Disasters · Upper Kobuk ValleyUpper Kobuk winter storm: 4–10 inches forecast, gusts up to 50 mphAired October 24, 2026 at 12:50 AM UTCWritten October 24, 2026 at 12:58 AM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:07Forecasters urge emergency-only travel in the Upper Kobuk Valley.0:11Heavy snow and strong winds could make travel very difficult, with blowing snow0:15sharply cutting visibility.0:17The storm's expected start time is less clear than its snow and wind forecast.0:21The warning covers Alaska's Upper Kobuk Valley, also called the Upper Kobuk Valleys.0:26The Fairbanks Weather Office has issued a winter storm warning for this area, where0:30snow and strong gusts are expected through the weekend.0:33Forecasters expect 4 to 10 inches of snow over the storm period.0:37That's a range for total accumulation, with amounts varying across the warning area.0:42Anyone planning a journey needs to account for that snow together with the wind.0:45Wind gusts could reach 50 miles an hour.0:48That figure describes the strongest expected bursts of wind.0:51Those bursts can lift snow from the ground as well as drive falling snow across the0:55road ahead.0:56Blowing snow is the immediate visibility threat.0:59A traveler can lose a clear view of the way ahead as wind sweeps snow into the air.1:03The warning says that combination could sharply reduce visibility and make travel1:07very difficult.1:13Snow is expected to change to rain, or a mixture of rain and snow, in the valleys1:17around midday Saturday.1:19That window is approximate, and the forecast describes the valleys specifically.1:23Conditions at other elevations can differ.1:26The warning runs until 4 p.m., Alaska Daylight Time on Sunday, October 25th.1:31It continues beyond Saturday's expected precipitation change.1:34A switch to rain alone doesn't give travelers an all-clear, and the warning1:37scheduled expiration is Sunday afternoon.1:39Friday's stated start times differ by six hours.1:42One is 10 p.m., the other is 4 p.m.1:45The timing is still unclear for Upper Kobuk.1:48Travelers have a clear Sunday expiration, but shouldn't treat either Friday start as1:52settled.1:53The evening times attached to Thursday's alerts describe when the bulletins were1:56issued.1:57They shouldn't be read as Friday storm start times.2:00Forecasters can send a warning before the hazardous weather begins, so the alerts2:04timestamp and the forecast onset serve different purposes.2:07An October 20th watch had already flagged possible heavy snow and blowing snow from2:11Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon.2:13It carried the same possible snowfall range and gust maximum.2:16A later warning update is listed for Friday afternoon, October 23rd.2:20The next developments to watch are Saturday's valley change to rain or mixed2:23precipitation and any revisions to the warning's timing or forecast amounts.2:28Until then, the travel instruction is to restrict trips to emergencies.2:31If a journey is necessary, carry a winter survival kit.Explore with HeyDexFollow via RSSThe shortThe short ↗