weather

The storm watch is in effect through late Sunday night and is expected to make travel difficult. The agency is predicting two and ten inches of snow on the western Kenai Peninsula, with up to a foot possible in higher elevations.

The U.S. National Weather Service says excessive runoff may cause flooding in rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying areas.

Hazardous conditions closed schools, tribal facilities, city services and certain businesses last week.

The agency’s Anchorage office forecasts between eight and twelve inches of snowfall is possible along roads in Turnagain Pass, Moose Pass, Summit Lake and Hope.

A large outage Thursday night left almost 15,000 Homer Electric Association members without power.

Much of Southcentral Alaska has seen warmer-than-average temperatures and meager snowfall this winter. Meteorologists say it's primarily driven by storms to the west.

A downed high voltage line in Sterling on top of smaller outages kept power out longer in that area.

The conditions are expected to make travel difficult. The agency says to watch for slippery roads and says drivers should slow down and use caution while traveling.

Forecasters are predicting colder-than-normal temperatures for the central Kenai Peninsula this winter. The prediction is driven by recent weather patterns in the Pacific Ocean.

Because of climate change and an expected shift in weather patterns, scientists say it’s difficult to predict this summer’s forecast with accuracy.