Marine High Wind — Southern Chatham Strait, Gulf of Alaska

2005-12-08 · near Port Alexander, Southern Chatham Strait, Gulf of Alaska

Wider weather episode

A fast moving 987 MB Low tracked eastward from the Gulf through the Southern Panhandle on this date. The tightly wrapped system had a 120+ knot northwest-southeast oriented jet on its backside. The pattern is better known as a "bent-back occlusion" and results in storm force or greater winds for a few hours time in the improving skies behind the Low center. Quickscat winds verified 52+ knot winds in our coastal marine zones. A six inch diameter tree was snapped in half on Blashkie Island (northern Clarence Strait), falling into and damaging the work building of our cooperative observer there. Winds were estimated at 80 mph. Some other measured peak wind gusts were: Cape Decision 64 mph...Greys Islet (B.C.) 61 mph...and Hydaburg 55 mph. No vessels reported distress.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5488759. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.