High Wind — Western Aleutians, Alaska

2023-03-18 to 2023-03-19 · Western Aleutians, Alaska

Event narrative

The Eareckson Airforce Base on Shemya Island, in the western Aleutians recorded 2.5 mile visibilites in rain while wind gusts increased to 75 mph, around 14:40 to 15:00.

Wider weather episode

An strong, elongated low lifted out of the southeast from the Gulf of Alaska and propagated towards the northwest, impacting a large swath of Southern Alaska and the Aleutian Chain. The low first impacted the Kenai Peninsula, bringing gusty winds, heavy snow, and lowered visibilities. As the low tracked westward, increased winds combined with moderate to heavy snowfall, banded at times, along with with blizzard conditions and lowered visibilities across areas of the Southwest and the Aleutian Chain.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1105216. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.