High Wind Warning 22, NWS Anchorage, AK

860 
WWAK71 PAFC 171404 AAA
NPWAER

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
504 AM AKST FRI DEC 17 2010

AKZ131-181415-
/X.CON.PAFC.HW.W.0022.101218T0100Z-101219T1400Z/
NORTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...VALDEZ...THOMPSON PASS
504 AM AKST FRI DEC 17 2010

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 5 AM
AKST SUNDAY THROUGH THOMPSON PASS...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ANCHORAGE HAS ISSUED A HIGH WIND
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 5 AM
AKST SUNDAY THROUGH THOMPSON PASS. THE HIGH WIND WATCH IS NO
LONGER IN EFFECT.

NORTH TO EAST WINDS WILL INCREASE DURING THE DAY FRIDAY TO 30 TO
45 MPH IN TOWN AND TO 60 MPH WITH GUSTS TO THROUGH THOMPSON PASS.
WINDS THROUGH THOMPSON PASS ARE THEN EXPECTED TO GUST TO 75 MPH
THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT. WIND CHILLS IN THOMPSON PASS WILL
BE AROUND 45 BELOW ZERO DUE TO THESE WINDS AND COLD AIR
TEMPERATURES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED
OR OCCURRING. PEOPLE ARE URGED TO SECURE LOOSE OBJECTS THAT COULD
BE BLOWN AROUND OR DAMAGED BY THE WIND.

&&

$$

367 
WWAK71 PAFC 171425
NPWAER

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
525 AM AKST FRI DEC 17 2010

AKZ131-181415-
/X.CON.PAFC.HW.W.0022.101218T0100Z-101219T1400Z/
NORTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...VALDEZ...THOMPSON PASS
525 AM AKST FRI DEC 17 2010

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON
TO 5 AM AKST SUNDAY...

A HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
5 AM AKST SUNDAY. 

NORTH TO EAST WINDS WILL INCREASE DURING THE DAY FRIDAY TO 30 TO
45 MPH IN TOWN AND TO 60 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 75 MPH THROUGH THOMPSON
PASS. WINDS THROUGH THOMPSON PASS ARE THEN EXPECTED TO GUST TO 75
MPH THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT. WIND CHILLS IN THOMPSON PASS WILL
BE AROUND 45 BELOW ZERO DUE TO THESE WINDS AND COLD AIR
TEMPERATURES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED
OR OCCURRING. PEOPLE ARE URGED TO SECURE LOOSE OBJECTS THAT COULD
BE BLOWN AROUND OR DAMAGED BY THE WIND.

&&

$$

553 
WWAK71 PAFC 171556 CCA
NPWAER

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
654 AM AKST FRI DEC 17 2010

AKZ131-181600-
/X.COR.PAFC.HW.W.0022.101218T0100Z-101219T1400Z/
NORTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...VALDEZ...THOMPSON PASS
654 AM AKST FRI DEC 17 2010

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON
TO 5 AM AKST SUNDAY THROUGH THOMPSON PASS...

A HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
5 AM AKST SUNDAY. 

NORTH TO EAST WINDS WILL INCREASE DURING THE DAY FRIDAY TO 30 TO
45 MPH IN TOWN AND TO 60 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 75 MPH THROUGH THOMPSON
PASS. WINDS THROUGH THOMPSON PASS ARE THEN EXPECTED TO GUST TO 75
MPH THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT. WIND CHILLS IN THOMPSON PASS WILL
BE AROUND 45 BELOW ZERO DUE TO THESE WINDS AND COLD AIR
TEMPERATURES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED
OR OCCURRING. PEOPLE ARE URGED TO SECURE LOOSE OBJECTS THAT COULD
BE BLOWN AROUND OR DAMAGED BY THE WIND.

&&

$$

105 
WWAK71 PAFC 180120
NPWAER

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
420 PM AKST FRI DEC 17 2010

AKZ131-181500-
/X.CON.PAFC.HW.W.0022.000000T0000Z-101219T1400Z/
NORTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...VALDEZ...THOMPSON PASS
420 PM AKST FRI DEC 17 2010

...HIGH WIND WARNING IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM AKST SUNDAY...

