Heavy Rain — Pelican Coastal, Alaska

2005-11-18 to 2005-11-24 · near Pelican, Pelican Coastal, Alaska

Wider weather episode

A week of record rainfall impacted much of Southeast Alaska during this time. A series of strong low pressure systems tracked northeast from the Aleutians and inland near Cape Suckling. The strongest of these lows was 963 MB around 12Z on the 18th. The storm track resulted in a series of fronts moving through the Panhandle in a predominant southwest/onshore flow. The other factor that caused this spell of record rainfall was the infamous "Pineapple Connection". There was a long wave trough near the dateline and a long ridge entering western Canada. Southeast Alaska was at the end of a 'firehose' of tropical moisture. This also correlated with the MJO at the time. Some historic seven day precipitation records were set: Juneau International Airport 10.42" ending on 11/22...Juneau Lena Point 9.17" ending on 11/22...Downtown Juneau 15.11" ending on 11/23...Juneau Forecast Office 10.33" ending on 11/23...Haines coop observer (downtown) 12.16" ending on 11/25...Sitka International Airport 12.58" ending on 11/23...Hoonah coop 10.12" ending on 11/25...and the Pelican coop 26.87" ending on 11/23. Juneau (airport dating back to 1943) experienced it's 3rd wettest day in history (3.45" on 11/21). Sitka (airport dating back to 1900) experienced their 6th wettest day in history (4.74" on 11/22). Pelican (dating back to 1967) and Wrangell had their wettest days in history (8.41" on 11/19 and 5.08" on 11/22 respectively). Disaster declarations were made in the communities of Juneau, Haines, Sitka, Hoonah and Pelican totaling over $4 million. Early November high elevation snowpack ran-off during the warm up and helped contribute to the problems. As is typical during these extended periods of heavy rainfall in Southeast Alaska, the steep mountain slopes that run off into the channels experienced numerous landslides. Several homes were damaged by these landslides in the Juneau and Haines areas. Streams and creeks swelled to bankfull levels, though no river flooding was reported. Backed up culverts caused erosion beneath roadways. Major damage occurred on the Haines road system due to this type of erosion. Flooded basements were also reported in many areas. Winds associated with the frontal passages complicated matters and caused widespread treefall throughout the Tongass National Forest. Numerous power outages were reported as well.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5484901. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.