Winter Storm Warning , Alaska | Effective 03/15/2026 13:07

...MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL RETURNS SUNDAY INTO MONDAY... A strong low pressure system is currently tracking northward towards the panhandle, with ongoing snow or rain/snow mix reaching the outer coast of Prince of Wales, Annette Island, and Ketchikan as of 11 am Sunday. Steady snowfall will continue to increase across the area with heaviest rates across the southern panhandle starting over the next few hours into the afternoon. For the northern and central Alaska Panhandle, anticipating a bit later start, by early Sunday evening and continuing into Monday. No significant snowfall forecast changes. Based on current observations around the area, decreased forecast snowfall accumulations slightly near Hydaburg and Metlakatla. Current forecast snowfall accumulations within the Winter Storm Warnings are between 6 to 12 inches, with locally higher amounts expected through Monday evening. For southern panhandle communities in Winter Weather Advisories, expecting snowfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches before a changeover to rain or a rain/snow mix, highest totals within interior Prince of Wales Island. The main forecast challenge for the southern panhandle will be the timing and transition period to a rain and snow mix, or potentially all rain through this afternoon with temperatures reaching into the upper 30s to low 40s along the coast as the front pushes northward, limiting potential snowfall accumulations. Snow showers will then continue behind this system with widely variable accumulations through the rest of the week. * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. Visibility reduced to 1 mile or less. * WHERE...Glacier Bay, Eastern Chichagof Island, Cape Fairweather to Lisianski Strait and City and Borough of Juneau. * WHEN...Until 1 PM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel will be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Sunday evening or Monday morning commute. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Current forecast has heaviest snowfall rates arriving Sunday evening into early Monday morning across the Icy Strait corridor communities, including Juneau. Snow will transition from light and fluffy to more wet and dense through Monday morning. Locally higher amounts are expected.