The extreme cold and hazardous blizzard conditions could pose significant risks to residents, travelers, and outdoor workers.

NWS Alaska meteorologist Tim Markle said the warnings are designed to let community members know when the cold weather presents a risk to the community. However, the old system set wind chill warnings and advisories, which were statewide in scope, and only kicked in when there was a wind chill.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued several winter weather alerts for Alaska, with some areas expected to get up to 20 inches of snow while parts of the state are experiencing unusually warm temperatures. Alaska, known for its extremely cold and snowy climate, has experienced some rare warm weather this month.

The National Weather Service is calling for a series of atmospheric rivers to descend on Southcentral over the weekend.

Snowfall up to an inch per hour in parts of town left vehicles sliding off local roads, according to meteorologists and police.

The weather service warned of 30 to 45 mph winds, with gusts up to 80 mph, for higher elevations around Anchorage and Eagle River.

Cairo and its ancient pyramids sits on nearly the exact same line of latitude as the Mississippi Coast. Weather there on Wednesday peaked at 71 degrees with a light rain around noon. Dead pharaohs can expect temps to rest in the upper 60s for the remainder of the week.

Expect temperatures to get warmer during the days through the weekend, but overnight lows will still be freezing for most of North and Central Florida.

The storm that struck New Orleans this week left the Gulf Coast city under twice as much snow as Anchorage, Alaska has received in nearly two months. "New Orleans, we'd like our snow back," the NWS Anchorage office said.

It’s been warmer in Alaska than in three dozen other states. If someone asked you, “Where can I go in the United States to escape the frigid air this January?” what would you say?

The weather has even affected some outdoor activities here in Anchorage. The Anchorage Parks and Rec had to cancel one of their family skating events due to the melting ice at Westchester Lagoon, but they're hoping for cooler temperatures for their next event this weekend.

Potentially damaging southwest wind, a risk for severe thunderstorms, flash flooding and heavy snow on the peaks of the Big Island’s volcanoes are all in the forecast.