textproduct: Anchorage

SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA (Days 1 through 3)

The forecast remains on track as the weather across Mainland Southcentral is dominated by a warm upper-level ridge of high pressure anchored over the eastern Gulf and extending northward over the region. Weak shortwave are rounding the top of the ridge, allowing for occasional cloud cover to spill across Southcentral through the end of the week. Temperatures, especially those in valley locations, will be highly dependent on the timing and extent of cloud cover. Aloft, temperatures will remain quite warm, leading to a stagnant inversion across the region through the next couple of days.

This inversion, coupled with periodic clear skies and cooler temperatures near the surface, will also allow for the formation of patchy fog across parts of coastal Cook Inlet and the Copper River Valley.

Influence from the ridge begins to wane by the start of the weekend as a North Pacific low tracks north toward the Alaska Peninsula and its attendant front northward across the western Gulf.

-TM

AVIATION

PANC...Light and variable winds will prevail through the TAF period. With narrow dewpoint depressions near the surface as well as the light winds, the setup remains conducive for low stratus and fog formation. With ridging and a strong inversion overhead, this will be the case over the next few days.

Dense fog has formed this morning in Turnagain Arm and has moved over the terminal. Expect this fog to persist through the mid to late morning hours before conditions begin to improve. The pattern, as stated above, will be conducive for fog to return late tonight into Thursday morning.