KVAK/NorthWave Communications – DOT issued an update at 8:20am that Thompson Pass is open, but conditions are bad. They will be assessing the sitution and will issue another update around noon today (Sunday)
The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning for Thompson Pass (7am Sunday)
-Additional snow accumulations of 18 to 30 inches for Thompson Pass. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph in the Pass
-Additional snow accumulations of 6 to 14 inches for Valdez to Keystone Canyon.
-Light snow will quickly pick up in intensity by late morning. Snow may mix with or change to rain at times this afternoon for Valdez and parts of Keystone Canyon before changing back to all snow this evening. Snow will persist for Thompson Pass with heavy snow early Sunday afternoon through Monday afternoon, with snowfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour possible. Southeasterly winds will also increase this afternoon and turn southerly tonight. Visibilities may fall to one-half mile or less times due to the combination of snow and wind.