High Wind — Kuskokwim Valley, Alaska

1998-08-20 · Kuskokwim Valley, Alaska

Wider weather episode

A strong Bering Sea storm and its associated front brought strong winds to many areas of southwest Alaska, the Alaska Range , Southcentral Alaska and even into the Copper River Basin. Strongest winds were southeasterly ahead of the front...while brisk southwesterly winds were observed along the south and southwest quadrant of the low. Wind gusts reached 54 mph along the Anchorage Hillside on the morning of the 20th, 50 mph at Cold Bay on the morning of the 19th, 49 mph at Dutch Harbor also on the morning of the 19th, 49 mph at Farewell Lakes on the morning of the 20th and 50 mph at Klawasi, also on the morning of the 20th. Wind gusts along land areas of the southwest Alaskan coast ranged from 45 to near 60 mph...however one ship adjacent to Cape Newenham recorded gusts of 70 mph. Also, heavy rains were observed along the southwest Alaskan coast as the front moved through...with Togiak recording 2.9 inches in a 24 hour period.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5658420. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.