Funnel Cloud — Wrn P.w. Snd & Kenai Mtns, Alaska

2024-08-29 · near Seward, Wrn P.w. Snd & Kenai Mtns, Alaska

Event narrative

A mariner reported that a waterspout developed between Cheval Island and Pony Cove starting around 10:45 AM AKST that moved from west to east after developing and lasted for about 5 minutes. Photo evidence provided by this mariner showed a clear funnel cloud and surface circulation kicking up sea spray. While this waterspout developed close to several islands, there was no clear evidence this feature ever reached land before it dissipated.

Wider weather episode

Showers developing near a weak low moving over the Gulf of Alaska fueled by seasonably warm ocean surface temperatures coupled with cool air aloft near the low produced at least one waterspout documented by a mariner south of Resurrection Bay. The shower that produced the waterspout was fairly shallow and weak based on satellite and radar imagery, and rotation associated with the vortex was likely on far too small of a scale to be detected by remote sensing.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (59.7612, -149.5122)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1201438. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.