Alert archive / Alaska / Areal Flood Warnings in 2012

Areal Flood Warning 4, NWS Anchorage, AK

September 15, 2012

NWS Anchorage, AK issued this areal flood warning at Sep 15, 2012, 3:30 PM AKDT. It was in force for 5 days. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Sep 15, 2012, 3:30 PM AKDT (23:30 UTC)
Expired
Sep 20, 2012, 4:00 PM AKDT
In force
5 days
Issued by
NWS Anchorage, AK
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

The nearest sounding before it

Anchorage Iap/Pt. Campbe, (PANC), launched 12:00Z, 11.5 hours before the alert went out and 247 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Anchorage Iap/Pt. Campbe, at 12:00Z on 2012-09-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Anchorage Iap/Pt. Campbe, at 12:00Z on 2012-09-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 168 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1415 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
61 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
168 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
240 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

991 
WGAK48 PAFC 152330
FLWAFC

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
330 PM AKDT SAT SEP 15 2012

AKZ135-171800-
/O.NEW.PAFC.FA.W.0004.120915T2330Z-120917T1800Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
330 PM AKDT SAT SEP 15 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ANCHORAGE HAS ISSUED A

* FLOOD WARNING FOR SOUTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND
  INCLUDING CORDOVA
  EYAK RIVER 
  EYAK LAKE

* UNTIL 1000 AM AKDT MONDAY

* SOME CORDOVA RAINFALL AMOUNTS HAVE ALREADY EXCEEDED 4 INCHES AND 
ADDITIONAL HEAVY RAINFALL IS EXPECTED THIS EVENING THROUGH MONDAY 
MORNING ACROSS SOUTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND. MODELS CONTINUE TO 
SHOW RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES IN 24 HOURS OVER BROAD AREAS 
WITH MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF OVER 9 INCHES.

SMALL STREAMS WILL SEE RAPID RISES TO BANKFULL LEVELS WITH POTENTIAL 
FOR FLOODING. LARGER RIVERS ARE STARTING AT LOW LEVELS AS A RESULT 
OF RECENT COOL TEMPERATURES, BUT LEVELS WILL RISE ON THE LARGER 
RIVERS BY SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING. HIGH RAINFALL INTENSITY MAY 
CAUSE DRAINAGE ISSUES. 

A FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR HAS BEEN REPORTED.
STREAM RISES WILL BE SLOW AND FLASH FLOODING IS NOT EXPECTED.
HOWEVER...ALL INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS
IMMEDIATELY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS WATER COVERED BRIDGES...DIPS...OR LOW WATER
CROSSINGS. NEVER TRY TO CROSS A FLOWING STREAM...EVEN A SMALL ONE...
ON FOOT. IF YOU ENCOUNTER A FLOODED ROADWAY...TURN AROUND...DONT
DROWN.

REMAIN CAUTIOUS WHEN IN LOW-LYING AREAS...AND REPORT ANY FLOODING TO
YOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. THEY WILL RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICE IN ANCHORAGE.

&&

LAT...LON 6053 14554 6050 14555 6053 14578 6057 14573

$$

JM/SL
6 follow-up statements
246 
WGAK88 PAFC 161816
FLSAFC

FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
1016 AM AKDT SUN SEP 16 2012

AKZ135-171800-
/O.CON.PAFC.FA.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120917T1800Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
SOUTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND AK-
1016 AM AKDT SUN SEP 16 2012

...THE FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 AM AKDT MONDAY FOR
SOUTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND...

THIS WARNING INCLUDES CORDOVA...EYAK LAKE...EYAK RIVER

CORDOVA RAINFALL AMOUNTS HAVE EXCEEDED 7 INCHES WITH ADDITIONAL 
MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN EXPECTED THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT.  COMPUTER 
MODELS INDICATING AN ADDITIONAL 5-7 INCHES OF RAIN ARE POSSIBLE OVER 
THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

SMALL STREAMS WILL CONTINUE TO RISE RAPIDLY TODAY. LARGER RIVERS ARE 
STARTING AT LOWER LEVELS DUE TO LOW FREEZING LEVELS LAST WEEK, 
HOWEVER LEVELS WILL RISE SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS.

A FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR HAS BEEN REPORTED.
STREAM RISES WILL BE SLOW AND FLASH FLOODING IS NOT EXPECTED.
HOWEVER...ALL INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS
IMMEDIATELY.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS WATER COVERED BRIDGES...DIPS...OR LOW WATER
CROSSINGS. NEVER TRY TO CROSS A FLOWING STREAM...EVEN A SMALL ONE...
ON FOOT. IF YOU ENCOUNTER A FLOODED ROADWAY...TURN AROUND...DONT
DROWN.

