It is almost a weekend, and Independence Day arrives on Wednesday. Southcentral Alaska is expected to have sunny skies and the year’s warmest days so far, the National Weather Service says.
Starting Monday, the weather should become downright “pleasant” for Alaskans who like their summers warm, with the trend possibly extending into next weekend, said Samuel Shea, an NWS meteorologist.
Temperatures in the upper 70s could arrive Tuesday across Anchorage, he said. Parts of the region, such as the Susitna Valley heading toward Willow and Talkeetna, should even be flirting with temperatures in the 80s.
The warm, dry weather will be a “very dramatic change,” from the relatively cooler, wetter weather in past weeks. Forecasts call for thunderstorms in areas north of Anchorage on Sunday.
“We’re looking at Tuesday as being the hottest day of the year potentially,” he said.
A low-pressure system that’s dominated the region should be replaced by a high-pressure system with sunny weather, he said.
Accurate forecasts in Alaska beyond four days can be iffy, but signs point to relatively little chance of showers next week in the region, he said.
“We may get some clouds popping up in the mountains, maybe a (slight) shower here and there, but the chances are incredibly low,” he said.
Check out the upcoming weather forecast:
| Today | Cloudy with isolated rain showers. Highs in the 60s. Variable wind to 10 mph. |
| Tonight | Cloudy with isolated rain showers. Lows in the upper 40s to mid-50s. South wind 15 mph. |
| Saturday | Cloudy with isolated rain showers. Highs in the lower to mid-60s. Variable wind to 10 mph. Along turn again arm and higher elevations…south wind 15 mph. |
| Saturday Night | Mostly cloudy with isolated rain showers. Lows in the upper 40s to mid-50s. Variable wind to 10 mph. |
| Sunday | Mostly cloudy in the morning, then partly cloudy with a slight chance of rain showers in the afternoon. Highs in the mid-60s to lower 70s. Variable wind to 10 mph. |
| Sunday Night | Partly cloudy with a slight chance of rain showers. Lows 45 to 55. |
| Monday Through Tuesday Night | Mostly clear. Highs in the 70s. Lows in the 50s. |
| Independence Day Through Thursday | Partly cloudy. Highs in the 70s. Lows in the 50s. |
