Weather Alert in Alaska

Recent Locations: Gig Harbor, WA Kodiak, AK

Winter Storm Warning issued March 18 at 9:41PM AKDT until March 20 at 1:00AM AKDT by NWS Juneau AK

AREAS AFFECTED: Cape Fairweather to Lisianski Strait

DESCRIPTION: ...HIT OR MISS SNOW SHOWERS CONTINUE THROUGH THE WEEK... .Snow showers from the Gulf of Alaska will continue through Friday morning at least. Snowfall accumulations of 6 to 14 inches are expected through Friday, with some locally higher amounts possible. A steadier band of snow has set up near Juneau this evening, with 1 inch per hour snowfall rates. A short fused Winter Storm Warning has been issued for Juneau through Wednesday night. A more organized area of showers is expected to impact the NE gulf coast on Thursday bringing more intense snow falls which has prompted the addition of winter storm warnings for Yakutat and Pelican. However, accumulations will be limited during the daytime due to warmer temperatures as we are now into the latter half of March. In addition, snowfall accumulations will be widely variable across the area due to the hit or miss nature of the showers, however rates as high as 1 inch per hour and visibilities down to 1/2 mile or less will be possible within any heavier showers that repeatedly move over the same location. Advisories could be upgraded to short-fuse Winter Storm Warnings if heavier snow showers continue over the same area. A relative lull in the heaviest showers is likely for some areas on Friday, but more snow may sweep into the panhandle for the weekend. * WHAT...Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches. Visibilities reduced to 1/2 mile or less at times. * WHERE...Cape Fairweather to Lisianski Strait. * WHEN...Until 1 AM AKDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Travel will be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Heaviest snow showers are expected from early Thursday morning into Thursday night. Amounts could be highly variable.

INSTRUCTION: 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.

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Weather Topic: What are Fractus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Fractus Clouds

Fractus Clouds Next Topic: Freezing Rain

A fractus cloud (scud) is a fragmented, tattered cloud which has likely been sheared off of another cloud. They are accessory clouds, meaning they develop from parent clouds, and are named in a way which describes the original cloud which contained them.

Fractus clouds which have originated from cumulus clouds are referred to as cumulus fractus, while fractus clouds which have originated from stratus clouds are referred to as stratus fractus. Under certain conditions a fractus cloud might merge with another cloud, or develop into a cumulus cloud, but usually a fractus cloud seen by itself will dissipate rapidly.

They are often observed on the leading and trailing edges of storm clouds, and are a display of wind activity.

Next Topic: Freezing Rain

Weather Topic: What is Graupel?

Home - Education - Precipitation - Graupel

Graupel Next Topic: Hail

Graupel is a form of precipitation that is created by atmospheric conditions which cause supercooled water droplets to contact snow crystals and freeze to their surface.

Sometimes known as soft hail or snow pellets, graupel is delicate and easily destroyed by touch. Whereas hail usually falls during severe weather, graupel doesn't require such conditions to form, and can form in mild precipitation similar to situations which produce snowfall.

Next Topic: Hail