A HIGH WIND WARNING IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM AKST SUNDAY.

NORTH TO EAST WINDS WILL THIS EVENING TO 30 TO 45 MPH IN TOWN AND
TO 60 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 75 MPH THROUGH THOMPSON PASS. WINDS
THROUGH THOMPSON PASS ARE THEN EXPECTED TO GUST TO 75 MPH THROUGH
LATE SATURDAY NIGHT. WIND CHILLS IN THOMPSON PASS WILL BE AROUND
45 BELOW ZERO DUE TO THESE WINDS AND COLD AIR TEMPERATURES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED
OR OCCURRING. PEOPLE ARE URGED TO SECURE LOOSE OBJECTS THAT COULD
BE BLOWN AROUND OR DAMAGED BY THE WIND.

&&

$$

444 
WWAK71 PAFC 180148 CCA
NPWAER

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
447 PM AKST FRI DEC 17 2010

AKZ131-181545-
/X.COR.PAFC.HW.W.0022.000000T0000Z-101219T1400Z/
NORTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...VALDEZ...THOMPSON PASS
447 PM AKST FRI DEC 17 2010

...HIGH WIND WARNING IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM AKST SUNDAY THROUGH
THOMPSON PASS...

A HIGH WIND WARNING IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM AKST SUNDAY THROUGH
THOMPSON PASS.

NORTH TO EAST WINDS WILL THIS EVENING TO 30 TO 45 MPH IN TOWN AND
TO 60 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 75 MPH THROUGH THOMPSON PASS. WINDS
THROUGH THOMPSON PASS ARE THEN EXPECTED TO GUST TO 75 MPH THROUGH
LATE SATURDAY NIGHT. WIND CHILLS IN THOMPSON PASS WILL BE AROUND
45 BELOW ZERO DUE TO THESE WINDS AND COLD AIR TEMPERATURES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED
OR OCCURRING. PEOPLE ARE URGED TO SECURE LOOSE OBJECTS THAT COULD
BE BLOWN AROUND OR DAMAGED BY THE WIND.

&&

$$

556 
WWAK71 PAFC 181352
NPWAER

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
452 AM AKST SAT DEC 18 2010

AKZ131-191400-
/X.CON.PAFC.HW.W.0022.000000T0000Z-101219T1400Z/
NORTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...VALDEZ...THOMPSON PASS
452 AM AKST SAT DEC 18 2010

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM AKST SUNDAY THROUGH
THOMPSON PASS...

A HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM AKST SUNDAY THROUGH
THOMPSON PASS.

AN APPROACHING UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE THE
WINDS IN THE VALDEZ AREA TODAY. NORTHEAST WINDS IN TOWN WILL BE AROUND 35
TO 55 MPH. IN THOMPSON PASS WIND GUSTS SHOULD REACH 75 MPH. THESE
WINDS WILL PERSIST THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT AND THEN BEGIN TO
DIMINISH EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. WIND CHILLS IN THOMPSON PASS WILL
REMAIN IN THE 40 BELOW TO 50 BELOW ZERO RANGE THROUGH SUNDAY
MORNING DUE TO THESE WINDS AND COLD AIR TEMPERATURES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED
OR OCCURRING. PEOPLE ARE URGED TO SECURE LOOSE OBJECTS THAT COULD
BE BLOWN AROUND OR DAMAGED BY THE WIND.

&&

$$

706 
WWAK71 PAFC 181808
NPWAER

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
908 AM AKST SAT DEC 18 2010

AKZ131-190715-
/X.CON.PAFC.HW.W.0022.000000T0000Z-101219T1400Z/
NORTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...VALDEZ...THOMPSON PASS
908 AM AKST SAT DEC 18 2010

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM AKST SUNDAY...

A HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM AKST SUNDAY. 

