Winter weather advisories issued for Mat-Su, Anchorage

Dust off the snow shovels and plows. After days of relentless bitter cold, the Southcentral is gearing up for snow, with some areas expected to see snow measuring in feet, while other areas will see inches of accumulation beginning Sunday and into Monday.

The National Weather Service has issued several winter weather advisories including a snow advisory to the Susitna Valley, with total snow accumulations of 5 to 10 inches. Light snow is expected to fall beginning on Sunday afternoon, intensifying as the day goes by. NWS predicts that the highest rate of snow accumulation will take place overnight into, and perhaps a tapering off of snow before a second snowfall comes through on Monday morning.

The highest snow accumulation is expected to be along the Parks Highway south of the Talkeetna Spur Road, as well as areas west towards Skwentna.

Likewise, there is a similar snow advisory for the Matanuska Valley and Anchorage Municipality, with total snowfall around 4 to 7 inches. However, residents should expect heavier snow along East Turnagain Arm and the Seward Highway, with snow accumulation anywhere from 8 to 20 inches as a low pressure system pushes towards Prince William Sound that will bring heavy snow along the Seward Highway, from Girdwood to Portage, through Turnagain Pass and south to Seward. Light snow in the afternoon will intensify as the day progresses. While snow is expected to persist through Monday night, the heaviest snow and highest snow accumulation will be during the evening hours Sunday into Monday morning with more than a foot possible. Snow rates may exceed 1 inch per hour at times, resulting in periods of poor visibility.

The heaviest snowfall is expected along the Richardson Highway south of Tonsina, with snow accumulation of up to 32 inches, while up to 16 inches of additional snow accumulation is forecasted on the Edgerton Highway near the southern Copper River Basin. The NWS has issued an advisory until 7 p.m. Monday, but expects this to be a longer snow event that could last until Tuesday.

Areas further north between Glennallen and Paxson may see 5 to 10 inches of additional snowfall.

Residents are advised to plan on snow to impact the morning commute with slippery road conditions.

This is a developing story.