Snow warning: Richardson Highway in Alaska under winter weather advisory as up to 8 inches expected

An unusual burst of winter weather is set to hit Alaska’s eastern mountain range, with motorists facing heavy snow, strong wind gusts and potentially difficult travel conditions along a key section of the Richardson Highway.

The National Weather Service office in Fairbanks issued a winter weather advisory on Sunday covering a 57-mile stretch of the highway north of Isabel Pass. Forecasters expect between 5 and 8 inches of snow at higher elevations, with heavier accumulation possible above pass level.

Wind gusts could reach 40 mph, creating blowing snow and sharply reducing visibility for drivers.


The advisory begins at 4 a.m. Monday and remains in effect until 8 a.m. Tuesday, making Monday morning the period of greatest concern for anyone travelling through the area.

Snow to replace rain overnight

The weather is expected to change quickly.

Rain will arrive first before temperatures fall enough for precipitation to turn into snow overnight. The heaviest snowfall is expected Monday morning, while the snow line could fall to around 2,000 feet.

That elevation matters because the Richardson Highway passes through mountainous terrain, meaning accumulating snow could reach sections of the roadway rather than remaining limited to the highest peaks.

The National Weather Service warned that travel could become difficult, particularly as snowfall combines with gusty winds and blowing snow.

57 miles of Richardson Highway under advisory

The warning covers the eastern Alaska Range on both sides of Trims Camp.

The affected portion of the Richardson Highway runs approximately from Milepost 202 to Milepost 259, encompassing areas including Trims Camp, Black Rapids and Donnelly Dome.

The snowfall forecast of 5 to 8 inches applies primarily to higher elevations of the highway north of Isabel Pass. Snow totals above the pass could be greater, although forecasters have not provided a specific figure.

For drivers, the combination of snow, wind and changing road temperatures could prove more significant than the headline snowfall total alone.

Why wet roads can become especially slippery

The sequence of the storm could create another problem for motorists.

Because rain is expected before the snow, roads may initially be wet before temperatures drop and snow begins accumulating. As the pavement cools overnight, the combination of moisture and falling temperatures can make driving conditions deteriorate quickly.

The timing is particularly important because the heaviest snow is expected during Monday morning's commute and early travel period.

A road that appears merely wet during the initial phase of the storm can become snow-covered or icy as temperatures continue to fall.

Your car’s temperature gauge is not telling the whole story

One easily overlooked factor during winter driving is the difference between air temperature and pavement temperature.

A vehicle's outside-temperature sensor measures the surrounding air, generally from a position near the front of the vehicle. The road surface underneath the tyres can be considerably warmer or colder than that reading.

Pavement exposed to sunlight may retain heat after sunset, while shaded sections can cool much faster. This means two stretches of road on the same journey can have very different traction conditions even when the dashboard temperature remains unchanged.

Many vehicles display an ice warning when the outside temperature approaches the upper 30s Fahrenheit. That alert can be useful, but it does not directly measure the temperature of the road.

Winter tyres matter more than all-wheel drive on ice

Cold weather also changes how tyres behave.

Winter tyres are designed to remain flexible at lower temperatures, while all-season tyres can become less pliable as the mercury falls. That difference can affect braking and cornering when roads are wet, icy or snow-covered.

All-wheel drive can help a vehicle put power to the road during acceleration, but it does not provide the same benefit when braking or maintaining grip through a turn.

Tyre pressure is another consideration.

Cold temperatures can lower tyre pressure, so drivers heading into the Alaska Range should check their tyres before setting out. A tyre that was correctly inflated during warmer summer weather may show a lower pressure after a significant temperature drop.

Monday morning could be the most challenging period

The advisory's timing gives motorists a relatively clear indication of when conditions are expected to worsen.

Sunday is expected to remain outside the advisory period. The transition begins overnight, with rain changing to snow before the most significant snowfall arrives Monday morning.

The combination of fresh snow, wind gusts reaching 40 mph and blowing snow could make visibility especially poor at exposed sections of the highway.

Drivers should also remember that conditions can change rapidly in mountainous terrain. A relatively clear road at a lower elevation does not necessarily mean the same conditions will exist farther along the route.

Check Alaska road conditions before leaving

Motorists planning to use the Richardson Highway during the advisory period are being urged to slow down and use caution.

The National Weather Service also recommends checking the latest road information before travelling.

Drivers can access 511 Alaska for current road conditions or dial 511 for updates.

With snow expected to arrive after rain and temperatures falling through the overnight hours, the biggest concern may not simply be how much snow falls—but how quickly the road changes underneath it.