A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the Eastern Alaska Range, where forecasters say heavy snow could dump up to 11 inches along a stretch of the Richardson Highway.
The National Weather Service office in Fairbanks issued the advisory as a wintry pattern settles over the interior.
Heavy Snow Along the Richardson Highway
The advisory runs from 4 p.m. this afternoon to 10 p.m. AKDT Thursday.
It covers the Eastern Alaska Range both north and south of Trims Camp, including the Richardson Highway from mile marker 202 to 259, Black Rapids and Donnelly Dome.
Forecasters say total snow accumulations of 6 to 11 inches are expected.
The heaviest snowfall is expected between mile marker 205 and 235 on the Richardson Highway.
Snow may melt initially Wednesday afternoon, but forecasters say it will quickly start accumulating Wednesday night as temperatures drop below freezing.
Snowfall rates could reach as high as 0.5 to 1.0 inch per hour Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
NWS Fairbanks shared images of the early snow building in the pass.
Snow Spreading Across the Interior
The Eastern Alaska Range snow is part of a wider system moving across interior Alaska tonight through Friday morning.
NWS Fairbanks says the Central and Eastern Interior could see 1 to 3 inches of snow, with the heaviest totals again concentrated along the Richardson Highway and Eastern Alaska Range.
Travel Impacts
Forecasters warn that travel could become very difficult to impossible through the advisory period.
Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, are likely to turn slick and hazardous as snow accumulates on top of near-freezing pavement.
Safety Reminders
Drivers on the Richardson Highway should slow down and use extra caution, especially overnight when snowfall rates are highest.
Check current road conditions at 511.alaska.gov or by calling 511 before heading out.
For live updates, follow NWS Fairbanks on X.
