Wildfire — Anchorage Muni To Bird Creek, Alaska

2022-05-20 to 2022-05-22 · Anchorage Muni To Bird Creek, Alaska

Event narrative

Hot temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s, low min RH values, as well as windy conditions occurred between May 20th-22nd. This resulted in Red Flag Warning conditions for this time frame. At the time we were still in the pre-greenup conditions phase meaning temperatures greater than or equal to 65 degrees, min RH less than 25%, and sustained winds greater than or equal to 15 mph, RAWS sites greater than or equal to 11 mph. Conditions were met at PANC- Ted Stevens International Airport for 3 or more hours, Palmer Airport in the Matanuska Valley, Kenai and Soldotna on the Kenai Peninsula.

Wider weather episode

A strong upper level ridge of high pressure developed over much of Southcentral Alaska for May 20-22nd resulting in hot, dry, and windy conditions.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1045580. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.