Weather service warns of gusts up to 75 mph on Anchorage and Eagle River hillsides

The National Weather Service issued a High Wind Warning for the Anchorage and Eagle River Hillsides on Thursday morning. Forecasters expect southeast winds of 30 to 45 mph with gusts of 60 to 75 mph from 3 pm Thursday to 11 am Friday.

The warning says the winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. It also says travel will be difficult.

The warning covers areas mainly above 1,000 feet, in a forecast zone the weather service lists as including Indian, the Anchorage Hillside and Upper Eagle River. Bear Valley, Potter Creek and Rabbit Creek will likely see the strongest gusts, the weather service said.

The weather service said winds would begin increasing early Thursday afternoon. The strongest winds are expected from about 6 pm Thursday to about 6 am Friday.

The weather service urged people to secure loose objects that could blow around or be damaged by the wind. It also urged people to prepare for power outages and use caution if they must travel.

The warning replaces a wind advisory issued Wednesday afternoon for the same hillside areas. That advisory called for winds of 25 to 40 mph with gusts of 50 to 60 mph, with the strongest winds late Thursday afternoon and early evening. It also warned that drivers of high-profile vehicles could have trouble.

The new forecast is stronger than recent wind events in the area. In August, an advisory for the Anchorage Hillside and Eagle River called for gusts up to 65 mph, Alaska News reported Aug. 16.

The weather service also issued a separate high wind warning Thursday for another Anchorage forecast area. It describes a second round of strong northwesterly gusts arriving late Thursday night and continuing through Friday afternoon.