&&

LAT...LON 6053 14554 6050 14555 6053 14578 6057 14573

$$

JMP
401 
WGAK48 PAFC 171802
FLWAFC

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
1002 AM AKDT MON SEP 17 2012

AKZ135-210000-
/O.EXT.PAFC.FA.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120921T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
1002 AM AKDT MON SEP 17 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ANCHORAGE HAS EXTENDED THE

* FLOOD WARNING FOR SOUTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND
  INCLUDING CORDOVA
  EYAK RIVER
  EYAK LAKE

* UNTIL 400 PM AKDT THURSDAY

THE EYAK RIVER IS ABOVE MINOR FLOOD STAGE AND EYAK LAKE IS ABOVE 
MODERATE FLOOD STAGE.

CORDOVA RAINFALL AMOUNTS HAVE EXCEEDED 8 INCHES AT THE CORDOVA 
AIRPORT AND  17 INCHES AT THE CORDOVA BOAT HARBOR OVER THE PAST 
THREE DAYS.  

COMPUTER MODELS INDICATE MODERATE RAIN ON MONDAY FOLLOWED BY HEAVY  
RAIN OF UP TO FOUR INCHES ON TUESDAY.

EXPECTED IMPACTS:
POWER CREEK ROAD HAS BEEN CLOSED AND WATER IS STARTING TO REACH  
HANGERS AT THE AIRPORT.  DUE TO CURRENT HIGH RIVER LEVELS AND 
PREDICTED RAINFALL...FLOODING IS EXPECTED TO BECOME MORE SEVERE 
THROUGH MIDWEEK. 

A FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR HAS BEEN REPORTED.
STREAM RISES WILL BE SLOW AND FLASH FLOODING IS NOT EXPECTED.
HOWEVER...ALL INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS
IMMEDIATELY.

PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS WATER COVERED BRIDGES...DIPS...OR LOW WATER 
CROSSINGS. NEVER TRY TO CROSS A FLOWING STREAM...EVEN A SMALL 
ONE...ON FOOT. IF YOU ENCOUNTER A FLOODED 
ROADWAY...TURNAROUND...DONT DROWN.

REMAIN CAUTIOUS WHEN IN LOW-LYING AREAS...AND REPORT ANY FLOODING TO 
YOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. THEY WILL RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE 
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN ANCHORAGE.


LAT...LON 6053 14554 6050 14555 6053 14578 6057 14573

$$
540 
WGAK88 PAFC 181725
FLSAFC

FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
925 AM AKDT TUE SEP 18 2012

AKZ135-210000-
/O.CON.PAFC.FA.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120921T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
SOUTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND AK-
925 AM AKDT TUE SEP 18 2012

...THE FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM AKDT THURSDAY FOR
SOUTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND...

THIS WARNING INCLUDES CORDOVA...EYAK LAKE...EYAK RIVER.

AS OF TUESDAY MORNING THE EYAK RIVER IS AT BANKFULL STAGE AND EYAK 
LAKE IS AT MINOR FLOOD STAGE.

THE LATEST MODEL GUIDANCE INDICATES RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 4 TO 7 
INCHES WITH SOME SOME AMOUNTS GREATER THAN 9 INCHES ACROSS PORTIONS 
OF THE PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND AREA THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON. THE 
HIGHEST INTENSITY RAINFALL IS FORECAST TO OCCUR ON THURSDAY.

SIGNIFICANT PRECIPITATION HAS FALLEN OVER THE PAST FOUR DAYS CAUSING 
WATER LEVELS IN EYAK LAKE...EYAK RIVER AND SURROUNDING SMALL STREAMS 
TO BE AT OR ABOVE BANKFULL LEVELS.  THE ADDITIONAL PRECIPITATION MAY 
CAUSE RIVERS TO RISE ABOVE THEIR BANKS AND CAUSE MODERATE FLOODING.

POWER CREEK ROAD HAS BEEN CLOSED AND WATER IS STARTING TO REACH 
HANGERS AT THE AIRPORT.  DUE TO CURRENT HIGH RIVER LEVELS AND 
PREDICTED RAINFALL...FLOODING IS EXPECTED TO BECOME MORE SEVERE 
THROUGH MIDWEEK.

A FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR HAS BEEN REPORTED.
STREAM RISES WILL BE SLOW AND FLASH FLOODING IS NOT EXPECTED.
HOWEVER...ALL INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS
IMMEDIATELY.

PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS WATER COVERED BRIDGES...DIPS...OR LOW WATER 
CROSSINGS. NEVER TRY TO CROSS A FLOWING STREAM...EVEN A SMALL 
ONE...ON FOOT. IF YOU ENCOUNTER A FLOODED 
ROADWAY...TURNAROUND...DONT DROWN.

REMAIN CAUTIOUS WHEN IN LOW-LYING AREAS...AND REPORT ANY FLOODING  
TO YOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. THEY WILL RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE 
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN ANCHORAGE.

LAT...LON 6053 14554 6050 14555 6053 14578 6057 14573

$$
173 
WGAK88 PAFC 181755 CCA
FLSAFC

FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
955 AM AKDT TUE SEP 18 2012

AKZ135-210000-
/O.CON.PAFC.FA.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120921T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
SOUTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND AK-
955 AM AKDT TUE SEP 18 2012

CORRECTED TYPO 

...THE FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM AKDT THURSDAY  
FOR SOUTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND...

THIS WARNING INCLUDES CORDOVA...EYAK LAKE...EYAK RIVER.

AS OF TUESDAY MORNING THE EYAK RIVER IS AT BANKFULL STAGE AND EYAK 
LAKE IS AT MINOR FLOOD STAGE.

THE LATEST MODEL GUIDANCE INDICATES RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 4 TO 7 
INCHES WITH SOME SOME AMOUNTS GREATER THAN 9 INCHES ACROSS PORTIONS 
OF THE PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND AREA THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON. THE 
HIGHEST INTENSITY RAINFALL IS FORECAST TO OCCUR ON THURSDAY.

SIGNIFICANT PRECIPITATION HAS FALLEN OVER THE PAST FOUR DAYS CAUSING 
WATER LEVELS IN EYAK LAKE...EYAK RIVER AND SURROUNDING SMALL STREAMS 
TO BE AT OR ABOVE BANKFULL LEVELS.  THE ADDITIONAL PRECIPITATION MAY 
CAUSE RIVERS TO RISE ABOVE THEIR BANKS AND CAUSE MODERATE FLOODING.

POWER CREEK ROAD HAS BEEN CLOSED AND WATER IS STARTING TO REACH 
HANGERS AT THE AIRPORT.  DUE TO CURRENT HIGH RIVER LEVELS AND 
PREDICTED RAINFALL...FLOODING IS EXPECTED TO BECOME MORE SEVERE 
THROUGH MIDWEEK.

A FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR HAS BEEN REPORTED.
STREAM RISES WILL BE SLOW AND FLASH FLOODING IS NOT EXPECTED.
HOWEVER...ALL INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS
IMMEDIATELY.

PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS WATER COVERED BRIDGES...DIPS...OR LOW WATER 
CROSSINGS. NEVER TRY TO CROSS A FLOWING STREAM...EVEN A SMALL 
ONE...ON FOOT. IF YOU ENCOUNTER A FLOODED 
ROADWAY...TURNAROUND...DONT DROWN.

REMAIN CAUTIOUS WHEN IN LOW-LYING AREAS...AND REPORT ANY FLOODING  
TO YOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. THEY WILL RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE 
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN ANCHORAGE.

LAT...LON 6053 14554 6050 14555 6053 14578 6057 14573

$$
736 
WGAK88 PAFC 181757 CCA
FLSAFC

FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
957 AM AKDT TUE SEP 18 2012

AKZ135-210000-
/O.CON.PAFC.FA.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120921T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
SOUTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND AK-
957 AM AKDT TUE SEP 18 2012

CORRECTED TYPO 

...THE FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM AKDT THURSDAY  
FOR SOUTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND...

THIS WARNING INCLUDES CORDOVA...EYAK LAKE...EYAK RIVER.

AS OF TUESDAY MORNING THE EYAK RIVER IS AT BANKFULL STAGE AND EYAK 
LAKE IS AT MINOR FLOOD STAGE.

THE LATEST MODEL GUIDANCE INDICATES RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 4 TO 7 
INCHES WITH SOME AMOUNTS GREATER THAN 9 INCHES ACROSS PORTIONS 
OF THE PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND AREA THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON. THE 
HIGHEST INTENSITY RAINFALL IS FORECAST TO OCCUR ON THURSDAY.

