Sterling, AK Warnings, Watches and Advisories

Special Weather Statement issued September 22 at 2:18PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

We are currently tracking a low that is expected to move through the southern Bering Sea Thursday through Saturday and which could approach the coast of the Yukon Delta. While the most likely storm track south of our area would result in only modest rises in above normal high water for the Yukon Delta, a further north track could result in high surf potential. As of right now, the southern portion of the Yukon Delta coast could see water levels rise to around 1 to 3 feet above the mean high water line, with rises more likely to be on the lower side of that range. We will continue to monitor this system closely.

High Wind Watch issued September 22 at 2:08PM AKDT until September 26 at 1:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 to 70 mph possible. * WHERE...Eastern Alaska Range North of Trims Camp and Windy Pass. * WHEN...From Thursday evening through Saturday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Strong winds could blow around unsecured objects. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

Coastal Flood Watch issued September 22 at 1:36PM AKDT until September 26 at 4:00AM AKDT by NWS Anchorage AK

* WHAT...Water levels on average of 1 to 2 feet above the normal highest tide line. Southeast winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected Thursday. South winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 50 mph expected Friday. * WHERE...Kuskokwim Delta Coast including Kwigillingok and Kipnuk. * WHEN...From 4 AM Thursday to 4 AM Saturday. * IMPACTS...Coastal flooding of low lying areas and erosion are possible. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...There will be multiple peaks in water levels for the Kuskokwim Delta Thursday morning through Saturday morning coinciding with high tide cycles and strong southerly winds. Southeast winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts to 60 mph Thursday afternoon will diminish early Friday until the low pressure system moves west of the coast by Friday afternoon. Then, winds will become southerly at 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 50 mph by Friday afternoon. Winds gradually weaken but remain southerly through Saturday. For Kwigillingok, water levels reach 1 to 2 feet above the normal highest tide line on Thursday, coinciding with the passage of a frontal system. Water levels could reach up to 4 feet in a worst case scenario. For Kipnuk, the highest water levels of 1 to 2 feet above the normal highest tide line are expected on Friday as a low pressure system moves west of the coast and winds become southerly. Water levels could reach 2 to 3 feet in a worst case scenario. For more information regarding potential local flood impacts, please reference maps.dggs.alaska.gov/akfit/

High Wind Warning issued September 22 at 1:03PM AKDT until September 24 at 10:00PM AKDT by NWS Anchorage AK

* WHAT...West winds 45 to 65 mph with gusts up to 80 mph expected. * WHERE...Atka and Adak. * WHEN...From 7 AM to 10 PM AKDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property, and cause power outages. Travel will be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Very strong westerly winds will initiate Thursday morning due to a deep low pressure system in the southern Bering Sea. Favored East-West channels could promote locally higher gusts. Strongest winds are expected from about noon to 3pm AKDT. Winds to steadily diminish through Thursday night.

Wind Advisory issued September 22 at 1:03PM AKDT until September 25 at 1:00AM AKDT by NWS Anchorage AK

* WHAT...East winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Kuskokwim Delta Coast and Nunivak Island and Western Capes. * WHEN...From 7 AM Thursday to 1 AM AKDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and a few power outages may result. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A strong front moving inland from the eastern Bering will bring gusty southeasterly winds to the Kuskokwim Delta coast and the Western Capes beginning Thursday morning. Winds are expected to peak around noon Thursday, then steadily diminish through Thursday evening.

Flood Watch issued September 22 at 12:43PM AKDT until September 26 at 1:00PM AKDT by NWS Anchorage AK

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE...Interior Kuskokwim Delta, including Kwethluk, Kasigluk, Bethel, Napaskiak, Napakiak, Oscarville, and other nearby villages. * WHEN...Through Saturday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Excessive rain in combination of persistent high water levels and storm surge may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Low-water crossings may be flooded. Area creeks and streams are running high and could flood with more heavy rain. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - A strong storm projected to move into the eastern Bering Sea will bring heavy rainfall and storm surge to the area. The Kuskokwim River is currently running high, with statistics showing the river is already above the 90th percentile in flow for this time of year. 1 to 2 inches of rainfall across the Kilbuck Mountains, as well as across the lower Kuskokwim, is likely to exacerbate high water levels for the Kwethluk River, Johnson River / tundra villages, as well as other smaller tributaries and sloughs of the Kuskokwim. Confidence is moderate-to-high that flooding of low-lying areas will occur for Kwethluk and Kasigluk, where high-water was reported last week. Confidence is lower for flooding elsewhere and will be dependent on the rainfall amount and degree of compounding effects from coastal surge and tide cycle. - Http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

When a severe thunderstorm warning is issued, the storm may produce damaging winds, large hail, dangerous lightning, and heavy rain. In some cases, heavy rainfall produced by a severe storm can also lead to flash flooding. Do not drive vehicles through flooded areas. The water depth or fast flowing water/mud/debris from a flash flood will make road conditions unsafe. Do not rely soley on data presented here or other third-party websites - always check your official national and local weather service agency website, socials, radio and/or TV stations for making critical decisions related to weather events.

Please carefully read each posted Warning and Alert as it relates to the area(s) being affected. We may provide a wider range of issued severe weather warnings for surrounding cities and counties, so some alerts may not directly impact this location. This is done to help with preparing for severe weather that may overlap or be heading towards Sterling.

Use the Radar Maps link provided to understand the trajectory of a storm.