Wind Advisory 5, NWS Anchorage, AK

167 
WWAK71 PAFC 202354
NPWAER

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
254 PM AKST Sat Dec 20 2025

AKZ711-211500-
/O.CON.PAFC.HW.W.0019.251221T0300Z-251221T2100Z/
Lower Matanuska Valley-
Including the cities of Palmer, Wasilla, and Big Lake
254 PM AKST Sat Dec 20 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 
NOON AKST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Northeast winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts from 60 to 70 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Lower Matanuska Valley.

* WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to noon AKST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...High winds could move loose debris, damage property, and 
  cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for 
  high profile vehicles. Increased fire weather concerns due to dry 
  conditions and strong winds.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The window for strongest winds is from this 
  evening through early Sunday morning. Winds will diminish through 
  the day Sunday but will remain gusty at times. Dry conditions and 
  strong winds will lead to increased fire weather concerns. Avoid 
  outdoor burning and any activity that will produce a spark.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around 
or damaged by the wind. Prepare for the possibility of widespread 
power outages. Use caution if you must drive.

&&

$$

AKZ731-211500-
/O.CON.PAFC.HW.W.0019.251221T0300Z-251221T2100Z/
Valdez-
Including the cities of Valdez
254 PM AKST Sat Dec 20 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 
NOON AKST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Northeast winds 25 to 45 mph with gusts from 60 to 75 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Valdez.

* WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to noon AKST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and a few 
  power outages may result.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The window for strongest winds is from 
  tonight through early Sunday morning. Winds will slowly diminish 
  through Sunday but will remain gusty.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around 
or damaged by the wind. Prepare for the possibility of widespread 
power outages. Use caution if you must drive.

&&

$$

AKZ732-211500-
/O.CON.PAFC.HW.W.0019.251221T0300Z-251222T0300Z/
Thompson Pass-
Including the cities of Thompson Pass
254 PM AKST Sat Dec 20 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 
PM AKST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Northeast winds 40 to 55 mph with gusts up to 80 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Thompson Pass.

* WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to 6 PM AKST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The window for strongest winds is from 
  tonight through Sunday morning. Winds will diminish through the 
  day Sunday but will remain gusty at times.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around 
or damaged by the wind. Prepare for the possibility of widespread 
power outages. Use caution if you must drive.

&&

$$

AKZ701-211500-
/O.CON.PAFC.WI.Y.0005.251221T0300Z-251221T2100Z/
Anchorage-
Including the cities of Eklutna, Anchorage, and Eagle River
254 PM AKST Sat Dec 20 2025

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON 
AKST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...North winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 40 to 55 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Northwest Anchorage.

* WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to noon AKST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and a few 
  power outages may result.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Strong and gusty winds will pick up quickly 
  this evening into tonight across mainly northern and western parts 
  of the Anchorage area.  Winds will rapidly weaken Sunday morning 
  and fully diminish Sunday afternoon. Dry conditions and strong 
  winds will lead to increased fire weather concerns. Avoid outdoor 
  burning and any activity that will produce a spark.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high 
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

&&

$$

AM

743 
WWAK71 PAFC 211240
NPWAER

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
340 AM AKST Sun Dec 21 2025

AKZ711-212100-
/O.CON.PAFC.HW.W.0019.000000T0000Z-251221T2100Z/
Lower Matanuska Valley-
Including the cities of Big Lake, Palmer, and Wasilla
340 AM AKST Sun Dec 21 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON AKST TODAY...

* WHAT...Northeast winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts from 60 to 70 mph 
  occurring.

* WHERE...Lower Matanuska Valley.

* WHEN...Until noon AKST today.

* IMPACTS...High winds could move loose debris, damage property, and 
  cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for 
  high profile vehicles. Increased fire weather concerns due to dry 
  conditions and strong winds.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The strongest winds are peaking and will 
  steadily begin to weaken later this morning. Winds will continue 
  to diminish through the day but will remain gusty at times. Dry 
  conditions and strong winds will lead to increased fire weather 
  concerns. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that will produce 
  a spark.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around 
or damaged by the wind. Prepare for the possibility of widespread 
power outages. Use caution if you must drive.

&&

$$

AKZ731-212100-
/O.CON.PAFC.HW.W.0019.000000T0000Z-251221T2100Z/
Valdez-
Including the cities of Valdez
340 AM AKST Sun Dec 21 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON AKST TODAY...

* WHAT...Northeast winds 25 to 45 mph with gusts from 60 to 75 mph 
  occurring.

* WHERE...Valdez.

* WHEN...Until noon AKST today.

* IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property, and 
  cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for 
  high profile vehicles.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds have peaked overnight and will slowly 
  diminish throughout the day today, but winds could remain gusty 
  into this evening.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around 
or damaged by the wind. Prepare for the possibility of widespread 
power outages. Use caution if you must drive.

