NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

Alaska communities in the Aleutians and Pribilofs were under a tsunami advisory after a magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Kamchatka at about 3:25 p.m. Alaska time. But it was lifted around 10:25 a.m. Wednesday.

The Unalaska Department of Public Safety has lifted a tsunami warning for Unalaska. The island is no longer at risk of a tsunami, and residents can return to lower ground.

Spring may have officially sprung, but this weekend, Unalaska is deep into another winter storm. Local officials are keeping a close eye on conditions that could last through Sunday.

Emergency officials in Unalaska are closely watching an active volcano near Anchorage. Scientists said Mount Spurr is likely to erupt within weeks or months.

A weak La Niña system is predicted this winter, meaning meteorologists can't forecast whether the Aleutian Islands will experience higher or lower than normal temperatures and precipitation this season.

In this episode of "Island Interviews," Aviva Braun, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, and Barrett Salisbury, a geologist with the Alaska Department of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, discuss what the certification means for the community and how locals can be more prepared for tsunamis and severe storms.

Officials with the National Weather Service, and other state and federal organizations, say Unalaska is prepared for a tsunami. At Tuesday’s city council meeting, they presented local officials with tsunami and weather-related readiness certificates.

The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement for the Eastern Aleutians and Alaska Peninsula. According to the organization, small amounts of ashfall are possible in Unalaska, Nikolski, Sand Point and Cold Bay through Monday afternoon.

Unalaska could see winds of up to 100 miles per hour on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.The federal agency has issued a high wind warning for the Eastern Aleutians including Unalaska and Nikolski from 10 a.m to 9 p.m. Saturday with south to southwest winds of 50 to 70 mph. The strongest winds of around 90 mph are expected from noon to 4 p.m., with gusts up to 100 mph possible, as winds move through the mountains.

Strong winds on the Alaska Peninsula Monday swept volcanic ash from a 1912 eruption across the region, triggering a SIGMET warning from the National Weather Service.