| Strong Storm Taking Aim on Alaska's Southern Mainland this Weekend A powerful autumn storm is forecast to bring strong wind and heavy rain to much of Southcentral Alaska beginning Saturday evening. Due to recent rainfall, the ground is saturated leading to a greater risk of flooding and fallen trees. Significant power outages are possible. Winds in Anchorage could gust to 65 mph, and farther east in the higher elevations winds could gust to 110 mph. Full story. 81 PAFC 150349 SPSAER SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK 745 PM AKDT FRI SEP 14 2012 AKZ101-111-121-125-131-135-145-16000- ...STRONG WINDS AND HEAVY RAINS FOR SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA... A STORM OF CONSIDERABLE SIZE AND STRENGTH FOR FALL WILL IMPACT THE SOUTHERN MAINLAND THIS WEEKEND WITH STRONG WINDS AND HEAVY RAINS. THE LOW IS FORMING OVER THE NORTH PACIFIC AND IS EXPECTED TO STRENGTHEN AS IT TRACKS NORTH ACROSS THE ALASKA PENINSULA SATURDAY AFTERNOON...THEN MOVE INTO MAINLAND BRISTOL BAY NEAR TOGIAK AT PEAK INTENSITY ON SUNDAY. THE LOW IS THEN EXPECTED TO CONTINUE MOVING INLAND AND PASS THROUGH THE KUSKOKWIM VALLEY AND SLOWLY BEGIN WEAKENING SUNDAY NIGHT. AN ASSOCIATED WEATHER FRONT WILL TRACK FROM THE SOUTHWEST GULF ON SATURDAY TO THE NORTHERN GULF EARLY ON SUNDAY. THIS FRONT THEN MOVES ONSHORE PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND...THE KENAI PENINSULA AND POINTS INLAND DURING THE DAY SUNDAY. STRONG WINDS: THE SYSTEM WILL FEATURE STRONG WINDS BOTH AHEAD OF AND BEHIND THE FRONT. TYPICAL CHANNELED AREAS AND THE GULF COAST WILL INITIALLY BEAR THE BRUNT...BUT WITH FRONTAL PASSAGE EXPECT WINDS TO ENVELOP HEAVILY POPULATED AND WELL TRAVELED AREAS FROM COOK INLET UP THROUGH THE MAT-SU VALLEY. TRAVEL IS LIKELY TO BE DIFFICULT AND THERE IS A HIGHER THAN NORMAL CHANCE OF UPROOTED TREES DUE TO THE SATURATED GROUND. SIGNIFICANT POWER OUTAGES ARE POSSIBLE. HEAVY RAIN: THE SYSTEM WILL BRING WIDESPREAD RAIN TO SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA. THE RAIN WILL BE PARTICULARLY HEAVY AT TIMES ALONG THE SOUTHERN TO EASTERN KENAI PENINSULA AND PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND WHERE GREATER THAN 6 INCHES OF RAIN CAN BE EXPECTED SATURDAY NIGHT INTO SUNDAY NIGHT. THERE IS AN ELEVATED RISK OF FLOODING ACROSS THESE AREAS AND FLOOD WATCHES HAVE BEEN ISSUED. PEOPLE WITH INTERESTS NEAR STREAMS AND RIVERS ARE ADVISED TO REMAIN INFORMED OF THIS SITUATION. STAY TUNED TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FOR THE LATEST FORECASTS AND WARNINGS FOR THIS STORM. $$ MALOY/DIXON http://pafc.arh.noaa.gov/pubfcst.php?fcst=WWAK81PAFC |