Colder weather is expected in Anchorage through the week with the possibility for snowfall in higher elevations, according to the National Weather Service.
Thompson Pass and areas in the Copper River Basin are forecast to see the most snow, with 5 to 8 inches expected late Monday and into Tuesday. A cold front is expected to come into the area from the northwest, while a low-pressure system carrying a lot of moisture moves into the area from the Aleutian Islands.
Rain is expected to change to snow around 7 p.m. Monday in higher elevations and midnight in lower areas, according to a winter weather advisory. The snow could cause limited visibility and slippery road conditions along and south of the Glenn Highway and on Richardson Highway south of Glennallen, the weather service said.
Two weather systems will converge over southern Alaska early next week, bringing a colder air mass to the region. Is it time to say the "S" word? Find out by keeping an eye on the current forecast at https://t.co/Yepna3RzCk #akwx pic.twitter.com/CQRZhYLPWm
— NWS Anchorage (@NWSAnchorage) September 18, 2021
Strong winds are expected from Seward to Girdwood Monday night into Wednesday, according to a special weather statement. Winds are expected to be between 30 to 45 mph with gusts to 55 mph, the weather service said.
In Anchorage, mostly rain is anticipated Monday night, although meteorologist Mike Vuotto said there could be small amounts of snow on the Hillside.
Lower temperatures are predicted to last through the week, potentially dropping below freezing early Wednesday in Anchorage, Vuotto said.
There’s a chance for snow around Anchorage later in the week, but Vuotto said much uncertainty remains about the storm system.
“We will need all the ingredients to come together perfectly for us to get snow, especially at the low elevations here in Anchorage,” he said.
It’s early in the year to see a pattern of such cold weather, but not unheard of, Vuotto said. It’s not unusual to get snow in Anchorage during September, he said.