The Anchorage Hillside and Eagle River’s upper elevations could see strong winds early Sunday, with forecasters expecting gusts in some areas to approach 80 mph.
The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning in effect from 1 to 9 a.m. Sunday, in anticipation of a frontal system heading toward Southcentral Alaska that could bring increasing winds starting Saturday evening.
The weather service warned of 30 to 45 mph east to southeast winds, with gusts up to 80 mph, for higher elevations around Anchorage and Eagle River.
Gusts of around 40 mph were also possible in South and Northeast Anchorage, as well as along the Glenn Highway’s S curves, the weather service said in its warning.
Along Turnagain Arm and in Portage Valley from late Saturday night through Sunday morning, sustained winds could reach 25 to 35 mph with gusts ranging from 45 to 60 mph, the weather service said in a separate statement.
Forecasters expected the winds to diminish by midday Sunday.
In the meantime, the weather service urged people in affected areas to prepare for high winds, which could make travel difficult for drivers as well as knock out power, damage property and move loose items and debris.
The warning comes about a week after a storm brought heavy winds and rain that battered Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska, leading to the partial collapse of a pedestrian bridge over the Seward Highway, along with other property damage; school closures and flooding in areas; and extended power outages for some Anchorage residents. Peak gusts from that event topped 100 mph in a couple higher-elevation locations around Anchorage.
Heavy snow at Turnagain and Thompson passes
Farther south, the weather service expected 12 to 20 inches of snow to fall in the Turnagain Pass area from Saturday evening through Sunday night, with the potential for 1 to 2 inches of snow to fall per hour early Sunday through the pass. Drivers were urged to plan for slick roads, reduced visibility and challenging travel conditions.
Here is a look at the products issued across Southcentral AK. These include a High Wind Warning for the Anchorage Hillside and higher elevations of Eagle River, as well as Winter Weather Advisories for Turnagain & Thompson Passes. #AKwx pic.twitter.com/WWeBt3JPUy
— NWS Anchorage (@NWSAnchorage) January 19, 2025
Closer to Valdez, Thompson Pass was expected to see total accumulations of 20 to 30 inches of snow through Monday morning, making for challenging driving conditions and poor visibility.