High wind warning calls for gusts up to 85 mph in Isabel Pass through Saturday

The National Weather Service in Fairbanks issued a High Wind Warning Thursday afternoon for the Eastern Alaska Range north of Trims Camp. It calls for south winds of 40 to 50 mph and gusts up to 85 mph in Isabel Pass until 7 am Saturday. The remnants of ex-Typhoon Champi are driving the storm, according to the agency's Thursday afternoon forecast discussion.

The weather service said the winds could blow around unsecured objects, bring down tree limbs, cause a few power outages and make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. Forecasters expected the strongest winds late Thursday night into Friday morning. The warning tells people to stay on lower floors, avoid windows, watch for falling debris and use caution if they must drive.

On the Parks Highway side, a High Wind Warning for Windy Pass in the Northern Denali Borough called for southeast winds of 30 to 45 mph with gusts up to 70 mph until 5 am Friday. Forecasters said Thursday afternoon that Windy Pass was already gusting to 67 mph and Isabel Pass to 64 mph, with gusts over 70 mph likely Thursday night and Friday before easing Friday night.

South of the passes, a Winter Weather Advisory for the Southern Denali Borough runs until midnight Friday night. It calls for 4 to 8 inches of snow, most between mileposts 215 and 225 on the Parks Highway, with gusts up to 30 mph that could blow snow and cut visibility. Forecasters expect 6 to 12 inches on the Richardson Highway side of the range, with more at higher elevations.

The passes have seen several rounds of wind this month. Earlier this week, a Wind Advisory for both passes called for gusts to 65 mph through Thursday morning.

On the West Coast, forecasters expect high surf near Hooper Bay through Friday, with water 2.5 to 3.5 feet above the normal high tide line. Alaska News reported Oct. 27 that Champi's remnants were then forecast to pass well south, easing the hit to the coast.

Another Bering Sea storm is expected early next week, but forecasters said models now favor a more southerly track, so pass winds aren't expected to be as strong as earlier forecasts showed. The weather service tells travelers to slow down and check 511.alaska.gov or call 511 for road conditions.