textproduct: Anchorage

SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA (Days 1 through 3)

An upper level trough currently centered near McGrath will move slowly north into the Interior today, continuing the active and wet pattern that we've seen the majority of this week. Some instability will bring showers to Southcentral today as it lifts north, with steadier rain out east over far eastern the Copper Valley. Some clearing is expected overnight and into Saturday morning, particularly out east, with subsidence behind the trough lifting north.

For the weekend, a deep upper low currently near the Pribilof Islands will track over the Alaska Peninsula, but in doing so will greatly amplify the pattern. Generally speaking the upper level trough and focus of most of the moisture has shifted slightly to the west for Saturday with most of the moisture focused on the Susitna Valley. On Sunday the trough will move slightly east, bringing an atmospheric river into Southcentral. The moisture will focus primarily on the Prince William Sound and Susitna Valley, but shortwaves moving through the flow will bring bouts of rain to the western Kenai, Anchorage and Mat Valley.

AVIATION

PANC...An upper level wave will continue to progress north today, bringing showers through most of the daytime period. Cigs and vis should stay VFR but MVFR is possible during periods of rain this afternoon. Light northerlies will transition to southerly around midday.