High Wind — Anchorage, Alaska

2024-02-12 to 2024-02-13 · Anchorage, Alaska

Event narrative

A COOP observer site recorded a wind gust to 84 mph during the evening of 2/13. Several other sites across the Anchorage Hillside recorded wind gusts between 60 and 80 mph, with an unverified report of an 113 mph gust from a PWS in Bear Valley along with possible roof damage to a structure.

Wider weather episode

High pressure centered over the Alaska Gulf coupled with a strong low pressure and front moving over Southwest Alaska helped drive strong southeast winds into the Anchorage area for much of the day on 2/13. The strongest confirmed wind gust to 84 mph occurred on the Anchorage Hillside in Potter Valley. An unverified report of an 113 mph gust from a personal weather station was received from Bear Valley to the north, with damage to a roof also reported in this area due to the strong winds. Notably, strong wind gusts were able to mix down all the way to the rest of Anchorage, with a gust of 52 mph recorded at the Ted Stevens International Airport on 2/13 during the afternoon.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1163190. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.