Weather

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)
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)
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)
Snow is cleared from the parking lot at Kenai Cinema in Kenai, Alaska on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Winter storm brings heavier, more snow than expected

Heavy snowfall hit the Central Peninsula on Tuesday, following a weather advisory by the National Weather Service that warned of up to 5 inches of… Continue reading

Snow is cleared from the parking lot at Kenai Cinema in Kenai, Alaska on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A special weather statement for the western Kenai Peninsula has been issued by the National Weather Service. (Screenshot weather.gov)

Weather service warns of wintry mix

The wintry mix and freezing drizzle is expected to hit from midnight through 7-8 a.m on Saturday

A special weather statement for the western Kenai Peninsula has been issued by the National Weather Service. (Screenshot weather.gov)
National Weather Service radar for the Kenai Peninsula and Southcentral Alaska on Aug. 17, 2022. (Screenshot)

Rain, rain and more rain

Low pressure systems drive wet conditions in Southcentral

National Weather Service radar for the Kenai Peninsula and Southcentral Alaska on Aug. 17, 2022. (Screenshot)
Freezing rain creates icy conditions on Wednesday, Feb. 16. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna asks for more snow removal money

The City of Soldotna estimates it will spend more than expected on snow removal services this winter. Citing above average snowfall, the city’s streets and… Continue reading

Freezing rain creates icy conditions on Wednesday, Feb. 16. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska's 511 app shows travel on central peninsula roads to be "difficult" as of 6:50 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. (Screenshot)

More snow forecast for peninsula

A winter weather advisory was issued through Tuesday morning

Alaska's 511 app shows travel on central peninsula roads to be "difficult" as of 6:50 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. (Screenshot)
Alaska road maintenance crews conduct avalanche clearing work along the Seward Highway on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022 near Girdwood, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

Wintry weather causes avalanches around Southcentral

At least two avalanches, as well as excessive snow, caused road closures Friday

Alaska road maintenance crews conduct avalanche clearing work along the Seward Highway on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022 near Girdwood, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)
Snow and debris from an avalanche can be seen near Mile 45 on the Seward Highway on Monday, March 29, 2021. An avalanche shut down traffic on both sides Monday afternoon. (Photo courtesy Goldie Shealy)

More snow, traffic delays expected for Southcentral

Motorists traveling on some sections of the Seward Highway should expect intermittent traffic delays of up to 45 minutes Wednesday, as state maintenance crews conduct… Continue reading

Snow and debris from an avalanche can be seen near Mile 45 on the Seward Highway on Monday, March 29, 2021. An avalanche shut down traffic on both sides Monday afternoon. (Photo courtesy Goldie Shealy)
A Ravn Airlines plane arrives in Anchorage to transport passengers to Kenai after more than two hours of delay on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. Windy conditions delayed flights to and from the peninsula over the weekend. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)”

Severe winds hammer Southcentral

The winds caused flight cancellations, power outages and local road closures

A Ravn Airlines plane arrives in Anchorage to transport passengers to Kenai after more than two hours of delay on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. Windy conditions delayed flights to and from the peninsula over the weekend. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)”
A map shows the location of difficult road conditions on the central peninsula, as of 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (Screenshot from Alaska 511)

Winter weather advisory issued due to ice

The advisory is in effect until 9 p.m.

A map shows the location of difficult road conditions on the central peninsula, as of 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (Screenshot from Alaska 511)

Shortest day behind us, peninsula gaining light

The central peninsula received less than six hours of daylight during the winter solstice on Tuesday, which officially marked the end of fall. While the… Continue reading