Skagway, Alaska (KINY) – High winds have continued for the Skagway area as of Saturday morning. A High Wind Warning has been issued for Skagway and the Klondike Highway. The Wind Chill Advisory has been switched to a Winter Weather Advisory due to the blowing snow observed on The Federal Aviation Administration webcams. 65 miles per hour winds are expected.
The blowing snow and wind chill combined can bring temperatures to 50 below 0 according to the National Weather Service statement.
The high wind warning expires at 6:00 a.m. Sunday.
High winds will blow around unsecured objects and may damage property and cause power outages.
Public Information Officer for the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, Sam Dapcevich, said the road has been closed frequently over the past week due to wind and heavy drifting on the highway.
There was an avalanche that hit the road and another avalanche that did not hit the road. Dapcevich said that DOT&PF’s crew field and avalanche techs feel that there is a danger to keeping the road open between Skagway and Whitehorse.
Early on Saturday, they had a plow truck that led a group of vehicles through the area, but as of Saturday afternoon, the highway was closed due to the high winds and drifting snow. It will remain closed until conditions improve.
