High winds forecast to diminish by Saturday

High winds in the Mat-Su Borough are expected to continue throughout the day and into the evening, according to the National Weather Service. It has issued a high-wind warning for the Matanuska Valley — including the communities of Palmer, Sutton, Chickaloon and Wasilla — through 5 p.m.

Gusts to 75 mph are expected Thursday and diminish to 65 mph overnight, according to the National Weather Service, but winds are not expected to diminish significantly until Friday night or Saturday.

Thursday’s forecast calls for winds from the northeast of 35 to 55 mph. And Friday the winds are expected to calm to 20 to 35 mph with gusts to 55 mph. Saturday wind speeds are forecast to be 20 to 35 mph.

Matanuska Electric Association has reported isolated power outages in its service area. More than 1,200 people were without power in the Palmer area for sometime on Tuesday.

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough also issued an air quality advisory for the Matanuska Valley, which continues until the wind subsides, according to a borough press release.

Please call the 24-hour Air Quality Alert System phone number, 352-3878, for daily information on air quality in the eastern Matanuska Valley.

MEA asks customers who are without power to call 746-7697 and report the outage so dispatch can send linemen to make repairs.