Drivers warned of difficult travel conditions as summer snow expected

National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists in Fairbanks, Alaska, warned some drivers of difficult travel conditions as 2 inches of snow is expected between Tuesday night and Thursday morning.

Why It Matters

The end of summer has contrasting weather across the U.S., with the Pacific Northwest battling dangerously hot temperatures, while a cold front brings more fall-like weather to much of the rest of the U.S. Meanwhile, parts of Alaska are under a winter weather advisory and winter storm warning as some of the first snows of the season begin.

What To Know

NWS Fairbanks issued a winter weather advisory and a winter storm warning for parts of northern Alaska on Tuesday morning.

The winter weather advisory is in place for the Central Beaufort Sea Coast, including the cities of Prudhoe Bay, Deadhorse, Alpine, Kuparuk and Nuiqsut, and the Dalton Highway north of MP 387.

For the winter weather advisory, up to 2 inches of snow is possible, as well as freezing rain.

“There is very high uncertainty in exact accumulations. Freezing rain is possible everywhere, especially in the Brooks Range and along the Dalton Highway south of Prudhoe Bay,” the advisory said. “Temperatures will hover around 32 degrees, especially Tuesday night and Wednesday night which will make things difficult to accumulate unless precipitation rates are heavy enough to overcome warm ground temperatures.”

The advisory is in place from 10 p.m. local time Tuesday to 7 a.m. Thursday.

The more serious winter storm warning is in place for the Central Arctic Plains and Central Brooks Range, including for Dalton Highway from MP 322 to MP 387, Atigun Pass, Anaktuvuk Pass, Franklin Bluffs, Galbraith Lake, Dalton Highway from MP 232 to MP 322, and Sagwon.

For the winter storm warning, meteorologists warned of wintry precipitation, including an ice glaze up to .1 inches.

“Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning and evening commutes,” the warning said.

The winter storm warning is in effect from 10 p.m. local time Tuesday until 1 a.m. Thursday.

“This is our first winter weather product that we’ve issued for the season out of our office,” NWS warning coordination meteorologist Jason Laney told Newsweek.

Laney said such alerts can occur as early as the middle of August.

“It’s not common to get them this early, but it has happened in the past,” he said. “Typically, we look right at about the end of August when we start regularly issuing winter products.”

What People Are Saying

NWS Fairbanks, in a winter weather advisory: “The greatest risk for accumulating snow will be north of the Brooks Range and towards the coast, while the greatest risk for freezing rain accumulations resides in the Brooks Range. The Dalton Highway in between has equal chances for both.”

NWS Fairbanks, in a winter storm warning: “If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.”

What Happens Next

People in the area should monitor local weather guidance. Once wintry conditions begin, extra precaution should be taken when traveling, such as slowing down.