High Wind — Portage, Alaska

2025-04-16 · Portage, Alaska

Event narrative

The Whittier Access Tunnel weather station (WRTA2) and the Portage ASOS (PATO) reported gusty winds of over 60 mph in the morning hours of April 16, and lasting through the evening. The Whittier Access Tunnel station had a peak wind gust of 82 mph at 7:20 PM AKDT the same day. Portage had two peak gusts of 73 mph at 5:27 AM and 11:37 AM AKDT also on the 16th.

Wider weather episode

A strong low pressure system developed and moved north into the southern Alaska Peninsula between April 15th and April 16th. A band of heavy snow and strong northerly winds developed and moved across Akutan and Unalaska. The settlements saw impacts including poor visibility, bad road conditions, and large snow drifts. Higher elevations saw more snowfall and larger snowdrifts. As the low pushed eastward, an associated strong front moved into Southcentral Alaska on April 16th. The front caused strong winds to develop through mountain gaps and higher elevations of the Anchorage Hillside and along the Turnagain Arm, especially in Portage Valley.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1257139. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.