Special Weather Statement 01/04/2025 01:13 for Alaska areas

Two atmospheric rivers will move over the region next week, one on Tuesday and then an another on Thursday. The first one will affect Yakuatat first Monday night then shift eastward across the panhandle Monday night through Tuesday. This will bring significantly warmer temperatures raising snow levels to near 3000 feet and usher in heavy rainfall. Precipitation amounts will range from 1.5 to 3 inches, most of this will fall as rain. The exception will be the upper elevations where significant accumulations are possible especially near White Pass where greater than 1 foot of snow is likely with a 40% chance of 2 feet. Gusty winds to 40 mph will also accompany this event. Impacts for this first system will be water in poor drainage areas from increase runoff from snowmelt and frozen soils. A brief lull on Wednesday will be followed by another atmospheric river that will affect the area Thursday. This system will continue to bring in very warm temperatures with some locations seeing record values and freezing levels rising to 4000 to 5000 feet. This will keep snowmelt runoff high to along with the next round of heavy rain that will range from 2 to 4 inches. Significant river rises are more likely with this second event as the first event primed the river and soil conditions to possible produce bankful to flooding conditions. Strong winds are also will associated with this system and may increase the likelihood of tree fall. Check back regularly for updates on this evolving and potentially dangerous events next week.