&&

$$

AKZ732-212115-
/O.CON.PAFC.HW.W.0019.000000T0000Z-251222T0300Z/
Thompson Pass-
Including the cities of Thompson Pass
340 AM AKST Sun Dec 21 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST THIS 
EVENING...

* WHAT...Northeast winds 40 to 55 mph with gusts up to 80 mph 
  occurring.

* WHERE...Thompson Pass.

* WHEN...Until 6 PM AKST this evening.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds will slowly diminish through this 
  evening, but winds will remain gusty at times through Monday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around 
or damaged by the wind. Use caution if you must drive.

&&

$$

AKZ701-212100-
/O.CON.PAFC.WI.Y.0005.000000T0000Z-251221T2100Z/
Anchorage-
Including the cities of Eagle River, Anchorage, and Eklutna
340 AM AKST Sun Dec 21 2025

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON AKST TODAY...

* WHAT...North winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 40 to 50 mph 
  occurring.

* WHERE...Northwest Anchorage.

* WHEN...Until noon AKST today.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and a few 
  power outages may result.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Strong winds have already peaked overnight 
  across northern and western parts of the Anchorage area.  Winds 
  will rapidly weaken this morning and fully diminish this 
  afternoon. Dry conditions and strong winds will lead to increased 
  fire weather concerns. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that 
  will produce a spark.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around 
or damaged by the wind. Winds this strong can make driving 
difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

&&

$$

Shriver

994 
WWAK71 PAFC 212105
NPWAER

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
1205 PM AKST Sun Dec 21 2025

AKZ711-220300-
/O.EXP.PAFC.HW.W.0019.000000T0000Z-251221T2100Z/
/O.NEW.PAFC.WI.Y.0006.251221T2105Z-251222T0300Z/
Lower Matanuska Valley-
Including the cities of Palmer, Wasilla, and Big Lake
1205 PM AKST Sun Dec 21 2025

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST THIS EVENING...
...HIGH WIND WARNING HAS EXPIRED...

* WHAT...North winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph.

* WHERE...Lower Matanuska Valley.

* WHEN...Until 6 PM AKST this evening.

* IMPACTS...High winds could move loose debris, damage property, and 
  cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for 
  high profile vehicles. Increased fire weather concerns due to dry 
  conditions and strong winds.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds will slowly diminish through this 
  evening.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high 
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

&&

$$

AKZ731-212215-
/O.EXP.PAFC.HW.W.0019.000000T0000Z-251221T2100Z/
Valdez-
Including the cities of Valdez
1205 PM AKST Sun Dec 21 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING HAS EXPIRED...

Winds have diminished below warning criteria. 

$$

AKZ701-212215-
/O.EXP.PAFC.WI.Y.0005.000000T0000Z-251221T2100Z/
Anchorage-
Including the cities of Eagle River, Eklutna, and Anchorage
1205 PM AKST Sun Dec 21 2025

...WIND ADVISORY HAS EXPIRED...

Winds have dropped below advisory criteria. 

$$

AKZ732-220515-
/O.NEW.PAFC.CW.Y.0008.251222T0000Z-251223T2000Z/
/O.CON.PAFC.HW.W.0019.000000T0000Z-251222T0300Z/
Thompson Pass-
Including the cities of Thompson Pass
1205 PM AKST Sun Dec 21 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKST THIS 
EVENING...
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM AKST TUESDAY...

* WHAT...For the High Wind Warning, north winds 25 to 35 mph with 
  gusts up to 60 mph. For the Cold Weather Advisory, very cold wind 
  chills as low as 45 below expected.

* WHERE...Thompson Pass.

* WHEN...For the High Wind Warning, until 6 PM AKST this evening. 
  For the Cold Weather Advisory, until 11 AM AKST Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile 
  vehicles.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds will slowly diminish through this 
  evening, but winds will remain gusty at times through Monday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around 
or damaged by the wind. Prepare for the possibility of widespread 
power outages. Use caution if you must drive.

Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a 
hat, and gloves.

&&

$$

AKZ741>744-749>751-220515-
/O.NEW.PAFC.CW.Y.0008.251222T0000Z-251223T2000Z/
Northern Copper Valley-Western Copper Valley-Central Copper
Valley-Ernestine-Southern Copper Valley-Tok Cutoff-McCarthy-
Including the cities of McCarthy, Nebesna, 46 Mile, Mentasta
Lake, Paxson, Gakona, Copper Center, Slana, Tolsona, Nelchina,
Tonsina, Kenny Lake, Chitina, Mendeltna, Glennallen, and
Chistochina
1205 PM AKST Sun Dec 21 2025

...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM AKST TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Very cold wind chills as low as 59 below expected.

* WHERE...Copper River Basin.

* WHEN...Until 11 AM AKST Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 60 below zero 
  could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 5 minutes. 
  Frostbite and hypothermia are likely if exposed to these 
  temperatures. Wind chill values can lead to hypothermia with 
  prolonged exposure. Very cold temperatures can lead to hypothermia 
  with prolonged exposure.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a 
hat, and gloves.

