Record highs likely along the Slope, as a ridge strengthens across northeast Alaska
Highs will warm well into the 80s for areas of the Interior this week, with a fire weather watch in place
ANCHORAGE, AK (Alaska’s News Source) - Temperatures are once again heating up across the state, as a ridge of high pressure is set to strengthen in the days ahead. Deadhorse already saw a record high yesterday, where the mercury rose to 75 degrees. This is the warmest day for Deadhorse since last August, when temperatures soared near 80. Expect hot, hazy and smoky conditions to increase for areas north of the Alaska Range through most of this week.
SOUTHCENTRAL:
Overcast skies are with us this morning across Southcentral, although clouds will slowly thin through the day. It’s possible that by late afternoon many areas could be sitting under mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies. The only exception will be the far southern reaches of the Kenai, which may maintain cloud coverage through the day.
While Southcentral won’t be as warm as locations to the north, we will see a slow but gradual warming trend throughout the week. It’s possible we could see some areas of East Anchorage, the Mat-Su and Copper River Basin warm into the 70s. The rest of Southcentral will largely see highs remaining in the 60s.
While we can’t rule out some thunderstorm potential leading up to Wednesday and Thursday, it will largely impact areas of the Copper River Basin and Matanuska Valley. Should the rain hold together, we could see some decaying thunderstorms drift south near Anchorage later this week.
Overall, expect generally quieter weather this week, with winds expected to pick up both today and tomorrow. While not windy, we could see some gusts up to 30 mph across the region.
SOUTHEAST:
Ongoing isolated to scattered showers are falling across Southeast today, with the bulk of the precipitation gripping the central panhandle. Glacier lake outburst flooding began on the Taku River yesterday, but the event has ended, with water levels topping out just below bankfull. Through the rest of the day, we’ll see water levels gradually dropping.
While rain showers remain today, we’ll see a gradual return to drier conditions throughout the week. This comes as a weak ridge tries to build into Southeast. While this will mean generally drier weather, the mostly cloudy to overcast skies will stick around. Temperatures will see slow warming this week, with many locations likely topping out in the mid to upper 60s by the weekend.
INTERIOR:
The fire weather watch in the Interior has now been upgraded to a Red Flag Warning beginning tomorrow morning. The warning goes into effect at 10 a.m. and last through 10 p.m. Wednesday. This encompasses a large portion of the Interior, west through the Yukon-Koyukuk region, where gusty winds and low relative humidity will aide in the rapid ignition, growth and spread of fires.
Starting today, temperatures will begin warming into the 80s, as a ridge strengthens overhead. Even greater warming is expected by week’s end, where highs will top out in the mid to upper 80s. It’s possible we could see a heat advisory issued later this week. Even if this doesn’t occur, be prepared for hot and dry weather.
SLOPE/WESTERN ALASKA:
Coastal fog has gripped areas of the Slope each night, with daily sunshine burning off most of the fog. A new record high was hit at Deadhorse yesterday, with the heat likely to persist through the week.
This record warmth comes as a ridge of high pressure continues to strengthen and shifts south some. It’s possible we could see another record high for Deadhorse today, with the forecast for today seeing highs in the mid to upper 60s. The record high for today is 62, set back in 2015.
While the coast will largely stay on the dry side. The Brooks Range will hold onto isolated to scattered showers and storms throughout the week.
A low skirting the coast of Southwest Alaska is spreading rain across Western and Southwest Alaska. While the rain won’t be as heavy as yesterday, we will see many areas seeing a gradual drying trend into the evening hours. However, some light showers will persist throughout the week.
In addition to the rain, gusty winds remain in the forecast, where winds of 20 to 35 mph will be possible. Some of the strongest winds will build through the Bering Strait and Bering Sea. Expect temperatures this week to slowly warm, as we dry out through the week.
ALEUTIANS:
Heavy rain is shifting to the Eastern Aleutians and Alaska Peninsula this morning, as a brief ridge tries to build into the Central Aleutians. We’ll see some of the heaviest rain today falling through Bristol Bay and the Alaska Peninsula, with the heaviest rain falling along and north of Dillingham. Winds will also be an issue throughout the day, where gusts of 20 to 40 mph will be possible.
The aforementioned ridge will only hold on through tomorrow evening, before another low moving out of the Kamchatka Peninsula builds into the Western Bering, leading to a flattening of the ridge. This will drive in more rain showers for areas of the Western and Central Aleutians.
FIRE WEATHER:
Fire concerns continue to grow this week, as hot and dry conditions build into the Interior. The fire weather watch has been upgraded to a red flag warning, with relative humidity levels lower than 30 percent through most of the Interior. Some of the greatest concern for wildfire potential will exist in locations east of Fairbanks near the border, where relative humidity values may drop into the teens. Low rh values, combined with breezy northeasterly winds tomorrow will lead to growing concerns of wildfire growth and new fires.
OUTLOOK AHEAD:
Temperatures across the state will largely remain on the warmer side, outside of the southern coastline. These locations, while still warm, will likely hold in the 50s and 60s, while inland areas make a run near 70. While the overall outlook continues to favor wetter weather for the state, keep in mind this doesn’t mean everyone will see rain. However, the weather pattern does favor keeping clouds around for most locations, which at times could lead to some cooler afternoons.
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