Key facts
- Alert
- Winter Storm Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Fairbanks AK
- Areas
- Yukon Flats; White Mountains and High Terrain South of the Yukon River; Upper Chena River Valley; Fortymile Country; Upper Tanana Valley; Delta Junction; Eastern Alaska Range North of Trims Camp; Eastern Alaska Range South of Trims Camp; Tanana Flats; Eielson AFB and Salcha; Two Rivers
- In effect
- until 4:00 PM AKDT, Oct 21, 2026
What the National Weather Service says
“Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 11 inches expected.”
NWS Fairbanks AK, Winter Storm Warning, 3:01 AM AKDT Oct 21, 2026 · official alert
“Travel could be very difficult.”
NWS Fairbanks AK, Winter Storm Warning, 3:01 AM AKDT Oct 21, 2026 · official alert
“If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.”
NWS Fairbanks AK, Winter Storm Warning, 3:01 AM AKDT Oct 21, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Avoid travel if you can. The National Weather Service says travel could be very difficult, and blowing snow could cut visibility to below one half mile at times.
If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Visit 511.alaska.gov or call 5 1 1 for the latest road conditions.
Protect pipes, plants and pets from the cold, and check on older neighbors. The National Weather Service says snowfall rates will diminish through Wednesday.
Context
Federal flood-insurance records show 72 claims in one of the affected areas (from 1984 to 2020) and 245 in another (from 1978 to 2024). These counts cover only insured properties and mostly reflect flooding, not snow.
FEMA has made several disaster declarations for these areas. They include severe winter storm and straight-line winds in March 2022 (declaration 4648), which covered two of the three areas.
Updates
- The winter storm warning is no longer in effect.
- NWS Fairbanks AK issued the winter storm warning until 4:00 PM AKDT.
History here
This county: 72 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1984, most recent 2020.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4893 (2025): severe storms, flooding, and remnants of typhoon halong
- DR-4730 (2023): flooding
- DR-4648 (2022): severe winter storm and straight-line winds
- DR-4122 (2013): flooding
- DR-1843 (2009): flooding and ice jams
This county: 245 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2024.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4648 (2022): severe winter storm and straight-line winds
- DR-4162 (2014): severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding
- DR-1796 (2008): severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
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Questions
- Is there a Winter Storm Warning in Fairbanks-area interior Alaska today?
- Yes. The National Weather Service in Fairbanks has a Winter Storm Warning in effect until 4:00 PM AKDT today. It covers areas including the Yukon Flats, Upper Chena River Valley, Delta Junction and Two Rivers.
- How much snow is expected in the Winter Storm Warning?
- The National Weather Service expects total snow accumulations of 5 to 11 inches. Snowfall rates will diminish through Wednesday.
- When does the Winter Storm Warning end?
- The warning is set to expire at 4:00 PM AKDT on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Check 511.alaska.gov or call 5 1 1 for current road conditions.
Sources
- NWS Fairbanks AK: Winter Storm Warning, Oct 21, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
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