Some areas of Anchorage could see wind gusts up to 65 mph on Friday before rain moves into the region for the weekend, meteorologists said.
Southeasterly winds were expected to increase across the Anchorage Bowl starting around 2 p.m. with the strongest gusts between 4 and 10 p.m., according to a special weather statement issued by the National Weather Service.
The Anchorage and Eagle River Hillside was expected to see gusts from 45 to 60 mph, and South and West Anchorage may see gusts between 30 and 45 mph, the statement said. On the Upper Hillside and Glen Alps area in Anchorage, gusts of 50 to 65 mph were possible, the weather service said.
Gusts were expected to reach up to 45 mph in Palmer and up to 30 mph in Wasilla, according to the weather service.
The strong winds could trigger power outages, move loose debris and make driving difficult.
Light showers may begin Friday evening in Anchorage and rain is forecast throughout Southcentral Alaska this weekend, said meteorologist Michael Kutz with the National Weather Service office in Anchorage. Heavier rain is expected along the coast of the Eastern Kenai Peninsula and through Prince William Sound, he said. Rain in Anchorage was likely to be light, Kutz said.
“What we’re looking at is just generally some sprinkles — enough to wet the windshield but not necessarily clean the windshield,” he said.
Rain is expected to continue into next week throughout Southcentral Alaska.