Weather Alert in Alaska

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Winter Storm Warning issued February 18 at 3:14PM AKST until February 20 at 9:00AM AKST by NWS Juneau AK

AREAS AFFECTED: City and Borough of Sitka

DESCRIPTION: ...ACCUMULATING SNOW ACROSS THE PANHANDLE TO END THE WEEK... .A front moving across the gulf and developing low across the northern coast will bring snow showers to the panhandle beginning late Wednesday night. With stable cold dry continental air in place ahead of this system, precipitation is expected to remain snow throughout the event with high snow ratios. The initial frontal wave will push eastward into the panhandle with the northeast gulf coast seeing showers late tonight and highest snow accumulations expected along the outer coast with orographic enhancement. For most areas, snow is expected to be light and fluffy in nature due to cold temperatures both aloft and down to the surface. * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 9 to 13 inches. * WHERE...City and Borough of Sitka. * WHEN...From 6 AM Thursday to 9 AM AKST Friday. * IMPACTS...Travel will be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning and evening commute. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow showers are expected to begin early Thursday morning and increase in intensity through the day as the initial frontal band pushes into the outer coast. A secondary surge of heavier showers is expected to impact the area soon afterwards as the surface low drops southward into the gulf.

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. For the latest road conditions, where available, call 5 1 1 or visit 511.alaska.gov.

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Weather Topic: What are Nimbostratus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Nimbostratus Clouds

Nimbostratus Clouds Next Topic: Precipitation

A nimbostratus cloud is similar to a stratus cloud in its formless, smooth appearance. However, a nimbostratus cloud is darker than a stratus cloud, because it is thicker.

Unlike a stratus cloud, a nimbostratus cloud typically brings with it the threat of moderate to heavy precipitation. In some cases, the precipitation may evaporate before reaching the ground, a phenomenon known as virga.

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Weather Topic: What is Rain?

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Rain Next Topic: Shelf Clouds

Precipitation in the form of water droplets is called rain. Rain generally has a tendency to fall with less intensity over a greater period of time, and when rainfall is more severe it is usually less sustained.

Rain is the most common form of precipitation and happens with greater frequency depending on the season and regional influences. Cities have been shown to have an observable effect on rainfall, due to an effect called the urban heat island. Compared to upwind, monthly rainfall between twenty and forty miles downwind of cities is 30% greater.

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