Latest storm could bring blowing snow to Anchorage commute

The latest winter storm to blow through Southcentral Alaska brought a forecast for strong winds and snow Friday, creating potentially dangerous driving conditions in Anchorage during the evening commute.

Snow that began falling Friday morning was expected to increase in intensity into the afternoon, when southeasterly wind gusts up to 35 mph were forecast through Turnagain Arm and on the Hillside, according to a special weather statement issued by the National Weather Service.

Anchorage saw significant snowfall on Tuesday, which caused schools to shift to remote learning as road conditions rapidly deteriorated. Several more inches of snow fell Wednesday.

This year marks the snowiest on record in Anchorage since at least 1953, according to National Weather Service data.

Drivers on Friday may encounter reduced visibility as traffic increases toward the end of the workday, said meteorologist Pamela Pietrycha.

“Mainly it’s going to be that light, fluffy snow once again, so it’s easily prone to blowing,” Pietrycha said.

The snowfall was expected to taper off between 6 and 9 p.m., she said. Roughly 2 to 4 inches of snow was expected throughout Anchorage and the Mat-Su, with up to 6 inches possible on the Hillside and north of Wasilla and Palmer.

Another system on the heels of this one is expected to bring snow Saturday afternoon or evening, though meteorologists are still trying to establish how much additional accumulation will accompany that storm.