Let's get right to it.
A Blizzard Warning remains in effect until noon today for the Kuskokwim Delta and Bristol Bay regions. Snow and blowing snow in winds gusting to 50 mph will reduce visibilities to less than a quarter a mile. A Wind Chill Advisory then goes into effect after noon for the Kuskokwim Delta. Wind chill may lower to 55 below through tonight around Bethel.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the Lower and Middle Yukon Valleys until tonight. This includes the villages of Galena and Anvik. Up to 10 inches may fall today through tomorrow morning.
Wind advisories and Winter Weather advisories are in effect for much of the Alaska Range and Susitna Valley. 1 to 2 feet of snow is possible along the Susitna west of the Parks Highway into Denali Park. Snow and blowing snow will be widespread through Thursday.
Southcentral will be particularly hard-hit today. Blizzard Warnings are posted for the following areas: the southern Kenai Peninsula, especially the Kackemak Bay region; Turnagain Arm and Portage Valley; the eastern Kenai Peninsula; Thompson Pass; the southeastern PWS region, including Cordova. Blizzards will be most numerous this morning. Snow will break up somewhat as the dry slot ahead of the low center pushes northward into Southcentral.
Cities that have already seen and will continue to see blizzard conditions are: Homer, Niinichick, Seward, Portage, Valdez, Cordova, and Whittier.
Snow drifts of 1 to 3 feet are possible. Visibilities reduced to near zero in blowing snow will make travel difficult. Winds may gusts to 90 mph along Turnagain Arm and the highest elevations of Anchorage. Gusts to 55 mph are possible in Homer. Winds, in general, will begin to calm down by late evening.
Winter Storm warnings are posted for the northern SE Panhandle for blustery winds and heavy snow and rain into the afternoon and continuing overnight.
Climbing temperatures will change snow to rain in Cordova later today or tonight. This a particularly bad scenario. Heavy snow this morning will add to what has already fallen in recent days. Rain on top of snow will saturate snowfall and weigh it down substantially. The threat of damage to property will remain through tomorrow. Snow is then likely in Cordova as the storm exits through Thursday night.
Anchorage and the Valley could see 2 to 6 inches of snow Wednesday night and Thursday before skies begin to clear and temperatures drop back below average levels.
