It’s the heart of the summer but Alaskans will be getting their first taste. A cold air mass moving down from the arctic will bring colder temperatures and mountain snow to the Southern Alaskan this weekend. Below is a special weather statement from NOAA.
Special Weather Statement From NOAA
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 308 PM AKDT Thu Aug 10 2017 AKZ205-206-111500- Northwestern Brooks Range-Northeastern Brooks Range- Including Singiluk, Umiat, Anaktuvuk Pass, Atigun Pass, Galbraith Lake, Sagwon, and Franklin Bluffs 308 PM AKDT Thu Aug 10 2017 ...Strong winds and snowfall Likely in the Brooks Range this Weekend... An unseasonably cold, wet and windy storm will impact northern Alaska with the potential for snowfall of 2 to 6 inches at higher elevations of the Brooks Range this weekend. The heaviest snow will be west of the Dalton Highway. A strong cold front will push east across the Brooks Range Saturday and Sunday. Snow levels will drop to 1000 feet or lower by Saturday evening in the western half of the Brooks Range and near 4000 feet from the Dalton Highway eastward by Sunday night. Along the Dalton Highway, up to 3 inches of snow is possible at Atigun Pass. North winds from 25 to 35 mph with locally higher gusts are likely through passes and over higher terrain. Those with outdoor activities or travel plans in the Brooks Range especially from Atigun Pass westward over the weekend should be prepared for winter weather conditions. There still remains some differences with the eastward extent of the cold air associated with this weather system. The location of and amount of snow expected with this storm will likely change as the storm approaches, but at this time it looks unlikely for significant snowfall east of the Dalton Highway. Continue to monitor the situation for the latest forecasts and possible winter weather statements on this early season storm.
