ANCHORAGE, Alaska — While clouds have spread back into Southcentral, rain or snow will be hard to come by. A few flurries or sprinkles will creep across the area from west to east. Behind them, expect periods of sunshine into the late afternoon. Highs will reach the mid 40s for most spots.
Light snow is likely over the central and western Interior, with scattered rain and snow showers along the west coast. Accumulations of an inch or two are possible for the NW and western Interior. Highs in the 30s with 40s along the west coast.
As one storm system weakens over the Bering Strait, another is quickly gathering strength south of the Aleutians. This low will track northeastward toward Bristol Bay by early tomorrow. High pressure will remain strong east and south of this low, resulting in very strong winds. Wind gusts will approach 50 mph for channeled terrain of the Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak Island later today, before reaching Southcentral overnight. A High Wind Watch is in effect beginning early Friday for winds out of the S/SW 40-60 mph and gusts up to 80 mph for Turnagain Arm and Portage Valley. Winds will also become very gusty along Anchroage's Upper Hillside late tonight.
