Snow heads to Anchorage as earthquake cleanup continues amid limited daylight
This family was caught on camera immediately taking cover as soon as 7.0 magnitude earthquake came and rocked their home in Palmer, Alaska.
While Anchorage continues to catch a break from its typically bitter cold air, the weather and decreasing daylight may cause some obstacles as crews and residents clean up from Friday’s damaging 7.0 magnitude earthquake.
"The good news is that bitter cold is not expected anytime soon," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Samuhel said. "Temperatures will actually be a little above normal through the week."
A dump truck and excavator work on a temporary fix of an off ramp that collapsed after an earthquake on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. A driver attempting to exit Minnesota Drive at International Airport Road was not injured when the ramp sank. (AP Photo/Dan Joling)
Motorists traveling on roads not damaged by the earthquake may encounter slushy conditions on Monday following some rain and snow on Sunday night. Airline passengers with early morning flights to or from Anchorage on Monday may experience delays.
"Anchorage has only received about a quarter of their normal snowfall since Sept. 1," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Mike Doll. "Only 5.2 inches has fallen, which is the same amount as what St. Louis has recorded so far this season."
Anchorage typically receives 21.4 inches of snow by Dec. 1.
After this snow, the early part of the new week will feature calmer conditions for cleanup operations.
Residents, however, will want to clear snow from driveways and sidewalks prior to dusk on Monday. Temperatures plummeting into the lower 20s on Monday night will freeze any slush solid.
Standing water left after water main breaks can freeze and create slippery conditions.
Another warmup and episode of gusty winds may follow at midweek.
Download the free AccuWeather app to get a more detailed forecast for your community.
Crews may not have to bundle up as much as they normally would in December when working on the damaged roads and bridges this week. That can change next week when typical cold should finally return to the Anchorage area.
Regardless of the weather on a given day, short daylight hours can create an obstacle for cleanup operations.
"Crews will have to be using spotlights due to the limited daylight," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
Anchorage averages only about six hours of sunlight daily in early December.
As cleanup operations commence, residents and officials will remain on edge for the threat of more aftershocks.
What do you think will happen? Predict the weather and cash in! Play Forecaster Challenge now.
