High Wind — Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska

2026-01-09 · Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska

Event narrative

High winds were measured across the Ketchikan area through the afternoon and early evening of the 9th during a period of heavy rain. All of the Marine Exchange stations in Ketchikan reached high wind, first at the station across from the airport at 311pm and last at the Saxman location. The highest gust of 59.5kt (68mph) occurred at Ward Cove at 407pm. The Ketchikan Airport ASOS measured a peak gust of 60mph at 631pm and a peak roof wind of 60kt. A power outage was reported in Saxman at 805pm.

Wider weather episode

An atmospheric river brought snow followed by high winds, warming temperatures and heavy rain to the panhandle January 8th and 9th. A low pressure center developed along a triple point front as it tracked NE across the western Gulf of Alaska on the 9th. The low center deepened to 960mb as it approached the northern Gulf and the frontal system brought a period of high winds to the central and southern panhandle. This system brought with it heavy snow across the north, followed by a significant warm-up, heavy rain, localized flooding due to previous heavy snow blocking drainages, and avalanches. The flooding falls into the advisory level, but the rain was an additional impact due to the added weight of the snow on structures. Disaster declarations were expanded to more communities across the northern panhandle after this storm.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1317504. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.