Weather Alert in Alaska
Flood Advisory issued August 2 at 3:46PM AKDT until August 3 at 6:00PM AKDT by NWS Anchorage AK
AREAS AFFECTED: Lower Matanuska Valley; Sutton / Upper Matanuska Valley
DESCRIPTION: * WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected. * WHERE...Matanuska River. * WHEN...Until 600 PM AKDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...River levels have exceeded those observed in early July, and increased bank erosion expected along the lower Matanuska River. While water levels may rise in small streams and rivers across the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, flooding is not expected west of the lower Matanuska River. Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. Possible isolated landslides in areas of steep terrain primarily between Sutton and Eureka. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 336 PM AKDT, river gauge reports indicate rises in water levels from heavy rain in the advisory area. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly, especially near Matanuska River. Between 1.5 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. - - For Matanuska River at Palmer: At 2:30pm the stage was 28600.0 cfs. Forecast: A crest around 34016.8 cfs is expected around 10:00pm Saturday. Impacts: At 15000.0 cfs: Action Flow - This discharge (flow) level represents the higher end of the typical summertime range, and will likely be reached at least once nearly every year. Localized minor out-of-bank flooding may start to occur along parts of the Glenn highway, especially east of Sutton from milepost 64 to 66. At 30000.0 cfs: Minor Flood Flow - This discharge (flow) level has a roughly 20 percent chance of being reached in any given year. Additional vulnerable locations near the active river channel may experience some flooding at this level west of the Old Glenn Highway in the Butte and near Sutton from Milepost 64 to 66. Residents are advised that for the past several years at both of these locations, the main channel of the river has been shifting closer to the bank. At 35000.0 cfs: Moderate Flood Flow - This discharge (flow) level has a roughly 10 percent chance of being reached in any given year. Flooding near vulnerable locations along the active river channel may become more significant and widespread. This level was reached during the flooding in 2012. - For Moose Creek near Palmer: At 2:45pm the stage was 16.0 feet. Flood Stage is 17.5 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood - If you live near or along the Matanuska River near Palmer or Butte stay alert and be prepared to take action.
INSTRUCTION: Stay tuned to further developments by listening to your local radio, television, or NOAA Weather Radio for further information.
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Weather Topic: What are Mammatus Clouds?
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A mammatus cloud is a cloud with a unique feature which resembles
a web of pouches hanging along the base of the cloud.
In the United States, mammatus clouds tend to form in the warmer months, commonly
in the Midwest and eastern regions.
While they usually form at the bottom of a cumulonimbis cloud, they can also form
under altostratus, altocumulus, stratocumulus, and cirrus clouds. Mammatus clouds
warn that severe weather is close.
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Weather Topic: What is Precipitation?
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Precipitation can refer to many different forms of water that
may fall from clouds. Precipitation occurs after a cloud has become saturated to
the point where its water particles are more dense than the air below the cloud.
In most cases, precipitation will reach the ground, but it is not uncommon for
precipitation to evaporate before it reaches the earth's surface.
When precipitation evaporates before it contacts the ground it is called Virga.
Graupel, hail, sleet, rain, drizzle, and snow are forms of precipitation, but fog
and mist are not considered precipitation because the water vapor which
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