Weather Alert in Alaska

Recent Locations: Skiatook, OK   Leechburg, PA   Mekoryuk, AK  

Extreme Cold Watch issued February 24 at 5:31AM AKST until February 26 at 6:00PM AKST by NWS Anchorage AK

AREAS AFFECTED: Sutton / Upper Matanuska Valley; Eureka / Tahneta Pass; West Prince William Sound & Whittier; Northern Copper Valley; Western Copper Valley; Central Copper Valley; Ernestine; Northern Susitna Valley; Southern Copper Valley; Tok Cutoff; McCarthy

DESCRIPTION: * WHAT...Dangerously cold wind chills as low as 20 below possible for areas along the coast, including Whittier. Dangerously cold wind chills as low as 40 below to 50 below possible for Copper River Basin, northern Susitna Valley, and Upper Matanuska Valley. * WHERE...Copper River Basin, Sutton, Upper Matanuska Valley, Eureka, Tahneta Pass, West Prince William Sound & Whittier, and Northern Susitna Valley. * WHEN...From Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon. * IMPACTS...For areas along the coast, dangerously cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 20 minutes. For interior valleys, wind chills as low as 50 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 5 minutes. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Northerly winds will rapidly strengthen Tuesday afternoon and evening, then peak Tuesday night through Wednesday. Winds will then begin to slowly diminish Wednesday night through Thursday. Wind chills as low as 20 to 50 below zero overnight Wednesday could result in hypothermia or frostbite if precautions are not taken.

INSTRUCTION: An extreme cold watch means that a period of very cold temperatures are possible. Wear protective clothing such as a hat, face mask, and heavy gloves or mittens if you have plans to be outdoors. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.

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Weather Topic: What is Sleet?

Home - Education - Precipitation - Sleet

Sleet Next Topic: Snow

Sleet is a form of precipitation in which small ice pellets are the primary components. These ice pellets are smaller and more translucent than hailstones, and harder than graupel. Sleet is caused by specific atmospheric conditions and therefore typically doesn't last for extended periods of time.

The condition which leads to sleet formation requires a warmer body of air to be wedged in between two sub-freezing bodies of air. When snow falls through a warmer layer of air it melts, and as it falls through the next sub-freezing body of air it freezes again, forming ice pellets known as sleet. In some cases, water droplets don't have time to freeze before reaching the surface and the result is freezing rain.

Next Topic: Snow

Weather Topic: What are Stratocumulus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Stratocumulus Clouds

Stratocumulus Clouds Next Topic: Stratus Clouds

Stratocumulus clouds are similar to altocumulus clouds in their fluffy appearance, but have a slightly darker shade due to their additional mass.

A good way to distinguish the two cloud types is to hold your hand out and measure the size of an individual cloud; if it is the size of your thumb it is generally an altocumulus cloud, if it is the size of your hand it is generally a stratocumulus cloud.

It is uncommon for stratocumulus clouds to produce precipitation, but if they do it is usually a light rain or snow.

Next Topic: Stratus Clouds

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