Coastal Flood Watch

* WHAT...Water levels on average of 1 to 2 feet above the normal highest tide line. Southeast winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected Thursday. South winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 50 mph expected Friday.

* WHERE...Kuskokwim Delta Coast including Kwigillingok and Kipnuk.

* WHEN...From 4 AM Thursday to 4 AM Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Coastal flooding of low lying areas and erosion are possible.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...There will be multiple peaks in water levels for the Kuskokwim Delta Thursday morning through Saturday morning coinciding with high tide cycles and strong southerly winds. Southeast winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts to 60 mph Thursday afternoon will diminish early Friday until the low pressure system moves west of the coast by Friday afternoon. Then, winds will become southerly at 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 50 mph by Friday afternoon. Winds gradually weaken but remain southerly through Saturday.

For Kwigillingok, water levels reach 1 to 2 feet above the normal highest tide line on Thursday, coinciding with the passage of a frontal system. Water levels could reach up to 4 feet in a worst case scenario.

For Kipnuk, the highest water levels of 1 to 2 feet above the normal highest tide line are expected on Friday as a low pressure system moves west of the coast and winds become southerly. Water levels could reach 2 to 3 feet in a worst case scenario.

For more information regarding potential local flood impacts, please reference maps.dggs.alaska.gov/akfit/