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.

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.

It may be January, but the unusually warm, rainy weather feels more like spring breakup, and it's bringing the kind of flooding concerns also usually not seen in the Anchorage area until later in the year.

As Anchorage navigates through a warmer-than-usual winter, meteorologists predict a continuation of the milder temperatures.

The largest populated city in Alaska is still recovering from the hurricane-force winds that battered homes and infrastructure on Sunday, leaving thousands without power.

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

The Gulf Coast city that rarely sees snowflakes has received more than double the snowfall that Anchorage has since Dec. 1, the start of the meteorological winter.

Hatcher Pass Road continues to be closed right after the Skeetawk entrance because of avalanche concerns. Alaska State Parks said there have been avalanches across Palmer-Fishhook and Archangel Roads. It also said an avalanche has dammed the Little Sustina River, which is now flowing through Government Peak Campground.

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.

New Orleans has received more snowfall since the start of meteorological winter than many cold-weather cities across the country.

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.

Unusually cold temperatures in central Florida have led to winter weather advisories, while Alaska has experienced some rare warm weather this month.