Weather Alert in Alaska
Hydrologic Outlook issued August 27 at 2:38PM AKDT by NWS Anchorage AK
AREAS AFFECTED: Anchorage; Anchorage Hillside / Eagle River; East Turnagain Arm; Portage; Lower Matanuska Valley; Hatcher Pass; Sutton / Upper Matanuska Valley; Eureka / Tahneta Pass; Southern Kachemak Bay; SW Kenai Peninsula; NW Kenai Peninsula; Skilak Lake; Southern Kenai Mtns; Interior Kenai Peninsula; Turnagain Pass; West Prince William Sound & Whittier; Tyonek; Valdez; Thompson Pass; Cordova; Western Susitna Valley; Southern Susitna Valley; Central Susitna Valley; Northern Susitna Valley
DESCRIPTION: ESFAFC Rainfall * Eastern Kenai Peninsula and Prince William Sound: 2 to 5 inches with locally higher amounts in higher terrain. * Mat-Su Valley: 1.5 to 4 inches with locally higher amounts. The highest rainfall totals are likely to be across the northern Susitna Valley. * Western Kenai Peninsula and Anchorage: 1 to 2 inches of rainfall with the heaviest rainfall occuring adjacent to Cook Inlet. Downsloping at times may result in localized lower amounts immediately west of the mountains. Hydrologic Concerns * Expect sharp rises on many small streams and rivers. Many smaller streams will crest Thursday night into Friday while larger rivers or downstream points may crest Friday and Saturday. Higher than normal water levels may continue through Labor Day Weekend into next week. * Many lower locations along rivers such as gravel bars and other spots popular for camping and recreating are likely to become inundated with water. * Heavy rain may result in localized ponding in low-lying areas and locations with poor drainage. Confidence and Next Steps * Confidence is high that a multi-day heavy rainfall event will occur across Southcentral Alaska, with the northern Susitna Valley and Prince William Sound receiving the heaviest rainfall. Confidence is medium regarding rainfall totals and placement of heaviest rainfall. If forecast rainfall totals hold or increase, flood watches may be needed for portions of the Kenai Peninsula, Mat-Su Valley, or elsewhere. * Residents along area streams as well as river users and recreationists should anticipate higher than normal water levels and are advised to monitor weather and river forecasts. * Reports on river conditions may be sent to the river forecast center by calling 1-800-847-1739.
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Weather Topic: What is Precipitation?
Home - Education - Precipitation - Precipitation
Next Topic: Rain
Precipitation can refer to many different forms of water that
may fall from clouds. Precipitation occurs after a cloud has become saturated to
the point where its water particles are more dense than the air below the cloud.
In most cases, precipitation will reach the ground, but it is not uncommon for
precipitation to evaporate before it reaches the earth's surface.
When precipitation evaporates before it contacts the ground it is called Virga.
Graupel, hail, sleet, rain, drizzle, and snow are forms of precipitation, but fog
and mist are not considered precipitation because the water vapor which
constitutes them isn't dense enough to fall to the ground.
Next Topic: Rain
Weather Topic: What are Shelf Clouds?
Home - Education - Cloud Types - Shelf Clouds
Next Topic: Sleet
A shelf cloud is similar to a wall cloud, but forms at the front
of a storm cloud, instead of at the rear, where wall clouds form.
A shelf cloud is caused by a series of events set into motion by the advancing
storm; first, cool air settles along the ground where precipitation has just fallen.
As the cool air is brought in, the warmer air is displaced, and rises above it,
because it is less dense. When the warmer air reaches the bottom of the storm cloud,
it begins to cool again, and the resulting condensation is a visible shelf cloud.
Next Topic: Sleet
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