High Wind — City and Borough of Sitka, Alaska

2026-01-13 · City and Borough of Sitka, Alaska

Event narrative

The Sitka area saw high winds during the afternoon and evening of the 13th. The Sitka Airport ASOS measured high winds consistently between 345pm and 1040pm, including a period of sustained winds in excess of 40mph and a peak gust of 76mph at 852pm.The Marine Exchange station at the AML Dock measured a peak gust of 69mph at 911pm and the boat harbor saw a peak of 72mph at 854pm. A report on social media stated that boat lines were being snapped at the harbor during the high wind and the USCG reported a sunken vessel the following day. The local newspaper noted that emergency responders dealt with downed trees, a power outage, and other damages. Total monetary damage from this event is unknown.

Wider weather episode

After an active period of multiple systems moving through the area bringing periods of high winds to the southern panhandle, a stronger system arrived bringing high winds to majority of the Panhandle on the 13th into the 14th. This low center tracked northward through the eastern gulf, while deepening, along with a storm force front. The low center moved onshore along the NE Gulf Coast in vicinity of Yakutat overnight Tuesday the 13th. As the low jumped inland, winds spiked up through the inner channels, lasting longest for the Skagway area.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1316712. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.