Winter Weather Advisory , Alaska | Effective 03/21/2026 06:05

...ANOTHER PERIOD OF SNOW FOR THE CENTRAL AND NORTHERN PANHANDLE SATURDAY... .Widespread snowfall has begun across the coastal and northern panhandle as of early Saturday morning as the first front pushes into the coast. There are no major changes to current forecast snow accumulations for Saturday, however the Winter Weather Advisory has been extended to included Yakutat through the early afternoon. There is still some uncertainty of exact snow accumulations at the surface for Saturday afternoon as temperatures at sea level are expected reach into the mid 30s to the upper 30s due to increasing daylight and sun angle while in contrast, temperatures aloft are still favorable for accumulating snow amounts. This battle between the warmer surface temperatures and cooler atmosphere will be the main forecast challenge through Saturday afternoon. If the heavier precipitation rates are significant enough to overcome the warmer surface temperatures, snow accumulations will be greater. But if the temperatures are able to overcome the precipitation rates, snowfall will be limited as it melts by the time it reaches the surface. This will need to be monitored for any changes in potential snow accumulation. The orientation of the low and where the showers move into the panhandle will also impact the snow amounts, with how northward and inland the heavier moisture will push and how organized the bands of snow are expected to be when moving through this weekend. Highest snow rates are expected to continue through Saturday morning before warmer temperatures in the afternoon begin to limit snow accumulations. Additional bands of snow may move into SE AK through the remainder of the weekend. * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 7 inches. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph. * WHERE...Cape Fairweather to Lisianski Strait including Pelican and Elfin Cove, City and Borough of Sitka and Western Kupreanof Island and Kuiu Island including Sitka and Kake. * WHEN...Until 7 PM AKDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Travel by land, air, and sea could be impacted. Strong winds could cause tree damage. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Highest snow rates will be in the morning. Temperatures warming in the afternoon into the mid 30s may likely lead to lower snow totals.