‘Rare September thunderstorm’ brews after fall’s first big windstorm hits Southcentral

Anchorage's first windstorm of the season fell short of causing major property damage, but residents may see a rare September thunderstorm Monday afternoon, according to a meteorologist.

By midmorning Monday, there were no reports of damage or downed trees or power lines, said Patrick Doll, a National Weather Service meteorologist.

But strong winds did hit the area, Doll said. Gusts peaked at 76 mph at McHugh Creek on Turnagain Arm, he said. An observer in the Upper DeArmoun Road area reported a few gusts of 77 mph, Doll said.

"I'm surprised we haven't gotten (reports of) tree limbs down," Doll said.

By 2 p.m., wind gusts were beginning to calm in some parts of Anchorage, according to Doll. Knik Arm and West Anchorage would still likely see some big gusts, he said.

Lightning strikes seen Monday in Cook Inlet and on the Kenai Peninsula were moving north, Doll said, heading toward South Anchorage.

A thunderstorm forecast for the afternoon may be accompanied by gusts of wind, hail and heavy rain, according to the weather service forecast.

"It's not going to be severe, just may get a rare September thunderstorm," Doll said.

Meanwhile, another high temperature record was broken Monday, Doll said. At the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, a temperature of 62 degrees toppled the previous record of 61 degrees.

"Before the rain that started (Sunday), it was the driest September on record and the second warmest," Doll said.

On Sunday, the weather service, eyeing a low-pressure front building in the Gulf of Alaska, had predicted winds of 30-40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph in Southcentral Alaska starting Monday morning.

Doll said he thought Sunday's special weather statement helped people prepare for the storm.

By Monday afternoon in the Anchorage Bowl, winds are expected to reach 15-20 mph with gusts to 35 mph. The wind is expected to taper off Monday evening.

The Mat-Su was not likely to be affected by the winds, forecasters said.

Reporter Laurel Andrews contributed to this story.