Weather

Rainfall covers a windshield on Kalifornsky Beach Road in Soldotna, Alaska on Friday, June 9, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Flood watch issued for Kenai Peninsula

A flood watch was issued Thursday by the National Weather Service for the Kenai Peninsula and a wide swath of Southcentral Alaska warning of potential… Continue reading

Rainfall covers a windshield on Kalifornsky Beach Road in Soldotna, Alaska on Friday, June 9, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A photo taken from Skyline Drive at about 11:20 p.m. Saturday, July 15, 2023, shows vehicles evacuating from the Homer Spit after a tsunami warning was issued. The warning did not affect the Homer area, but sirens sounded anyway. The warning was later canceled. (Photo by Shannon Cefalu/courtesy)

Tsunami alert, mixed messages trigger evacuation in Homer

Southwest earthquake lights up peninsula phones Saturday

A photo taken from Skyline Drive at about 11:20 p.m. Saturday, July 15, 2023, shows vehicles evacuating from the Homer Spit after a tsunami warning was issued. The warning did not affect the Homer area, but sirens sounded anyway. The warning was later canceled. (Photo by Shannon Cefalu/courtesy)
Two bald eagles perch Monday, March 14, 2022, on a tsunami warning tower on the Homer Spit. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News file)

Peninsula tsunami warning sirens to be replaced, tested in the next month

Sirens in Homer last saw use only days ago, when a Saturday night tsunami warning activated the system

Two bald eagles perch Monday, March 14, 2022, on a tsunami warning tower on the Homer Spit. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News file)
Rainfall covers a windshield on Kalifornsky Beach Road in Soldotna, Alaska on Friday, June 9, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Prolonged rainfall forecast for this weekend

Prolonged, steady rainfall is forecast for the central Kenai Peninsula this weekend. A special weather statement issued by the National Weather Service on Friday warns… Continue reading

Rainfall covers a windshield on Kalifornsky Beach Road in Soldotna, Alaska on Friday, June 9, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A special weather statement has been issued for the Kenai Peninsula and surrounding areas. (Screenshot via National Weather Service)

‘Unseasonably strong storm’ forecast for this weekend

Saturday is set to be busy around the central peninsula, with a variety of events scheduled

A special weather statement has been issued for the Kenai Peninsula and surrounding areas. (Screenshot via National Weather Service)
Snow is cleared from the road during the start of another major snowfall on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, outside of the Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Several inches of snow forecast for this weekend

A “complex area of low pressure” will move into Southcentral Alaska this weekend

Snow is cleared from the road during the start of another major snowfall on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, outside of the Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Homer Spit is evacuated during the July 28 tsunami warning at about 10:50 p.m. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Tsunami warning test scheduled for Wednesday morning

The National Weather Service will conduct a statewide test of the tsunami warning system Wednesday morning. Sirens may be heard in Port Graham, Nanwalek, Homer,… Continue reading

The Homer Spit is evacuated during the July 28 tsunami warning at about 10:50 p.m. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
A blizzard warning is issued for the Eastern Kenai Peninsula and beyond by the National Weather Service on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (Screenshot)

Blizzard warning issued for Seward, Turnagain Pass

Snow accumulation is predicted to be from 7 to 20 inches

A blizzard warning is issued for the Eastern Kenai Peninsula and beyond by the National Weather Service on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (Screenshot)
Snow is cleared from a roof near the Copper Center Soldotna, Alaska on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. Several nearby businesses were closed after a roof collapse. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Fire chief addresses concerns about roof safety in wake of heavy snow

Fears are compounded by a string of reported building collapses this winter

Snow is cleared from a roof near the Copper Center Soldotna, Alaska on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. Several nearby businesses were closed after a roof collapse. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A grader moves down First Avenue in Kenai, Alaska, during a snow storm on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Snow pummels peninsula, with more to come

The advisory, in effect until 12 p.m. on Wednesday, warned of between 6 and 12 inches of snow

A grader moves down First Avenue in Kenai, Alaska, during a snow storm on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow is cleared from the road during the start of another major snowfall on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 outside of The Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Winter storm watch issued for Tuesday and Wednesday

A winter storm watch was issued by the National Weather Service on Monday, warning of widespread snow across the western Kenai Peninsula, in effect from… Continue reading

Snow is cleared from the road during the start of another major snowfall on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 outside of The Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A City of Kenai grader moves snow from a roadway on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School snow removal gets financial boost

The Kenai Peninsula Borough will get an additional $390,000 for sanding and snow removal at school facilities following approval of the funds by borough assembly… Continue reading

A City of Kenai grader moves snow from a roadway on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow is cleared from the road during the start of another major snowfall on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 outside of The Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Snow and rain, hazardous driving conditions forecast

A winter weather advisory was issued Wednesday by the National Weather Service for Kenai, Soldotna, Homer and Cooper Landing, in effect from 12:01 a.m. until… Continue reading

Snow is cleared from the road during the start of another major snowfall on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 outside of The Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow is cleared from the road during the start of another major snowfall on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, outside the Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Rain and wintry mix expected through midweek

Freezing rain or snow covered roadways will lead to hazardous driving conditions, a special weather statement said

Snow is cleared from the road during the start of another major snowfall on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, outside the Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A map of updated marine zone boundaries, set to be put into effect on March 8, 2023. (Screenshot)

Weather Service to update marine zones for better forecasts and warnings

Changes are set to be implemented March 8.

A map of updated marine zone boundaries, set to be put into effect on March 8, 2023. (Screenshot)
A train derailed by a large natural avalanche near Kern Creek is covered snow, Jan. 1, 2023, in Girdwood, Alaska. (Photo via Chugach Avalanche Center/Travis Smith) , 1.17.23.

Special avalanche bulletin issued for Turnagain Pass this weekend

The bulletin is in effect 6 a.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday

A train derailed by a large natural avalanche near Kern Creek is covered snow, Jan. 1, 2023, in Girdwood, Alaska. (Photo via Chugach Avalanche Center/Travis Smith) , 1.17.23.
A train derailed by a large natural avalanche near Kern Creek is covered snow, Jan. 1, 2023, in Girdwood, Alaska. (Photo via Chugach Avalanche Center/Travis Smith)

High winds and heavy snowfall make for high avalanche risks

The Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center had recorded 11 avalanches this week

A train derailed by a large natural avalanche near Kern Creek is covered snow, Jan. 1, 2023, in Girdwood, Alaska. (Photo via Chugach Avalanche Center/Travis Smith)
Dark clouds hang over Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 26, 2022, seen from the parking lot of the Quality Inn in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Ice and snow are expected Tuesday

The ice will make for slippery roads and hazardous conditions that could impact morning commutes

Dark clouds hang over Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 26, 2022, seen from the parking lot of the Quality Inn in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Frozen tree branches reach down over a purple sky in a field down Murwood Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Christmas weekend to be cold and windy

Sunday night there will be a chance of snow

Frozen tree branches reach down over a purple sky in a field down Murwood Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
An ice jam in the Kenai River can be seen here from the Soldotna Bridge in this January 2020 photo. (Courtesy Dan Nelson/Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)

Weather service warns of potential ice jams on Kenai River

Communities previously affected by flooding because of ice jams and buildup include Big Eddy and the Riverside Drive/Eddy Lane subdivision

An ice jam in the Kenai River can be seen here from the Soldotna Bridge in this January 2020 photo. (Courtesy Dan Nelson/Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)