High Wind Warning Issued for Lower Matanuska Valley; Gusts Up to 75 MPH Expected

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Anchorage, AK, has issued a High Wind Warning (NWS code: HWW) for the Lower Matanuska Valley. The alert remains in effect until 9:00 AM AKST on Saturday, February 21.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the Lower Matanuska Valley region. Impacted areas include the corridor along the Glenn Highway, stretching from Buffalo Soapstone through Palmer to the Glenn-Parks Highway interchange.

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning area are urged to take the following precautions:

• Secure Loose Objects: Fasten or move indoors any items that could be blown away or damaged by high winds.
• Prepare for Outages: Be ready for the possibility of power outages due to wind damage.
• Travel with Caution: Use extreme caution if you must travel, as high winds will make driving difficult.

Expected Conditions

Northeast winds are forecast to sustained speeds of 30 to 40 mph. Gusts are expected to reach between 50 and 65 mph, with occasional gusts peaking as high as 70 to 75 mph.

In addition to the wind force, strong gusts may resuspend existing snow, leading to areas of reduced visibility for motorists. Recent observations at the Palmer Airport already recorded a gust of 71 mph around 5:00 PM on Friday.

Timeline

The High Wind Warning is effective immediately and continues through 9:00 AM AKST Saturday. While the strongest gusts will persist through tomorrow morning, winds are expected to gradually diminish throughout Saturday afternoon and evening.