Weather Forecast for Ketchikan

...MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL RETURNS SUNDAY INTO MONDAY... .Bands of snow showers continue to push into the NE Gulf as with widely varying conditions. Advisory level snowfall rates of around 1 inch per 3 hours are possible from Yakutat to Pelican, with lighter rates inland. If snow showers train over one location for an extended period of time, visibility could drop to 1 mile at times with greater accumulations. This wave of showers is separate from a stronger low pressure system that is expected to track northward across the panhandle starting Sunday morning and continuing through Monday. Steady snowfall will return with heaviest rates across the southern panhandle starting Sunday morning into the afternoon and for the northern and central Alaska Panhandle starting Sunday afternoon and continuing into Monday. Current forecast snowfall accumulations within the Winter Storm Warnings are between 6 to 14 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, 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 by Sunday 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...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 6 inches. Winds gusting as high as 50 to 60 mph. * WHERE...Ketchikan Gateway Borough and Annette Island. * WHEN...From 4 AM to 7 PM AKDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Strong winds can create times of blowing snow with reduced visibility. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A strong front will push into the southern panhandle starting late Sunday morning, initially bringing widespread snowfall across the area. As this front pushes northward, temperatures across the southern panhandle will warm with an expected changeover to a rain/snow mix or all rain by Sunday evening. Main forecast challenge will be the timing of this change over and the resulting snowfall accumulations.

Slow down and use caution while traveling. People are urged to prepare their property before the onset of winter weather. For the latest road conditions, where available, call 5 1 1 or visit 511.alaska.gov. Mariners should prepare their vessels for heavy snow followed by heavy rain. Check bilge pumps.

* WHAT...East winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph expected. * WHERE...Western Kupreanof Island and Kuiu Island and Ketchikan Gateway Borough. * WHEN...From 1 PM Sunday to 1 AM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Use extra caution if traveling by land, sea, or air.

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

* WHAT...East winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph expected. * WHERE...Western Kupreanof Island and Kuiu Island and Ketchikan Gateway Borough. * WHEN...From 1 PM Sunday to 1 AM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Use extra caution if traveling by land, sea, or air.

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

...MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL RETURNS SUNDAY INTO MONDAY... .Bands of snow showers continue to push into the NE Gulf as with widely varying conditions. While snow showers have becoming scattered and largely moved away from Sitka to Elfin Cove, snowfall rates have increased greatly over Yakutat. Thus that area has been upgraded to a warning. This wave of showers is separate from a stronger low pressure system that is expected to track northward across the panhandle starting Sunday morning and continuing through Monday. Steady snowfall will return with heaviest rates across the southern panhandle starting Sunday morning into the afternoon and for the northern and central Alaska Panhandle starting later Sunday afternoon and continuing into Monday. Current forecast snowfall accumulations within the Winter Storm Warnings are between 6 to 14 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, 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 by Sunday 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...Snow. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 6 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 difficult. Strong winds could cause blowing snow with reduced visibility and tree damage. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snowfall rates will increase through Sunday morning. As the front pushes northward, temperatures across the southern panhandle will warm with an expected changeover to a rain/snow mix or all rain by Sunday evening. Main forecast challenge will be the timing of this change over and the resulting snowfall accumulations. Greatest accumulations at elevation.

Slow down and use caution while traveling. People are urged to prepare their property before the onset of winter weather. For the latest road conditions, where available, call 5 1 1 or visit 511.alaska.gov.

...MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL RETURNS SUNDAY INTO MONDAY... .Bands of snow showers continue to push into the NE Gulf as with widely varying conditions. Advisory level snowfall rates of around 1 inch per 3 hours are possible from Yakutat to Pelican, with lighter rates inland. If snow showers train over one location for an extended period of time, visibility could drop to 1 mile at times with greater accumulations. This wave of showers is separate from a stronger low pressure system that is expected to track northward across the panhandle starting Sunday morning and continuing through Monday. Steady snowfall will return with heaviest rates across the southern panhandle starting Sunday morning into the afternoon and for the northern and central Alaska Panhandle starting Sunday afternoon and continuing into Monday. Current forecast snowfall accumulations within the Winter Storm Warnings are between 6 to 14 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, 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 by Sunday 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 snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph. * WHERE...Prince of Wales Island. * WHEN...From 4 AM Sunday to 1 PM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel will be difficult . * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Current forecast has heaviest snowfall rates arriving Sunday morning with a transition to rain/snow mix or all rain by Sunday evening. Highest snowfall accumulations expected along interior roadways.

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water with you in case of an emergency. People are urged to prepare their property before the onset of winter weather. For the latest road conditions, where available, call 5 1 1 or visit 511.alaska.gov.