High Wind — Central Aleutians, Alaska

2023-02-21 · Central Aleutians, Alaska

Event narrative

A National Ocean Service observing station in Adak recorded several wind gusts in excess of 65 knots (75 mph) during the morning hours of February 21. There was also an isolated wind gust to 69 knots (79 mph) during the previous afternoon, though winds during this secondary peak otherwise remained below the high wind threshold.

Wider weather episode

A storm force low from the North Pacific swept through the western and central Aleutians on the evening of February 20 through midday on February 21, bringing high winds to the community of Adak. Storm force winds were aided by a strong (1045 mb) surface high pressure south of the Gulf of Alaska, which led to a strong pressure gradient on the east side of the low as it intensified over the western Aleutians late on February 20. The swath of strongest winds pushed through the central Aleutians near Adak during the early morning hours of February 21, before the low quickly exited into the northern Bering Sea.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1102222. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.