High Wind — Inner Channels From Kupreanof Island To Etolin Island, Alaska

2014-10-19 · Inner Channels From Kupreanof Island To Etolin Island, Alaska

Event narrative

For 192130Z - Darlene from Point Baker called with very strong winds. Estimated near 50 mph gusts with winds getting stronger as we were on the phone from the shift log.

Cape Decision only had peak winds of 40 KT but these were from the north. NCEP surface analyses showed extreme surface pressure gradients over Kuiu Island, but unfortunately there are no observations there, and no one lives there permanently.

Wider weather episode

On the afternoon of October 18, a gale force low with 975 MB center off Vancouver Island had a strong associated front approaching the Panhandle from the SSW. A secondary low developed on the triple point over Dixon Entrance by 0900 on Sunday October 19th. This second center made landfall near Cape Decision around noon Sunday then reformed over Cape Spencer that afternoon. Gale force winds with storm force gusts were observed over much of the Southern Panhandle including Kuiu Island which is part of PKZ-026. Winds rapidly diminished Sunday afternoon with no reports of damage.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 543996. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.