Well things could get a little interesting tonight and tomorrow around south central Alaska. We have a cold front approaching from the west and it looks like we will see widespread rain and snow throughout the region. Here in Anchorage where we are nearing in on an all-time snowfall record I know everyone wants to know if this is the system that will break the record? Right now I’m thinking no. We will see some snow in Anchorage, but if it does accumulate it will likely only be 1’’ to 2’’. This could change though as there are lot of variables to consider. First is the temperature. Precipitation will start as rain and the amount of snow we pick up will depend on how quickly temperatures drop and how quickly the rain changes to snow. This will be a very wet snow, which often compacts itself and doesn’t add up quickly. Another thing to consider is how quickly this frontal boundry pushes through Anchorage. If it pushes through relatively quickly then that will lessen the amount of moisture we see. But if they front gets hung up the precipitation will sit over us most of the day Friday. Right now the models are showing the front slowing and possibly sitting over us most of the day, but temperatures will dictate how much of this falls as rain and how much falls as snow. It does look as though the Hillside could see some pretty good snowfall amounts tomorrow. Myself and the rest of the KTVA weather team will continue to monitor this system and let you know how this system is progressing. For the rest of the region. Up and down the Cook Inlet they could see 2’’-6’’ of snow above the 500 foot level overnight. On the eastern Kenai Peninsula (including Girdwood) they could see anywhere between 3 to 9 inches of snow the next 24 hours. Valdez could see 2 to 6 inches of snow, but up at Thompson Pass they totals could range from 12 to 20 inches. Up in the Valley you could see 1’’ to 4’’ of snow. Temperature, elevation, and duration of precipitation will be the factors for snow with this system in south central.

7 Day Forecast For Anchorage

Overnight wind will begin to diminish on the Hillside and along the Turnagain Arm. Rain will begin to fall changing to snow by morning. Lows will be near 30. Friday we will see snow in the morning possibly mixing with rain by the afternoon. 1’’ to 3’’ of snow is possible, with higher amounts likely on the Hillside. Highs will be in the mid to upper 30s. Saturday we will see decreasing cloudiness with highs in the upper 30s. Easter Sunday looks great with mostly sunny skies and highs near 40. Monday through Thursday will be mostly to partly cloudy with highs ranging from 40 to 45.

Alaska extremes for Thursday. The hot spot the past 12 hours was Annette Island where it hit 51 degrees. The cold spot the past 24 hours was Kuparuk Airport where it dipped to -26 degrees.