&&

$$

Mitchell

Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
343 PM AKST Fri Dec 19 2025

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA
(Days 1 through 3: This afternoon through Monday evening)...

The forecast remains on track with the main update being to
upgrade the High Wind Watches to High Wind Warnings for the
Matanuska Valley and Valdez/Thompson Pass for this weekend.
Therefore, little change to the discussion below.

Key Message:
Winds will increase again this weekend, especially through the
Matanuska Valley, Thompson Pass, and Valdez. Gusty conditions
could also make it into North/West Anchorage.

We are now in the third week of this same cold, dry and windy
pattern which is increasing winds every few days as short waves
drive stronger winds aloft toward the surface. This means that for
the third weekend in a row there will be strong winds in the
Matanuska Valley and Valdez/Thompson Pass where High Wind Watches
have been upgraded to High Wind Warnings for parts of this coming
weekend. The good news for the Matanuska Valley, is that winds do
not appear likely to reach the same magnitude as either of the
past two weekends. At this time, it looks likely that maximum wind
gusts will reach speeds of 60 to 70 mph as opposed to the 90 mph+
that occurred the past two weekends. In addition, the duration
should be shorter with the warning level winds expected from
Saturday evening to Sunday around lunchtime/Noon. Even so, 60 to
70 mph winds are quite strong, so prepare for winds of this
magnitude for this third weekend in a row.

Valdez to Thompson Pass is the other location that is under a High
Wind Warning for this weekend. While the gusty winds have
diminished there somewhat today, this is the reprieve in the high
winds before they increase again Saturday into Sunday.

Another area of interest will be the Copper River Basin for the
potential for a significant drop in temperatures or wind chills
for the early part of next week. For the next two days the ambient
temperature will drop into the 20 to 30 below zero range when the
wind is not blowing and then increase instantly when some wind
mixes out the inversion some. However, the resulting wind chills
will be close to what the ambient temperature was. By Sunday
night, the winds should have diminished as even colder air moves
into the region which may drop temperatures to 40 below which
could even approach 50 below in the colder areas of the Basin for
Monday and Tuesday.

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHWEST ALASKA/BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS
(Days 1 through 3: Today through Sunday)...

An area of high pressure has remained over the southern Bering Sea
for several days, blocking North Pacific systems approaching the
Alaska Mainland from South of the Aleutians. The prevailing wind
field and low track lift northward along the Kamchatka Peninsula
before crossing eastern Russia before crossing the northern
Bering Sea. The next such system will turn north into Chukchi Sea
Saturday afternoon, with a long trailing front that will reach
Alaska's west coast by Sunday morning. Light snow rates and
totals of less than 2 inches are expected to spread across Nunivak
Island and the western Kuskokwim Delta by Sunday afternoon.
Little to no accumulation is expected east of Kongiganak before
the front shears apart. A cooling trend through Sunday afternoon
is expected.

A second system quickly tracks across the Bering Strait Sunday
night and pushes a gale-force front into western Alaska Monday
morning, with snow reaching as far south as the Alaska Peninsula,
tapering off before reaching Dillingham and Pilot Point. Snow
accumulation of an additional 2 to 3 inches expected along coastal
areas through Tuesday morning. Inland areas along the Kuskokwim
River from Bethel to Kalskag are anticipated to receive up to 1
inch of new snow. Blowing snow could reduce visibilities.

Along the AKPen, gusty northwest gap winds of varying intensity
perpetuate through Monday with likely blowing snow and reduced
visibility. Greater snow totals will be possible across high
terrain.

-ER

.LONG TERM FORECAST (Days 4 through 7: Tuesday through
Friday)...

Strong high pressure continues to be situated over the North
Pacific and extend north into the Bering Sea. Influences from weak
low pressure systems may work to keep the Gulf of Alaska
relatively unsettled. There is some potential for high winds
through typical areas, including the Matanuska Valley and the
Valdez area/Thompson Pass into early next workweek with several
waves dropping south across the area. Temperatures remain below
average across Southcentral Alaska, with the coldest area being
the Copper River Basin, where ambient temperatures will hover in
the range of 20 to 40 below zero. Southwest Alaska, however, will
see warmer, somewhat moist air ride up and over the ridge,
bringing increased potential for precipitation. A series of low
pressure systems track up the coast of Far Eastern Russia toward
Western Alaska through mid-week. Precipitation is likely to be
mostly snow, though liquid precipitation is possible along the
coast and is increasingly likely southward along the Alaska
Peninsula. Southcentral Alaska looks to remain mostly dry and
downsloped in northwesterly flow, though chances for some light
snow to make it past the Alaska Range increase for Tuesday night
and Wednesday as low pressure potentially tracks into the Gulf
from Southwest Alaska. By Friday afternoon, troughing continues to
push northward in the Bering and may begin to slowly break the
hold of the strong ridge in place inland.

&&
.AVIATION...

PANC...VFR conditions and light winds will persist through
Saturday afternoon. Northerly winds will increase Saturday evening
remaining gusty into Sunday.

&&