Alaska, (Date) - A series of avalanches and heavy snowstorms have caused several highway closures across the state, creating hazardous travel conditions for residents and travelers.

On Sunday morning, the Seward Highway near its intersection with the Sterling Highway on the Kenai Peninsula was closed due to a large avalanche. The closure, announced just after 8 a.m., was initiated by Alaska State Troopers who issued an alert stating that all lanes of travel on the Seward Highway between mile 36 and 40 were blocked by avalanche debris. The closure will remain in place until the roadway is cleared. Travelers were also warned to avoid driving north from Seward for at least the next 2 hours due to blizzard conditions, including heavy snow and wind.

The western Kenai Peninsula has been under a winter weather advisory, with forecasters predicting 6 to 8 inches of new snow and gusts of wind up to 30 mph. The National Weather Service highlighted the possibility of poor travel conditions due to recent snowfall and rain-on-snow.

The dangerous conditions, caused by heavy snowfall and strong winds, prompted the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center to issue an avalanche warning for backcountry recreators until 6 p.m. Sunday. The warning covers the western Chugach and Kenai Mountains, stretching from Girdwood to Seward. The center urged people to avoid travel in avalanche terrain, citing the potential for large human-triggered and natural slides. Furthermore, roof avalanches were expected, and residents were advised to be cautious of falling snow when underneath roofs.

Not only the Seward Highway, but the Richardson Highway has also been significantly affected by the winter storms. The Richardson Highway, from Mile 19 to 65 at Thompson Pass, remains closed for a winter storm and avalanche mitigation work. Additionally, the Richardson Highway in the Interior, specifically from Mile 182 to 200 north of Paxson, has been closed in both directions due to an avalanche. Crews are currently working diligently to clear the debris from the road.

The closures and hazardous conditions serve as a reminder for residents and travelers to exercise caution and stay informed about changing weather conditions. Authorities advise everyone to monitor travel advisories and warnings, while also taking necessary precautions to ensure their safety.

As the winter storm continues to impact transportation routes, the relevant agencies will provide updates on the progress in clearing debris and reopening the affected highways.