ANCHORAGE, AK (Alaskaโs News Source) – Monday was one of the more active days for thunderstorms across the state, with frequent lightning in Southwest Alaska. Since Saturday, more than 10,000 lightning strikes have occurred in the state, with more storms expected today. With dry fuels and hot weather, wildfires could be a concern for areas out west, where red flag warnings and fire weather watches have been posted.
SOUTHCENTRAL:
Nearly identical conditions to Monday are expected across Southcentral today, with thunderstorms likely this afternoon in the Susitna Valley. Temperatures wonโt be as warm in some areas as cloud cover moves in from the east, but weโll still warm into the 60s and lower 70s. The only exception will be coastal areas, particularly through Prince William Sound, where rain and mostly cloudy skies will keep temperatures in the 50s.
Any storms that fire in the valley today will bring the potential for frequent lightning, heavy rain, small hail and gusty winds. Storms shouldnโt be as scattered as yesterday, but weโll still see activity into the afternoon and early evening hours. Overnight into Tuesday, more rain is set to build into the rest of Southcentral. A low currently in the Bering Sea will move east overnight into the Gulf of Alaska, driving in more moisture for the region. While the rain doesnโt look widespread for Southcentral, the heaviest activity does look to build into Prince William Sound, southern parts of the Kenai and into the Copper River Basin. These locations will see up to, if not more than, half an inch of rain. The rest of Southcentral will largely see less than a quarter of an inch of rain, although slightly higher amounts will be possible in the valley.
Beyond Wednesday, things dry out for many areas. Weโll see temperatures holding in the upper 60s before slowly warming by Friday and Saturday. An early heads up that this weekend into early next week looks to be a wet one. Too early to tell how much rain…