textproduct: Anchorage

SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA (Days 1 through 3)

Chance for rain/snow returns today as a frontal boundary over Southwest Alaska makes its way into Southcentral. Maintaining generally weak flow aloft, areas that are typically sheltered by downsloping wind effects will not be as protected with this system. However, the moisture content and energy associated with this system is unimpressive, leading to a light round of rain/snow mix late this morning for Mat/Su, Anchorage, and Western Kenai. This will transition to a plain rain by the afternoon and moving out of the area, bringing an end to the precipitation by the late afternoon.

Saturday will see mostly drier conditions through the morning and early afternoon ahead of a second trough. Kodiak Island and Western Susitna will be the first locations to see precipitation late Saturday afternoon. As the upper trough progresses, it develops a surface low in the northern Gulf that will bring more widespread precipitation to Mainland Southcentral from Saturday evening into early Sunday morning. Conditions are expected to be slightly cooler, meaning higher chances for light snow Saturday evening into the overnight hours. Transitions to rain/snow or all rain are expected during the daytime hours Sunday.

KM/CL

AVIATION

PANC...VFR conditions still on track. Friday afternoon, a brief round of snow and rain showers will reduce visibility and ceiling to MVFR conditions. Rain and snow will clear out from the terminal by this evening, but lingering low stratus in MVFR range is possible through tonight.