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 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 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.

Peak gusts included 66 mph at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, 110 mph at Bear Valley and 107 mph at Arctic Valley.

A cold front is bringing freezing temperatures and hazardous conditions to millions across the country this month.

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

At the height of the storm, 17,500 Alaska residents were without power, according Chugach Electric Association.

This stretch of warm weather has been gripping the state since December, with little in the way of cold weather expected this week. While that has been the case as of late, many areas across the state have begun to see some much needed snowfall.

A ferocious storm that pounded Southcentral Alaska with high winds and rain Sunday has left thousands still without power as utility crews grapple with unusually extensive damage to lines and poles. Anchorage schools closed Monday due to what district officials described as weather-related issues related to power outages as well as slick parking lots and building maintenance needs.

Gusts reached 111 mph in the Bear Valley area, with an Anchorage pedestrian bridge severely damaged early Sunday.

Temperatures plunged below freezing across parts of northern Florida on Wednesday, with some areas even dipping into the teens, making parts of the Sunshine State colder than Anchorage, Alaska. Millions of people are facing frigid temperatures through this week.

Project could inform strategies for Buffalo and New York State by evaluating housing in a part of the country where climate change is occurring faster.