Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumSouthcentral Alaskans prepare for another big wind storm.
Some people here were without power for five days after the September 4-5 wind storm that produced gusts over 100 mph in certain parts of town. It looks like another one is headed our way this weekend. These high winds are unprecedented this early in the season.
http://www.adn.com/2012/09/13/2623764/more-big-winds-expected-this-weekend.html
The National Weather Service issued a forecast on Thursday afternoon warning that another strong windstorm may hit Anchorage on Saturday. The news comes as one power company estimates damage from the Sept. 4 storm has cost millions to repair and wind-battered trees remain a danger throughout Anchorage.
"While there remains some uncertainty as to the maximum strength of the winds, this (new) storm is capable of producing winds close to the magnitudes seen in last week's storm," the bulletin said.
The weather service gave "best estimates" of winds of 50 miles per hour on the Upper Hillside and Turnagain Arm by Saturday afternoon, reaching 75 with possible gusts of 100 from Saturday night through late Sunday morning. Those speeds exceed those given in forecasts issued earlier this week.
The Lower Hillside, East Anchorage and Eagle River are predicted to have winds of 40 miles per hour with gusts to 65. The rest of Anchorage will also have strong winds with gusts up to 50 miles per hour.
Conditions should ease by late afternoon on Sunday.
The weather service said there is "a high probability that there will be more uprooted trees."
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This story has been updated to state that we WILL have severe wind tomorrow.
Shrike47
(6,913 posts)Be safe.
Blue_In_AK
(46,436 posts)The last one was really bad, although awe-inspiring. I went outside about 1:30 a.m. on the 5th...the wind was howling, branches were arcing and sparking against the electric wires, the full moon was out, and a brilliant aurora was overhead. It was definitely sensory overload. About 970 millibars, which I guess is a hurricane-level low pressure.
This article, also in today's paper, explains how the loss of arctic ice is probably contributing to these anomalous storms.
http://www.adn.com/2012/09/14/2624536/record-loss-of-arctic-ice-may.html
Suich
(10,642 posts)Stay safe, Blue!!!
Alaska's weather doesn't get much press in the Lower 48. Here's a YouTube video I found that shows some pics around town after the last storm.
In the pictures, you might see the one of the flag pole at our veteran's memorial that blew down. There was a time capsule at the top of it in a coffee can from 1961, pre-earthquake. People had even forgotten it was up there.
http://newsminer.com/bookmark/20059844/article-Anchorage+wind+storm+uncovers+forgotten+time+capsule+