The potential for heavy snow at higher elevations in the western U.S. will continue for many spots through the weekend. In the meantime, the eastern half of the continental U.S. will transition to above normal temperatures ahead of a pair of cold fronts next week that will bring readings back to closer to normal as we approach Thanksgiving Day. Read More >
Anchorage, AK
Weather Forecast Office
...UPDATE ON MAJOR STORM SYSTEM HEADED FOR THE SOUTHERN ALASKA MAINLAND... A MAJOR STORM REMAINS ON TRACK TO BRING HEAVY RAIN AND STRONG WINDS TO MUCH OF THE SOUTHERN MAINLAND DURING THE EARLY TO MIDDLE PART OF THIS WEEK. THERE IS A LARGE SPREAD IN THE LATEST FORECAST GUIDANCE ON THE TRACK OF KEY FEATURES WITH THIS VERY LARGE SYSTEM. THUS...FORECAST CONFIDENCE IS LOW FOR MANY OF THE DETAILS OF TIMING AND LOCATION OF HEAVIEST RAIN AND STRONGEST WINDS. THERE IS HOWEVER ENOUGH CONFIDENCE IN SOME OF THE MORE LIKELY IMPACTS. AS OF SUNDAY AFTERNOON THE FOLLOWING HAZARD PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN ISSUED. ...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING ALONG TURNAGAIN ARM AND HIGHER ELEVATIONS... ...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING THROUGH PORTAGE VALLEY AND TURNAGAIN ARM... SOUTHEASTERLY WIND GUSTS OF 65 TO 80 MPH ARE POSSIBLE FOR THESE AREAS. ...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 7 PM AKDT MONDAY FROM KUSKOKWIM BAY TO HOOPER BAY... HIGH SURF WITH POTENTIAL FOR COASTAL EROSION IS EXPECTED ALONG SOUTH FACING SHORES. THERE IS ALSO HIGH CONFIDENCE IN THE MARINE FORECASTS FOR THE GULF OF ALASKA NORTHWARD TO PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND...WITH WIDESPREAD GALE TO STORM FORCE WINDS TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY. THE GREATEST AREA OF UNCERTAINTY WITH THE UPCOMING STORM IS THE TRACK OF A SECONDARY SURFACE LOW ON TUESDAY NIGHT FROM SOUTH OF KODIAK ISLAND AND THE ALASKA PENINSULA UP TO INTERIOR SOUTHWEST ALASKA. FORECAST GUIDANCE SHOWS A 300 MILE SPREAD IN WHERE THIS LOW WILL TRACK. THIS LEADS TO VERY LOW FORECAST CONFIDENCE ACROSS THE WESTERN GULF/KODIAK ISLAND UP TO COOK INLET AND INTO PORTIONS OF INTERIOR SOUTHWEST ALASKA. DEPENDING ON THE TRACK OF THE SURFACE LOW...THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT STRONG WINDS COULD AFFECT LOWER ELEVATIONS OF THE KENAI PENINSULA...ANCHORAGE...AND THE MATANUSKA VALLEY SOMETIME WEDNESDAY. THIS POTENTIAL ALWAYS WARRANTS CLOSE MONITORING DURING THE FALL SEASON WHEN THE PRESENCE OF LEAVES ON THE TREES AND UNFROZEN SOILS CAN LEAD TO MUCH GREATER IMPACT FROM STRONG WINDS COMPARED WITH SIMILAR WINDS IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER. THE TRACK OF THE LOW WILL ALSO DETERMINE WHICH AREAS WILL SEE THE HEAVIEST RAIN AND BE MOST SUSCEPTIBLE TO FLOODING. STAY TUNED TO LOCAL MEDIA AND NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECASTS FOR MORE DETAILS ON THIS APPROACHING FALL STORM. THE LATEST FORECAST AND WARNINGS ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/AFC
US Dept of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Weather Service
Anchorage, AK
6930 Sand Lake Road
Anchorage, AK 99502
907-266-5105
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