High wind watch warns of 65 mph gusts in the Alaska Range this weekend

The National Weather Service in Fairbanks issued a High Wind Watch at 1:37 pm Tuesday for the Northern Denali Borough and the Eastern Alaska Range north of Trims Camp. Forecasters expect southeast winds of 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 65 mph possible from 4 pm Friday, Oct. 9, to 4 am Sunday, Oct. 11.

Damaging winds could blow down trees and make travel difficult, especially for high profile vehicles, on Parks Highway mileposts 237 to 288 and Richardson Highway mileposts 224 to 259.

"Gusty south winds develop through the AK Range Friday night, potentially upwards of 60-70 mph on Saturday," forecaster Spann wrote, singling out Isabel Pass and Windy Pass for downslope winds.

The same Bering Sea front is bringing high wind watches, high surf and coastal flood advisories to Alaska's west coast. Spann wrote that the system will reach the interior as a weakened, glancing blow. Forecasts for the Eastern Alaska Range also call for blowing snow from Friday afternoon into Sunday morning.

This is the fourth high wind watch issued for both zones this year. August's watch grew into a warning. September's became an advisory. A watch means strong winds are possible, not certain.