SIGNIFICANT PRECIPITATION HAS FALLEN OVER THE PAST FOUR DAYS CAUSING 
WATER LEVELS IN EYAK LAKE...EYAK RIVER AND SURROUNDING SMALL STREAMS 
TO BE AT OR ABOVE BANKFULL LEVELS.  THE ADDITIONAL PRECIPITATION MAY 
CAUSE RIVERS TO RISE ABOVE THEIR BANKS AND CAUSE MODERATE FLOODING.

POWER CREEK ROAD HAS BEEN CLOSED AND WATER IS STARTING TO REACH 
HANGERS AT THE AIRPORT.  DUE TO CURRENT HIGH RIVER LEVELS AND 
PREDICTED RAINFALL...FLOODING IS EXPECTED TO BECOME MORE SEVERE 
THROUGH MIDWEEK.

A FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR HAS BEEN REPORTED.
STREAM RISES WILL BE SLOW AND FLASH FLOODING IS NOT EXPECTED.
HOWEVER...ALL INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS
IMMEDIATELY.

PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS WATER COVERED BRIDGES...DIPS...OR LOW WATER 
CROSSINGS. NEVER TRY TO CROSS A FLOWING STREAM...EVEN A SMALL 
ONE...ON FOOT. IF YOU ENCOUNTER A FLOODED 
ROADWAY...TURNAROUND...DONT DROWN.

REMAIN CAUTIOUS WHEN IN LOW-LYING AREAS...AND REPORT ANY FLOODING  
TO YOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. THEY WILL RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE 
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN ANCHORAGE.

LAT...LON 6053 14554 6050 14555 6053 14578 6057 14573

$$
716 
WGAK88 PAFC 192239
FLSAFC

FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
239 PM AKDT WED SEP 19 2012

AKZ135-210000-
/O.CON.PAFC.FA.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120921T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
SOUTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND AK-
239 PM AKDT WED SEP 19 2012

...THE FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM AKDT THURSDAY FOR
SOUTHEAST PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND...

THIS WARNING INCLUDES CORDOVA...EYAK LAKE...EYAK RIVER

EYAK RIVER LEVELS REMAIN NEAR BANKFULL AND WILL RISE OVER THE 24 
HOURS  AS PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN MOVE INTO THE CORDOVA AREA. TOTAL 
PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS COULD BE BETWEEN 4 
AND 7 INCHES. 

THE HIGHEST INTENSITY RAINFALL SHOULD OCCUR WEDNESDAY EVENING. 

A FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR HAS BEEN  
REPORTED. STREAM RISES WILL BE SLOW AND FLASH FLOODING IS NOT 
EXPECTED. HOWEVER...ALL INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD TAKE NECESSARY 
PRECAUTIONS IMMEDIATELY. 


$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this areal flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Anchorage, AK wrote its last area forecast discussion before this areal flood warning went out at Sep 15, 5:00 AM AKDT, 10 hours 30 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 15, 5:00 AM AKDT, 10 hours 30 minutes before
SOUTHCENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST ALASKA FORECAST DISCUSSION...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
500 AM AKDT SAT SEP 15 2012

CORRECTED WATCH/WARNING SECTION

.ANALYSIS AND UPPER LEVELS...
AN EXCITING METEOROLOGICAL SITUATION SHAPING UP OVER THE GREAT LAND
THIS MORNING. A NORTHERLY 150 KT JET OVER THE WESTERN ALEUTIANS AND
ATTENDANT POTENT POTENTIAL VORTICITY ANOMALY ARE DIGGING SOUTHWARD
INTO THE NORTH CENTRAL PACIFIC. THEY ARE WELL INTO THE PROCESS OF
PHASING WITH A SHORTWAVE TROUGH ALONG A LOW LEVEL BAROCLINIC ZONE
WHICH IS COMPLETING A TROPICAL CONNECTION TO THE MID-LATITUDES. THE
DEVELOPING HIGH AMPLITUDE PATTERN IS EXHIBITING SATELLITE DERIVED
PRECIPITABLE WATER VALUES IN EXCESS OF 160 PERCENT OF NORMAL AHEAD OF
THE CYCLONE AND 30 PERCENT BEHIND WHICH GIVE AN INDICATION OF THE
RARITY OF THE EVENT. THE HIGH MOISTURE VALUES INDICATE THE DEVELOPING
THREAT OF PROLONGED MODERATE TO HEAVY RAINFALL FOR MANY LOCATIONS
OVER MAINLAND ALASKA IN ADDITION TO THE HIGH WIND THREAT ALREADY IN
PLACE. THE PRESENTATION OF INFRARED SATELLITE AS WELL AS WATER VAPOR
IMAGERY WITH BAROCLINIC LEAF STRUCTURE WITH DIGGING TROUGH BEHIND
SIGNAL THAT RAPID CYCLOGENISIS IS IMMINENT.

