It’s almost State Fair time in Alaska and that always means rain.  Like clockwork the rain will be returning on cue for the start of the State Fair tomorrow in Palmer.  We will see widespread rain returning to south central Thursday.  The showers will continue for the region into Friday.  But the first half the weekend looks great for the region with some sunshine returning. 

The biggest story weather wise the past week and a half has been all the rain in the northwestern part of the state.  Since last Monday August 13^th Red Dog Mine has seen 10.64’’ of rain, Nome has picked up 3.88’’, and Kotzebue has seen 3.03’’.  Yes, more rain is on the way.  Yet another system will begin to move onshore late in the day Thursday.  This next system will have more wind than past systems.  That could mean some minor coastal flooding and beach erosion could accompany the rain.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Red Dog Mine tops the one foot mark for rainfall since August 13^th  with this next system. 

For the rest of the state things should remain relatively quiet in the Interior.  The rest of the western part of the state will remain cool and damp the next few days.  Down in the southeast you will have occasional showers through the end of the week. 

7 Day Forecast For Anchorage

Overnight the clouds will be on the increase with rain towards morning.  Lows will be in the upper 40s to low 50s.  Thursday we will have rain at times with highs in the mid to upper 50s.  Friday will be mostly cloudy with occasional showers and highs near 60.  Saturday looks fantastic with partly cloudy skies and highs near 65.  Sunday the clouds will return with showers possible late in the day and highs near 60.  Monday looks to be a little wet again with rain returning and highs in the mid to upper 60s.  Tuesday and Wednesday will be mostly to partly cloudy with highs in the low to mid 60s.