AN UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WILL MOVE THROUGH THE VALDEZ AREA TODAY
CAUSING AN INCREASE IN WINDS. NORTHEAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS WILL
INCREASE TO 25 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS 60 TO 75 MPH THIS AFTERNOON. 
THESE WINDS WILL PERSIST THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT AND THEN BEGIN TO
DIMINISH EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. WIND CHILLS IN THOMPSON PASS WILL
REMAIN IN THE 40 BELOW TO 50 BELOW ZERO RANGE THROUGH SUNDAY
MORNING DUE TO THESE WINDS AND COLD AIR TEMPERATURES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED
OR OCCURRING. PEOPLE ARE URGED TO SECURE LOOSE OBJECTS THAT COULD
BE BLOWN AROUND OR DAMAGED BY THE WIND.

&&

$$

685 
WWAK71 PAFC 190038
NPWAER

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
338 PM AKST SAT DEC 18 2010

AKZ131-191345-
/X.CON.PAFC.HW.W.0022.000000T0000Z-101219T1400Z/
NORTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...VALDEZ...THOMPSON PASS
338 PM AKST SAT DEC 18 2010

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM AKST SUNDAY...

A HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM AKST SUNDAY. 

AN UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE MOVING THROUGH THE VALDEZ AREA TODAY
IS CAUSING AN INCREASE IN WINDS. NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS WILL
INCREASE TO 30 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS 60 TO 75 MPH BY THIS EVENING.
THESE WINDS WILL PERSIST TONIGHT THEN BEGIN TO DIMINISH EARLY
SUNDAY MORNING. WIND CHILLS IN THOMPSON PASS WILL REMAIN IN THE 40
BELOW TO 50 BELOW ZERO RANGE THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING DUE TO THESE
WINDS AND COLD AIR TEMPERATURES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED
OR OCCURRING. PEOPLE ARE URGED TO SECURE LOOSE OBJECTS THAT COULD
BE BLOWN AROUND OR DAMAGED BY THE WIND.

&&

$$

689 
WWAK71 PAFC 191328
NPWAER

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
428 AM AKST SUN DEC 19 2010

AKZ131-191430-
/X.CAN.PAFC.HW.W.0022.000000T0000Z-101219T1400Z/
NORTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...VALDEZ...THOMPSON PASS
428 AM AKST SUN DEC 19 2010

...HIGH WIND WARNING IS CANCELED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ANCHORAGE HAS CANCELED THE HIGH
WIND WARNING.


$$

SOUTHCENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST ALASKA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
1105 PM AKST THU DEC 16 2010

.ANALYSIS AND UPPER LEVELS...BLOCKING RIDGE OVER THE BERING SEA
IS BEGINNING TO SHIFT EASTWARD AS A LOW MOVES UP THE WEST SIDE
INTO EASTERN RUSSIA AND A COLD FRONT PUSHES UP AGAINST THE RIDGE.
THIS IS HELPING TO PUSH THE VERTICALLY STACKED LOW OVER OVER THE
NORTHEAST PACIFIC SOUTHWARD AND ALLOW PRESSURE GRADIENT TO CONTINUE
TO SLACKEN ACROSS THE SOUTHERN MAINLAND AND EASTERN BERING SEA.
THUS...WINDS ARE SLOWLY DIMINISHING ACROSS THE REGION.

.MODEL DISCUSSION...MODELS STILL STRUGGLING WITH HANDLING OF LOW
MOVING TO THE WESTERN ALEUTIANS SATURDAY AND INTO THE BERING SUNDAY.
12Z GFS IS MUCH FASTER THAN PREVIOUS SOLUTIONS. PLAN TO STICK
CLOSE TO INHERITED FORECAST WHICH IS NOT TOO FAR FROM THE LATEST
NAM/UKMET/ECMWF SOLUTIONS.

.SHORT TERM FORECAST...

