The National Weather Service’s Anchorage office on Friday evening issued an urgent winter storm watch that is in effect from Sunday afternoon through Monday afternoon.
Total snow accumulations of 8 to 16 inches are possible and winds may gust as high as 35 miles per hour. The advisory is in effect for the western Kenai Peninsula including the communities of Kenai, Soldotna, Homer and Cooper Landing and is expected to impact travel. Northeasterly winds causing blowing snow are expected to make travel on the Sterling Highway “extremely difficult.”
“Travel could be very difficult,” the message says. “The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute.”
Per the alert, light snow is expected to begin Sunday morning along Cook Inlet and the move inland. The heaviest snow is expected from Sunday night through early Monday, with the highest snowfalls expected along Cook Inlet between Nikiski and Anchor Point.
The alert comes days after a winter weather advisory brought snow to the central peninsula earlier this week and about a month after heavy snowfalls of between 8 and 14 inches of snow pummeled the area.
Live information about travel conditions can be found at Alaska 511, which is maintained by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. The travel app can be accessed at 511.alaska.gov.
Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.
