The western peninsula will be affected by strong gusty winds and rain late tonight and through Tuesday morning, according to a special weather statement issued Monday afternoon by the National Weather Service Anchorage.
The cities of Kenai, Soldotna, Homer and Cooper Landing will be affected the most. Kachemak Bay, hills north of Homer, and channeled areas of the Kenai mountains will experience 20 to 35 mph winds, with gusts from 35 to 60 mph. The winds will peak between 3 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
Rain will start in Kachemak Bay but may appear as snow as it moves north of Homer to Kenai and Soldotna; a rapid warming should lead to a light rain lasting through mid-Tuesday morning.
Temperatures could go into mid-40s by Tuesday afternoon and last until Wednesday afternoon.
Eastern peninsula snowstorm
A winter storm warning remains in effect from 3 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday for areas of the eastern peninsula, including Whittier, Seward and Moose Pass, according to a Monday afternoon weather service update. Heavy snow of 12 to 20 inches and winds gusting as high as 55 mph are possible. In Turnagain Pass, snowfall rates may be 1 to 2 inches per hour, with reduced visibility to one quarter mile or less at a time.