SOUTHWEST/SOUTHCENTRAL...CLEAR AND COLD CONDITIONS WILL PERSIST
THROUGH THE WEEKEND. AN UPPER LEVEL TROUGH WILL DROP DOWN OUT OF
THE ARCTIC TONIGHT AND SOUTHCENTRAL FRIDAY BEFORE FORMING A LOW
OVER THE GULF SATURDAY. THIS WILL BRING ANOTHER ROUND OF COLD
ADVECTION IN THE LOW LEVELS...ALTHOUGH NOT NEARLY AS STRONG AS
OCCURRED DURING THE RECENT WIND EVENT. MEANWHILE...THE SURFACE
PRESSURE GRADIENT WILL CONTINUE TO VERY SLOWLY SLACKEN UNTIL
COLDER AIR MOVES OVER THE GULF LATE FRIDAY CAUSING THE PRESSURE
TO DROP OVER THE GULF AND THE GRADIENT OVER SOUTHCENTRAL TO TIGHTEN.
THE LACK OF A STRONG LOW OVER THE GULF OR A REALLY TIGHT PRESSURE
GRADIENT WORKS AGAINST A WIDESPREAD WIND EVENT. THEREFORE...EXPECT
MOST OF THE IMPACT TO BE THROUGH THE TYPICAL MOUNTAIN GAPS. EASTERN
PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND WILL SEE THE STRONGEST DOWNWARD MOTION
ASSOCIATED WITH THE UPPER TROUGH AS WELL AS THE STRONGEST COLD
ADVECTION...SO THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR REACHING HIGH WIND CRITERIA
IN VALDEZ AND THROUGH THE COPPER RIVER DELTA. WILL ISSUE A HIGH
WIND WATCH FOR THESE AREAS WITH THE AFTERNOON PACKAGE. WINDS WILL
DIMINISH OVER THE WEEKEND AS COLD ADVECTION COMES TO AN END AND
THE SURFACE PRESSURE GRADIENT WEAKENS.

BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS...THE COLD FRONT ALONG THE WEST SIDE OF THE
RIDGE WILL RAPIDLY WEAKEN AS IT MOVES OVER TOP OF THE RIDGE TONIGHT
AND TO SOUTHWEST ALASKA FRIDAY. THERE MIGHT BE JUST ENOUGH MOISTURE
LEFT TO PRODUCE SOME SNOW ACROSS THE KUSKOKWIM DELTA...BUT ANYTHING
THAT DOES FALL WILL BE BRIEF AND LIGHT. THE NEXT SYSTEM IN
LINE...CURRENTLY OVER THE NORTHWEST PACIFIC WILL BUILD THE RIDGE
BACK UP A BIT AS IT TRACKS TO EASTERN RUSSIA LATE FRIDAY...BUT ALSO
FORCE THE RIDGE TO BECOME POSITIVELY TILTED. THIS WILL ALLOW THE
NEXT SYSTEM TO TAKE A MORE EASTWARD TRACK AND REALLY FLATTEN OUT
THE RIDGE AS IT CROSSES THE BERING ON SUNDAY.

.LONG TERM FORECAST...MODELS STRUGGLING WITH THE SYSTEM CROSSING
THE BERING SEA THIS WEEKEND AS THEY TRY TO DETERMINE HOW QUICKLY
THE RIDGE WILL FLATTEN OUT. IN ANY CASE THIS SYSTEM WILL AFFECT
SOUTHWEST ALASKA SOMETIME LATE INT THE WEEKEND INTO EARLY NEXT
WEEK. A RIDGE WILL REBUILD BEHIND THE SYSTEM WHICH WILL THEN FORCE
THE UPPER TROUGH TO DIG SOUTHEASTWARD INTO THE GULF. THERE ARE TOO
MANY UNCERTAINTIES IN HOW THIS ALL EVOLVES TO NAIL DOWN ANY DETAILS.
HOWEVER...BASED ON THE GENERAL PATTERN THERE WILL BE A GOOD SHOT
OF SNOW ACROSS ACROSS SOUTHCENTRAL FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER ARCTIC
BLAST...WHICH OF COURSE COULD PRODUCE ANOTHER WIND STORM.

.AER/ALU...WATCH/WARNING SUMMARY
PUBLIC...NONE.
MARINE...STORM WARNING...127 128 176.
         GALE WARNING...121 125 130 132 150 155 160 165 170 175 185.
         HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING...121 126 127 128 129 130 138
                                        140 141 150 160.
FIRE WEATHER...NONE.

SEB DEC 10