High Wind — Central Aleutians, Alaska

2015-12-12 to 2015-12-13 · Central Aleutians, Alaska

Event narrative

Winds above 73 mph began at 12:30 pm on 12/12 and lasted until 6:30 pm on 12/13. The event peaked between 8:00 pm 12/12 and 3:15 am on 12/13, when winds consistently gusted above 100 mph. The max wind speed was reached on 12/12 at 10:30 pm. Power disruption to the airport damaged a 'localizer', preventing commercial flights to the airport. Damage to the fish processing plant security door allowed wind and water into the fish processing equipment. 2 tugs tied to the dock broke free and were beached on the breakwater. An estimate of 10 residential homes experienced 'minor' damage. Other damage to city facilities was also classified as 'minor'. Some debris was on the roadways from wind blown roof and siding.

Wider weather episode

A storm moved from north of Japan and rapidly intensified over the Aleutians, reaching 924 mb near the central Aleutians. This storm brought significant winds to the central Aleutians and 53 foot seas to the Bering Sea. A triple point low forming along the front of this system moved across the mainland and brought blizzard conditions to the west coast and channeled areas in SouthCentral Alaska.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 607380. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.