High Surf — Northern Arctic Coast, Alaska

2012-09-06 to 2012-09-07 · Northern Arctic Coast, Alaska

Wider weather episode

A 990 mb low developed along the eastern Beaufort Sea Coast on the morning of the 5th and strengthened to 986 mb by 0300AKST on the 6th. The low moved to Banks Island on the afternoon of the 7th, and then very slowly drifted to the northern tip of Victoria Island on the 9th. Strong west winds on the back side of the low produced high surf from Barrow east to Barter Island.

Zone 202: During the evening of the 6th at 1900AKST waves between Browerville and Point Barrow washed ocean water up on the road. By 0030AKST on the 7th the waves began to gradually subside.

Zone 203: The Prudhoe Bay Dockmaster reported that high surf on the 7th through the 8th prohibited ships from docking at the port. There were no reports of any damage.

Zone 204: High surf pushed ocean water up over half of the Airport runway at Barter Island. Beach erosion was reported along a 5 to 6 mile stretch along the north shore of the barrier island from the afternoon of the 7th through the early afternoon of the 9th. Three small boats were reported to be adrift during the high water.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 398400. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.