CURRENTLY OVER THE SOUTH CENTRAL...ONSHORE FLOW BEHIND A DECAYING
FRONTAL BOUNDARY IS BRINGING STEADY RAIN TO THE NORTH GULF COAST.
DEEP LAYER SOUTHWESTERLY FLOW ALOFT CONTINUES THE MOISTURE
CONNECTION. LOWER FREEZING LEVELS AND COLDER TEMPERATURES ALOFT ARE
KEEPING INSTABILITY OVER THE COOK INLET REGION...KEEPING NUMEROUS
SHOWERS GOING INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS ALONG WITH THE BEGINNING OF
WARM ADVECION/ISENTROPIC LIFT ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEVELOPING TROUGH
OUT WEST. THE WEAKENING BRISTOL BAY LOW COMBINED WITH BUILDING
NORTHERN GULF COAST SURFACE RIDGE IS BEGINNING TO RAMP UP THE WINDS
OVER TURNAGAIN ARM AND HIGHER ELEVATIONS. GLEN ALPS AND UPPER
HILLSIDE LOCATIONS ARE ALREADY GUSTING NEAR 35 MPH EARLY THIS MORNING
AND SHOULD CONTINUE TO INCREASE.

.MODEL DISCUSSION...
GUIDANCE IS IN MUCH BETTER AGREEMENT WITH THE DEVELOPING LOW PRESSURE
SYSTEM. BETTER CONSENSUS EXISTS WITH THE TWO DIFFERENT MODEL CAMPS
CONVERGING ON A SOLUTION. THE EC/GEM HAVE MATCHED THE AMERICAN MODELS
AS FAR AS TROUGH ORIENTATION BECOMING MORE NEGATIVELY TILTED WITH
TIME...AS WELL AS A DEEPER FURTHER WESTWARD SURFACE LOW CENTER WITH
BENT BACK OCCLUSION. THE GFS/NAM HAVE COME INTO AGREEMENT WITH THE
EC/GEM WITH QUICKLY RACING THE SYSTEM INLAND ONCE IT HAS FULLY
MATURED. AS WITH MANY RAPID CYCLOGENESIS EVENTS...GUIDANCE WILL NEVER
FULLY CATCH UP TO OBSERVATIONS...ESPECIALLY IN OBSERVATION DEVOID
AREAS SUCH AS THE BERING SEA AND NORTHERN PACIFIC. WITH SUCH A
DYNAMIC SYNOPTIC SITUATION THE DEEPEST AND FURTHEST WESTWARD GUIDANCE
SHOULD BE PREFERRED...12Z FRIDAY/00Z SATURDAY ECMWF IN THIS
PARTICULAR SITUATION.

.SHORT TERM FORECAST...
SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA...AN ACTIVE WEEKEND IS IN STORE WITH THE
DEVELOPING STRONG LOW PRESSURE OUT WEST. RAIN WILL CONTINUE TO BECOME
MORE WIDESPREAD AS THE SOUTHERLY FLOW BECOMES MORE ESTABLISHED WITH
EMBEDDED DISTURBANCES AHEAD OF THE PUSH OF RELATIVELY WARMER/MOIST
AIR AHEAD OF THE LOW PRESSURE. MORE CONCERNING THAN THE PRECIPITATION
IS THE THREAT FOR VERY STRONG WINDS THROUGH TURNAGAIN ARM AS WELL AS
HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF THE ANCHORAGE BOWL. THE CURRENT SITUATION VARIES
FROM THE PREVIOUS WIND EVENT IN THAT THERE WILL BE A STRONG
DOWN-INLET COMPONENT TO THE FLOW AS THE LOW DEEPENS IN BRISTOL BAY.
THAT WOULD NORMALLY ACT TO KEEP THE HIGHEST WINDS FROM BENDING INTO
SOUTH AND WEST ANCHORAGE. THE CAVEAT TO THIS IS THE STRONG DOWNWARD
VERTICAL MOTION FROM BOTH PRECIPITATION DRAG AND DOWNSLOPING AIR OFF
OF THE CHUGACH...BOTH WILL AID IN POTENTIALLY MIXING HIGHER MOMENTUM
AIR FROM ALOFT TO THE SURFACE. THE WINDS WILL REALLY RAMP UP LATE
THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING FOR THE HILLSIDE AND TURNAGAIN ARM WITH
STRONGER WINDS SPREADING TO EAST ANCHORAGE AND LOWER HILLSIDE
OVERNIGHT INTO SUNDAY. AS THE SURFACE LOW MOVES INTO THE CENTRAL
INTERIOR AND FRONT PASSES OVERHEAD THE STRONGEST WINDS WILL BEND INTO
WEST ANCHORAGE ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

