High Wind — Alaska Peninsula, Alaska

2024-01-12 · Alaska Peninsula, Alaska

Event narrative

The Cold Bay ASOS recorded several hours during which winds gusted in excess of 65 knots (75 mph) from around 4 pm through 11 pm January 12. Wind gusts measured as strong as 76 knots (88 mph). Wind gusts elsewhere along the Alaska Peninsula were generally measured 40 knots (46 mph) or less during the same time period.

Wider weather episode

A North Pacific low pushed a front across the Alaska Peninsula on the evening of January 12. The resulting southeasterly gap flow led to a prolonged period of several hours during which high wind gusts were observed in Cold Bay. The low tracked across the eastern Bering Sea on January 13, pushing into the Kuskokwim Delta that evening. Northwesterly flow brought in cold air behind the low as it continued north, which led to gusty winds and blowing snow on Nunivak Island and along the Kuskokwim Delta coast.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1158247. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.