newsminer.com

High winds in the Anchorage area forced at least 19 cargo flights and one Alaska Airlines passenger flight to divert to Fairbanks early today.

Anchorage operations were back to normal by mid-day.

The National Weather Service said there were high winds along Turnagain Arm and higher elevations in the Anchorage area.

The forecast called for southeast winds of 60 mph with gusts to 85 mph. Winds were expected to die down in the afternoon to 20 to 35 mph. The high wind warning was in effect until 10 a.m. today.

Of the 19 cargo gets, most were from FedEx, while others are from UPS, Nippon, Northwest, Southern, Polar and DHL, Cathay Pacific and Asiana.

There is room at Fairbanks International Airport to handle at least 27 jets at one time.

Angie Spear of the airport marketing office said the last flight came in right before noon. The planes were leaving at various times, depending upon crew schedules.