High Wind in Central Gulf Coast, Alaska

A moderate frontal system, moving north from the Gulf of Alaska was preceded by moderately strong east winds.Gusts above 60 mph were recorded at Middleton Island from just after 8 pm ADT Wednesday through 2:35 am ADT Thursday. Peak winds reached 66 mph at the site around 1 am ADT Thursday. Frontal passage shifted winds south and southeast with speeds dropping to less than 20 mph. Gusty winds from 40 to 50 mph were reported at other sites around Prince William Sound late Wednesday through early Thursday in advance of the front.Further west in the Cook Inlet and Susitna Valley, locally strong northeast winds were reported. At the Augustine site, wind gusts above 60 mph were recorded between 9 pm ADT Wednesday and 4 am ADT Thursday. Peak winds at the site reached 69 mph between midnight and 1 am ADT Thursday.Wind gusts at the Wasilla Fire Station of 60 mph or higher were reported from just after 1 am ADT Thursday through 8 am ADT Thursday...peaking at 67 mph there between 2:15 am and 2:30 am ADT. Additionally, freezing rain was reported Wednesday, prompting a travel advisory by the Department of Transportation,along the Parks Highway from Chulitna to Denali National Park and also along parts of the Richardson Highway in theCopper River Basin. Vehicles were reported sliding off roads and trucks were advised to 'use chains on all hills'.