In a high wind warning issued early Monday morning, forecasters warned Anchorage area residents, especially along Turnagain Arm and upper Hillside, to brace for winds up to 60 mph.
The warning supersedes a high wind watch from the previous day.
Shortly before 6 a.m. Monday, winds at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport were calm. But throughout the day winds from the southeast are forecast to increase steadily, reaching their highest intensity late Monday night with sustained speeds of 40 to 60 mph along Turnagain Arm and on the upper Hillside, according to the National Weather Service.
"We are going to have a low pressure system that will form around Kodiak Island and move north, right up Cook inlet, just west of Anchorage -- that's an ideal situation for high winds to develop around Turnagain Arm," NWS forecaster Shaun Baines said.
Gusts up to 85 mph are possible.
The high wind warning, issued shortly before 4:30 a.m. Monday, takes effect at 6 p.m. Monday and remains in effect through 7 a.m. Tuesday.
Although the warning is targeting residents on upper Hillside and Turnagain Arm, Baines said, across town winds will likely range from 25 to 40 mph.
Loose debris and blown down trees could pose a hazard to property and impede travel, the weather service warned.