Wind advisories cover Interior Alaska Saturday, with 60 mph gusts in Northern Denali Borough

Wind advisories are in effect across Interior Alaska Saturday, with the National Weather Service in Fairbanks issuing alerts covering areas from the Northern Denali Borough to the western river valleys.

The Northern Denali Borough faces the strongest conditions. Southwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph are expected from 10 AM to 10 PM AKDT. Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects, and tree limbs could come down with a few power outages possible.

The Fairbanks Metro Area, Goldstream Valley, Nenana Hills, and Nenana are under a separate advisory for gusts up to 40 mph, running from 1 PM to 10 PM AKDT. NWS Fairbanks warns that "recent rainfall has loosened soil and root systems, which could lead to downed trees and a few power outages" across these areas.

The Eastern Alaska Range north of Trims Camp is under advisory for gusts up to 50 mph through 7 PM AKDT, with recent rainfall also cited as a factor increasing the risk of downed trees. The Lower Yukon and Innoko Valleys and the Upper Kuskokwim Valley face gusts up to 40 mph, with that advisory running until 1 AM AKDT Sunday.

A heat advisory is also in effect for the Yukon Flats until 11 PM AKDT Saturday, with temperatures expected to reach as high as 85 degrees. The warmest readings will be away from the Yukon River. People not accustomed to these temperatures may experience heat-related illness. The National Weather Service advises drinking plenty of fluids and checking on elderly and vulnerable neighbors.

Driving Conditions and Travel Risks

Across all wind advisory zones, NWS Fairbanks warns that "winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution."

What to Do

NWS Fairbanks advises securing loose outdoor objects. The agency's point forecast for Fairbanks International Airport notes winds could gust as high as 40 mph, consistent with the metro advisory. All wind advisories expire by 10 PM AKDT Saturday except the western valleys advisory, which runs into early Sunday morning.