Winter Weather Advisory 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 wet snow. Additional snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches. Winds gusting as high as 50 to 60 mph. * WHERE...Ketchikan Gateway Borough and Annette Island. * WHEN...Until 7 PM AKDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Strong winds could cause tree damage. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...As of 11am, reports across the area show a mixture of snow and rain with snow having a hard time accumulating. Over the next couple of hours, precipitation rates will increase as the front pushes northward. As rates increase, forecasting bring change over to predominately heavy wet snow before changing over to rain through early Sunday evening. Main forecast challenge will be the timing of this change over and the resulting snowfall accumulations. Greatest accumulations at elevation.