Up to 18 inches of snow is forecast over high terrain through Thursday under a new winter storm warning from the National Weather Service, with gusts to 35 mph and blowing snow that could significantly reduce visibility. The warning follows several winter alerts from the same forecast office since the weekend.
Snow Totals And Timing
NWS Fairbanks has the winter storm warning in effect from 2 p.m. ET Tuesday to 8 p.m. ET Thursday for the south slopes of the Western Brooks Range and the Noatak Valley, including Red Dog Mine, Noatak and Walker Lake. Total accumulation ranges from 6 to 18 inches, with winds gusting as high as 35 mph and areas of blowing snow.
Below 800 feet the forecast is mostly rain, and some rain is possible near Red Dog Mine on Tuesday. Precipitation peaks Tuesday and Wednesday, the heaviest snow arrives Wednesday, and temperatures cool from Wednesday into Thursday. For anyone who has to travel, NWS Fairbanks recommends keeping an extra flashlight, food and water in the vehicle.
A Run Of Winter Alerts Since The Weekend
The new warning covers the same zone as one that expired at 8 p.m. ET Sunday, which forecast up to 20 inches on higher terrain with gusts to 55 mph. A second warning over the south slopes of the Central Brooks Range, including the Dalton Highway from Mile Post 165 to Mile Post 232, called for 8 to 16 inches in two waves and ran until 2 a.m. ET Tuesday. A winter weather advisory over the Dalton Highway summits, the Elliott and Steese highways and the Taylor Highway north of Mile Post 9 expired at 8 a.m. ET Tuesday, with NWS Fairbanks noting that most of the snow from that storm had passed and only isolated snow showers remained.
Heavy Snow On Headlights And Sensors
LED headlamps need roughly 75 percent less electricity than halogens for the same light output and do not get hot enough to melt snow and ice off the lens, according to The Drive, which reports the problem is worse where snow is wet and sticks readily. Heavy snow can also cover the radar units in the bumper or grille and the camera at the top of the windshield that automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist rely on, and Ford advises that driver-assist features may become unavailable in heavy snow. Clearing the headlight lenses, front bumper and camera area along with the glass, and repeating it on a longer drive, helps keep the lights and sensors clear.
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