High Wind — Dixon Entrance To Cape Decision Coastal Area, Alaska

2017-02-11 to 2017-02-12 · Dixon Entrance To Cape Decision Coastal Area, Alaska

Event narrative

Cape Decision (marine observation) showed extreme wind on the afternoon and evening of 2/11 with gusts up to 80 MPH. It was strange that Hydaburg only had gusts in the 40s. No damage was reported.

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 678403. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.