Weather

The Homer Spit is evacuated during the July 28 tsunami warning at about 10:50 p.m. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Tsunami warning test scheduled for Wednesday morning

The National Weather Service will conduct a statewide test of the tsunami warning system Wednesday morning. Sirens may be heard in Port Graham, Nanwalek, Homer,… Continue reading

 

A blizzard warning is issued for the Eastern Kenai Peninsula and beyond by the National Weather Service on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (Screenshot)

Blizzard warning issued for Seward, Turnagain Pass

Snow accumulation is predicted to be from 7 to 20 inches

 

Snow is cleared from a roof near the Copper Center Soldotna, Alaska on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. Several nearby businesses were closed after a roof collapse. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Fire chief addresses concerns about roof safety in wake of heavy snow

Fears are compounded by a string of reported building collapses this winter

 

A grader moves down First Avenue in Kenai, Alaska, during a snow storm on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Snow pummels peninsula, with more to come

The advisory, in effect until 12 p.m. on Wednesday, warned of between 6 and 12 inches of snow

A grader moves down First Avenue in Kenai, Alaska, during a snow storm on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow is cleared from the road during the start of another major snowfall on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 outside of The Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Winter storm watch issued for Tuesday and Wednesday

A winter storm watch was issued by the National Weather Service on Monday, warning of widespread snow across the western Kenai Peninsula, in effect from… Continue reading

Snow is cleared from the road during the start of another major snowfall on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 outside of The Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A City of Kenai grader moves snow from a roadway on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School snow removal gets financial boost

The Kenai Peninsula Borough will get an additional $390,000 for sanding and snow removal at school facilities following approval of the funds by borough assembly… Continue reading

A City of Kenai grader moves snow from a roadway on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow is cleared from the road during the start of another major snowfall on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 outside of The Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Snow and rain, hazardous driving conditions forecast

A winter weather advisory was issued Wednesday by the National Weather Service for Kenai, Soldotna, Homer and Cooper Landing, in effect from 12:01 a.m. until… Continue reading

Snow is cleared from the road during the start of another major snowfall on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 outside of The Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow is cleared from the road during the start of another major snowfall on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, outside the Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Rain and wintry mix expected through midweek

Freezing rain or snow covered roadways will lead to hazardous driving conditions, a special weather statement said

Snow is cleared from the road during the start of another major snowfall on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, outside the Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A map of updated marine zone boundaries, set to be put into effect on March 8, 2023. (Screenshot)

Weather Service to update marine zones for better forecasts and warnings

Changes are set to be implemented March 8.

A map of updated marine zone boundaries, set to be put into effect on March 8, 2023. (Screenshot)
A train derailed by a large natural avalanche near Kern Creek is covered snow, Jan. 1, 2023, in Girdwood, Alaska. (Photo via Chugach Avalanche Center/Travis Smith) , 1.17.23.

Special avalanche bulletin issued for Turnagain Pass this weekend

The bulletin is in effect 6 a.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday

A train derailed by a large natural avalanche near Kern Creek is covered snow, Jan. 1, 2023, in Girdwood, Alaska. (Photo via Chugach Avalanche Center/Travis Smith) , 1.17.23.
A train derailed by a large natural avalanche near Kern Creek is covered snow, Jan. 1, 2023, in Girdwood, Alaska. (Photo via Chugach Avalanche Center/Travis Smith)

High winds and heavy snowfall make for high avalanche risks

The Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center had recorded 11 avalanches this week

A train derailed by a large natural avalanche near Kern Creek is covered snow, Jan. 1, 2023, in Girdwood, Alaska. (Photo via Chugach Avalanche Center/Travis Smith)
Dark clouds hang over Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 26, 2022, seen from the parking lot of the Quality Inn in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Ice and snow are expected Tuesday

The ice will make for slippery roads and hazardous conditions that could impact morning commutes

Dark clouds hang over Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 26, 2022, seen from the parking lot of the Quality Inn in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Frozen tree branches reach down over a purple sky in a field down Murwood Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Christmas weekend to be cold and windy

Sunday night there will be a chance of snow

Frozen tree branches reach down over a purple sky in a field down Murwood Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
An ice jam in the Kenai River can be seen here from the Soldotna Bridge in this January 2020 photo. (Courtesy Dan Nelson/Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)

Weather service warns of potential ice jams on Kenai River

Communities previously affected by flooding because of ice jams and buildup include Big Eddy and the Riverside Drive/Eddy Lane subdivision

An ice jam in the Kenai River can be seen here from the Soldotna Bridge in this January 2020 photo. (Courtesy Dan Nelson/Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)
A City of Kenai grader moves snow from a roadway on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

To close or not to close? Winter storms keep school district admin up at night

The district’s most recent snow day was on Dec. 12

A City of Kenai grader moves snow from a roadway on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Plowed snow is piled high near the intersection of Main Street Loop and Kenai Spur Highway, Monday, Dec. 12, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. The area received several feet of snow over the weekend. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Another snowstorm expected Wednesday

The advisory is in effect from 9 p.m. Wednesday to 9 a.m. Thursday.

Plowed snow is piled high near the intersection of Main Street Loop and Kenai Spur Highway, Monday, Dec. 12, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. The area received several feet of snow over the weekend. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow is cleared from a parking lot at the Kenai Municipal Airport on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Urgent winter storm watch issued for western Kenai Peninsula

Total snow accumulations of 8 to 16 inches are possible

Snow is cleared from a parking lot at the Kenai Municipal Airport on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A plow truck clears snow as it moves down the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Up to a foot of snow expected on Kenai Peninsula through Wednesday

Winter weather advisory is in effect

A plow truck clears snow as it moves down the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow is cleared from a parking lot at the Kenai Municipal Airport on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Central peninsula again walloped by snowstorm

6 to 20 inches were reported in areas from Ninilchik to Nikiski

Snow is cleared from a parking lot at the Kenai Municipal Airport on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A plow truck clears snow as it moves down the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion) A plow truck clears snow as it moves down the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

More snow forecast for central peninsula

The snow was expected to start Tuesday night

A plow truck clears snow as it moves down the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion) A plow truck clears snow as it moves down the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)