High Wind — Eastern Aleutians, Alaska

2026-01-04 to 2026-01-06 · Eastern Aleutians, Alaska

Event narrative

The Eastern Aleutians including Unalaska and Akutan saw winds gusting over 80 mph from January 4 to January 5. A marine observation site in Akutan (NDBCAKXA2) had a peak wind gust of 107 mph at 2:12 PM AKST January 5. The site also reported more gusts over 100 mph around the same time. A marine observation site in Dutch Harbor (NDBCDPLA2) recorded a gust of 104 mph at 1:52 PM AKST January 5.

Wider weather episode

A potent hurricane force North Pacific Low moved into the Bering on January 4. This, combined with potent shortwave troughs and cold air advection behind the low allowed for gusty, westerly to southwesterly winds across the Aleutians and Alaska Peninsula. The Eastern Aleutians and Alaska Peninsula saw strong, gusty winds for a time. As the low moved eastward, heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions were observed over the Southwest mainland.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1312117. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.