What's New
The temperature in Anchorage, Alaska, on Monday is abnormally warm, causing a winter storm in the area to produce freezing rain rather than snow just days before Christmas.
Why It Matters
Central and southwestern Alaska have experienced a much warmer December than usual, with temperatures more than 10 degrees above average frequently throughout the month. Earlier in December, a flood warning was issued for part of the state because the warm temperatures were contributing to ice melt.
The abnormally warm temperatures are now threatening a warmer Christmas for a typically snowy environment. The weather could hinder holiday travel and cheer, as freezing rain rather than snow could make for slippery roads.
What To Know
Data from Processed Webdata by Pricing Culture sourced from the National Weather Service (NWS) and provided to Newsweek showed that on Monday, the average temperature in Anchorage was 33 degrees Fahrenheit, 14.3 degrees above the average of 18.7 degrees for December 23. The high temperatures are more than 76 percent above average for the past five years.
Will Anchorage, Alaska, Have a White Christmas?
The warm temperatures were contributing to freezing rain in Anchorage on Monday as a winter storm moved through the region.
Over the next few days, the forecast is showing either freezing rain or cloudy weather, and the state is unlikely to see fresh snow for Christmas.
But NWS meteorologist Ben Salopek told Newsweek that several inches of snow remain around Anchorage, blanketing the city in white. The snow is expected to remain through Christmas.
What Is the Average Temperature for December in Anchorage?
The average temperature in Anchorage this time of year is a high of 24 degrees and a low of 13 degrees. On Monday, the high hit 36 and a low of 30.
Temperatures are dipping again in Alaska over the next six to 10 days, with far northern reaches of the state expecting below-average temperatures and near-normal temperatures forecast for much of the rest of the Last Frontier, according to a forecast from the NWS Climate Prediction Center.
Trends show temperatures again rising shortly afterward, according to the eight- to 14-day temperature outlooks, anticipating above-average figures for nearly the entire state.
What People are Saying
NWS meteorologist Ben Salopek told Newsweek: "We won't be having our temperatures remain warm enough to melt the snow per se, but we are not likely to see any fresh snowfall for Christmas. No system is strong enough to get rid of the snowpack."
NWS Anchorage in a winter weather advisory: "Snow and freezing rain occurring. Additional snow accumulations of up to one inch and additional ice accumulations of a light glaze to one tenth of an inch."
The office added: "Travel could be very difficult. Areas of freezing rain will persist into the early afternoon, especially for the Naknek and King Salmon area. Cooler air aloft will gradually change most precipitation to snow this afternoon."
What Happens Next
Freezing rain will persist on Monday, with the Pricing Culture data anticipating cloudy weather on Christmas Eve. Partly sunny weather is expected in Anchorage for Christmas Day.
Cooler temperatures and light snow could return next week.
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