High Wind — Kodiak Island-eastern Alaska Peninsula, Alaska

1999-05-30 · Kodiak Island-eastern Alaska Peninsula, Alaska

Event narrative

A fishing vessel near Dry Bay, on the southwest side of Shelikof Strait, reported winds to 80 mph and 40 foot seas. The captain was having great difficulty controlling the vessel and was prepared to abandon ship with the 3 crew members. A NOAA research vessel, the Miller Freeman, about 25 miles away reported winds of 20 knots and seas of 18 ft, however. The Dry Bay area is adjacent to Wide Bay, a noted 'blow hole' out of the Alaska Peninsula for strong northwest winds in seemingly benign pressure patterns.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5692337. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.