Amid Active Pattern This Week

An active weather pattern continues across Alaska with a series of low pressure systems moving through the Bering Sea and into the mainland. Expect periods of rain or snow, gusty winds, and some coastal flooding concerns especially along the west coast. Conditions turn quieter in some areas midweek before another round of unsettled weather arrives later in the week.

Strong winds and rain or snow continue along the west coast and into the Bering Sea and Aleutians. A Coastal Flood Advisory remains in effect for the Kuskokwim Delta through Wednesday morning as prolonged southerly winds keep water levels elevated, potentially up to 2.5 feet above normal high tide. Additional systems bring gale- to storm-force winds and more precipitation through the week, including influences from the remnants of a former typhoon later in the period.

Snow has accumulated more than expected across the central Interior, with storm totals approaching 4 to 8 inches in much of the Fairbanks area. Difficult travel conditions continue into Tuesday before drier weather returns as high pressure builds. Overnight lows will drop into the teens and 20s Tuesday night, refreezing any wet surfaces. Rain or snow showers return Wednesday night into Thursday, with strong gap winds through the Alaska Range passes possibly gusting to 65 mph or higher later in the week.

A front brought rain or snow overnight, with additional light snow continuing today along the Alaska Range in the Susitna Valley and Copper Basin, totaling 1 to 3 inches in northern areas. Drier conditions develop Tuesday under building high pressure, though fog is possible in lower elevations and valleys. The next front arrives late Wednesday into Wednesday night, bringing renewed precipitation chances that linger at times through the weekend with scattered rain or higher-elevation snow.

A weak disturbance brings a chance of light showers late today into tonight, mainly along the central and southern areas. Quiet and mainly dry weather returns for Tuesday with increasing sunshine and northerly outflow winds that could become gusty, especially in the northern panhandle. A wetter pattern is expected to return by the weekend as the next front approaches, ending the quieter stretch.