High Wind — Sern P.w. Snd, Alaska

2008-02-02 to 2008-02-03 · Sern P.w. Snd, Alaska

Event narrative

Thompson Pass Road Weather Information site reported peak gusts to 119 KT out of the north. These winds are characteristic of the magnitude of the gap winds through the Chugach Mountains that most likely occurred out of the Copper River Delta.

Wider weather episode

A 996mb low in the Northern Gulf of Alaska, combined with a 1026mb high pressure ridge over the interior, created a 24mb pressure difference between Fairbanks and Valdez. These two surface features combined with a passing upper level trough of low pressure, as well as cold air advection, provided the instability for steady snow and strong northerly winds across the zone. Orientation of the surface pressure gradient (West/Southwest to East/Northeast) was also conducive to strong terrain enhanced winds across Northeast Prince William Sound.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 68049. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.