WINDS WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE FOR THE COPPER RIVER BASIN AS SURFACE
RIDGING INCREASES AND NORTHEAST GULF COAST WITH THE APPROACHING
BARRIER JET TONIGHT INTO SUNDAY. THE OTHER THREAT WITH THE DEVELOPING
SYSTEM IS HEAVY RAINFALL ALONG COASTAL PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND AS RAIN
LOOKS TO CONTINUE FOR THE DURATION OF THE EVENT. FLOOD WATCHES ARE
POSTED FOR THESE AREAS ALREADY.

SOUTHWEST ALASKA...LOOK FOR OCCASIONAL SHOWERS TO GIVE WAY TO
WIDESPREAD STEADY RAIN TODAY AS A STRONG LOW PRESSURE DEVELOPS SOUTH
OF THE ALASKAN PENINSULA. RAIN WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE
WEEKEND...ACCOMPANIED BY GUSTY SOUTHERLY WINDS AS THE SURFACE LOW
MOVES ASHORE SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

BERING SEA AND ALEUTIANS...WHILE THE STRONG LOW PRESSURE WILL MAINLY
AFFECT THE FAR EASTERN PORTION OF THE CHAIN AND THE ALASKAN PENINSULA
THE EFFECTS WILL STILL BE FELT OVER THE CENTRAL ALEUTIANS IN THE FORM
OF GUSTY NORTHERLY WINDS AS WELL AS COOLER TEMPERATURES. A FRONT WILL
MOVE FROM WEST TO EAST OVER THE WESTERN ALEUTIANS SATURDAY AFTERNOON
INTO THE EVENING BRINGING PERIODS OF RAIN AND GUSTY SOUTHERLY WINDS.

.LONG TERM FORECAST...
THE EXTENDED PATTERN DOES NOT LOOK TOO FAR OFF FROM WHAT IS CURRENTLY
BEING EXPERIENCED. AN AMPLIFIED PATTERN WITH A LONGWAVE TROUGH OVER
THE BERING AND STRONG RIDGE OVER THE NORTHEASTERN PACIFIC LEAVE THE
MAINLAND UNDER PROLONGED SOUTHERLY FLOW VERY CONDUCIVE TO SEASONABLY
WET FORECAST.

.AER/ALU...WATCH/WARNING SUMMARY
PUBLIC...HIGH WIND WARNING 101 125 135
         FLOOD WATCH 125 131 135
MARINE...HURRICANE FORCE WIND WARNING 120
         STORM 125 130 138 140
         GALE 121 129 132 141 150 155 160
              165 170 171 172 176 179 180 185

FIRE WEATHER...NONE

MTL SEP 12

The office that day

Everything else NWS Anchorage, AK issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 14, 4:00 PM AKDTGale WarningAFC36 hr
Sep 14, 4:00 PM AKDTGale WarningAFC60 hr
Sep 14, 4:00 PM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC12 hr
Sep 14, 4:00 PM AKDTStorm WarningAFC36 hr
Sep 14, 4:00 PM AKDTStorm WarningAFC48 hr
Sep 14, 4:09 PM AKDTHigh Wind WarningAFC48 hr
Sep 15, 4:00 AM AKDTGale WarningAFC36 hr
Sep 15, 4:00 AM AKDTGale WarningAFC5 days
Sep 15, 4:00 AM AKDTGale WarningAFC48 hr
Sep 15, 4:00 AM AKDTHurricane Force Wind WarningAFC36 hr
Sep 15, 4:00 AM AKDTStorm WarningAFC24 hr
Sep 15, 4:00 AM AKDTStorm WarningAFC36 hr
Sep 15, 2:51 PM AKDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAFC23 hr
Sep 15, 3:04 PM AKDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAFC23 hr
Sep 15, 3:12 PM AKDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAFC31 hr
Sep 15, 3:23 PM AKDTAreal Flood WarningAFC43 hr

Nearby

Areal Flood Warnings in Alaska, 2012Every areal flood warning in 2012

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive.