Anchorage, Alaska – Wind gusts up to 70 mph could slam coastal communities along Prince William Sound by tonight, threatening power outages and dangerous wind chills heading into Friday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Anchorage, a Wind Advisory remains in effect until 6 p.m. AKST Friday for Seward, Whittier, and surrounding areas in the Southern Kenai Mountains and western Prince William Sound. North to west winds will increase to 30 to 45 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph and isolated gusts reaching 70 mph overnight. Wind chills are expected to drop between zero and 15 below zero by Friday morning.
In Seward and along the Seward Highway, crosswinds could make travel hazardous for high-profile vehicles, especially near Turnagain Pass and exposed coastal stretches. In Whittier and Chenega, unsecured objects may be blown around, and scattered power outages are possible during peak gusts Thursday night into early Friday.
Valdez faces a separate advisory beginning 1 a.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Saturday, where north to east winds of 30 to 45 mph could gust as high as 75 mph. The strongest winds are expected during the day Friday, with another potential surge Friday night. Wind chills in Valdez could fall to 15 below zero Friday night.
Residents should secure loose outdoor items, limit unnecessary travel during peak winds, and dress in layered, wind-resistant clothing to prevent frostbite. Advisories remain in effect through Friday evening for Seward and Whittier and into early Saturday for Valdez, with conditions gradually easing afterward.
