High Wind — Inner Channels From Kupreanof Island To Etolin Island, Alaska

2017-02-11 to 2017-02-12 · Inner Channels From Kupreanof Island To Etolin Island, Alaska

Event narrative

Point Baker spotter recorded 60 to 70 MPH gusts on 2/11 with skiffs near sinking and branches down.

Wider weather episode

Strong SSW flow aloft ahead of an occluded front on 2/10 brought snow, high winds, and even blizzard conditions to the Panhandle. As the front moved onshore on 2/11, warm air overrunning very cold air at the surface caused the snow to accumulate rapidly. White Pass was closed, and snow combined with wind gusts over 60 mph caused road and marine problems throughout SE Alaska. Some locations measured over a foot of new snowfall.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 678402. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.