High Wind — Municipality of Skagway, Alaska

2022-10-13 · Municipality of Skagway, Alaska

Event narrative

The ASOS station PAGY at Skagway Airport measured periodic wind gusts of 58 to 62 mph between 518 am AKDT and 1226 pm AKDT Thursday.

Wider weather episode

The region had been getting impacted with multiple atmospheric rivers throughout most of autumn. This has led to above normal stream flows on most area rivers and streams. A very warm and moist atmospheric river lifted out of the north Pacific and transported a significant amount of tropical and subtropical moisture into southeast Alaska from October 12th through the 13th. The deep moisture through the atmosphere along with the very complex terrain of the region produced heavy rain with amounts from 3 to 4 inches in 24 hours and near 2.5 inches in 12 hours. This heavy rain along with the very warm temperatures increased ice melt from the glaciers in the headwater of the Taiya River produced record flooding in Dyea and along the Taiya River. There was road closures along with damage to National Park Service infrastructure. The flooding lasted all day on the 13th. Additionally, this event produced strong wind gusts resulting in downed trees.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1059041. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.