High Wind — Eastern Norton Sound and Nulato Hills, Alaska

2025-10-12 · Eastern Norton Sound and Nulato Hills, Alaska

Event narrative

The Golovin AWOS (PAGL) reported strong southeasterly winds that persisted throughout the day, with sustained speeds of 50 to 55 mph and gusts around 65 mph. The strongest wind gust measured at the Golovin site was 68 mph on October 12th at 0714AKST. Further east, a peak gust of 76 mph was measured at the Shaktoolik AWOS site (PFSH) at 0856AKST. At the Elim Airport AWOS station (PFEL), a wind gust of 61 mph was measured at 0738AKST. Winds gusted to 81 mph at the St. Michael AWOS station (PAMK) at 0929AKST. A wind gust of 72 mph was recorded at the Unalakleet AWOS site (PAUN) at 1104AKST.

Reports obtained from social media included damage to the roofs and siding of multiple structures, including the Unalakleet Post Office. The porch and roof of one residential structure was destroyed. A fence was blown over. There were also reports of airborne debris.

Wider weather episode

Ex-Typhoon Halong brought high winds and severe coastal flooding to the West Coast of Alaska from October 11th to 13th. The storm caused severe coastal flooding in the Kuskokwim River Delta and high water levels extending north to the Yukon River Delta. These coastal areas all reported high wind gusts near or upwards of 70 to 80 mph. Inland areas as well as the Eastern Norton Sound saw impacts from damaging winds, with gusts upwards of 50 to 60 mph, causing damage to roofs and siding, downed trees, and damaged power lines leading to outages. Significant wave activity on the Koyukuk River near Huslia damaged, swept away, or sank several boats.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1296613. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.