The National Weather Service (NWS) issued multiple winter storm warnings for the state of Alaska on Saturday, including one calling for up to 20 inches of snow and 55 mph wind gusts in some areas.
Snow in “The Last Frontier” is common throughout most of the year, particularly in areas of high elevation. The latest winter storm warning from the NWS Fairbanks outpost encompasses the south slopes of the Western Brooks Range, as well as the Noatak Valley, including the cities of Noatak, Walker Lake, and Red Dog Mine.
What to know
The warning, which calls for “heavy snow,” runs through 4 p.m. Alaska Standard Time on Sunday.
“Total snow accumulations of 10 to 20 inches in the higher terrain, including Red Dog Mine, and 3 to 6 inches in Noatak. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph,” it reads.
Travel in these areas may also prove difficult, with visibility significantly affected.
Other parts of Alaska are also impacted
The NWS has announced additional winter storm warnings for the following parts of Alaska:
- Upper Kobuk Valley, including cities of Ambler, Kobuk, and Shungnak – Through 4 p.m. Sunday; up to 8 inches of snow, 50 mph winds
- South slopes of the Central Brooks Range – Through 10 p.m. Alaska Standard Time Monday; up to 16 inches of snow, 35 mph winds
- Upper Koyukuk Valley – Through 10 p.m. Monday; up to 12 inches of snow, ice glaze, 30 mph winds
For all of the latest NWS alerts, visit Weather.gov.
More on winter 2026-27
Snow has already popped up in a few places around the United States other than Alaska, and even more regions are due for their first flakes in the coming weeks.
For a latest roundup of early winter forecasts and projections, click here.