High winds are coming. When and where will they hit?

While under mostly cloudy to even partly sunny skies Wednesday Anchorage warms to near 48 degrees.

Conditions have deteriorated across the Gulf of Alaska and Kodiak last night and Wednesday morning as a rapidly strengthening low approaches the Alaska Peninsula. Assistance from strong upper air movement will allow this storm to move quickly and maintain its strength as it arrives in Southcentral and Prince William Sound.

High wind warnings are in effect for Portage Valley, Turnagain Arm, and the Upper Hillside of Anchorage (above Hillside Drive). The strongest winds will be centered around the time of frontal passage Wednesday morning.

The higher levels of the storm are most unstable thus confining the strongest winds to the Upper Hillside. However, after the storm moves through Anchorage (around midday Wednesday), expect some gusty winds out of the southeast to move into all of Anchorage.

The storm will be slow to weaken Wednesday through Thursday, so expect continued strong winds across the Gulf of Alaska and portions of Southcentral. This storm will bring lots of heavy precipitation to the Gulf Coastal Zone the next couple of days. The heaviest precipitation for most areas will be with the low pressure storm.

The fast moving nature of the storm should help to minimize flooding potential. However, still expect multiple inches of rain along the Gulf Coast. Inland areas will initially remain mostly dry, especially on the non-wind side of the Kenai and Chugach Mountains thanks to periods of strong air flow pushing down the mountains. However, the weakening storm system will eventually head eastward from Bristol Bay and into Southcentral on Thursday, bringing higher probabilities of rain.

Mostly cloudy to even partly sunny in Anchorage on Wednesday after some early morning rain showers. We will warm up to 48 degrees with winds out of the southeast from 10-15 mph but gusting to 25 mph. We are also looking at winds out of the east from 45-60 mph along Turnagain Arm as well as in higher elevations.

Wednesday night there is only a 30 percent chance of rain showers while under cloudy skies as we drop down to 41 degrees. Winds will be out of the south from 20-25 mph gusting to 35 mph. Winds will blow out of the east at 45 mph along Turnagain Arm as well as in higher elevations.

Cloudy in Anchorage on Thursday with a high of 45 degrees with winds out of the southeast from 10-15 mph gusting to 25 mph but out of the east at 45 mph along Turnagain Arm as well as in higher elevations. Cloudy Thursday night with a 60% chance of rain showers with a low of 35 degrees.

Looking ahead, Anchorage will be mostly cloudy on Friday with a 40 percent chance of rain and a high temperature of 43 degrees.

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