High Wind — Southern Inner Channels, Alaska

2019-01-01 · Southern Inner Channels, Alaska

Event narrative

Salmon Landing near Downtown Ketchikan observed numerous measured gusts 60 to 65 mph during the day on 1/1. No damage was reported. The wind also impacted the slide at Thorne Bay. Please see:

https://www.krbd.org/2019/01/02/big-landslide-blocks-road-into-thorne-bay/

which has pictures.

Wider weather episode

On New Year's Day 2019, a strong push of warm air moved over SE Alaska. Most areas had windy conditions and temperatures above freezing. This warm air had plenty of moisture and daily some rainfall records were set. The remained cold at elevations along the Klondike Highway for heavy snow, where the impact was poor driving conditions and snow removal. The other problem was storm force winds. The Ketchikan area got hit with winds above 60 mph, but no damage was reported. Due to the heavy rain AND wind, Thorne Bay had a significant debris flow that closed the highway to and from the town. No injuries or damage was reported from that incident, but DOT spent considerable effort to reopen the road.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 791484. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.