High Wind — Salisbury Sound To Cape Fairweather Coastal Area, Alaska

2011-12-26 · Salisbury Sound To Cape Fairweather Coastal Area, Alaska

Event narrative

NCEP surface analyses showed very strong pressure gradients over the area during this time. Most observations are missing during this time period.

Wider weather episode

On the afternoon of 12.25 a moderate gale developed over the North Pacific. This gale became a full storm force low by early morning of 12.26 covering the entire Gulf of Alaska. This system brought heavy snow to the Haines area on 12.26 and 12.27 while causing strong winds for the outer coast and southern Panhandle. By the afternoon of 12.26 the central pressure had fallen to 960 MB near Middleton Island with hurricane force gusts. This system rapidly weakened on the evening of 12.26 but continued to cause heavy snow for Haines.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 353425. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.