High Wind — Taiya Inlet and Klondike Highway, Alaska

2019-01-09 · Taiya Inlet and Klondike Highway, Alaska

Event narrative

Numerous reports of sustained wind 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 85 mph occurred on the evening of 1/9 for Skagway. No significant damage was reported. Impact was that actions were taken by customers to mitigate these extreme North to NE winds.

Wider weather episode

A 1037 MB High pressure over the Yukon on 1/9 moved over northern Canada on the evening of 1/9. This system was opposed to a 983 MB low center SW of Dixon Entrance on the afternoon of 1/10. Surface pressure differences caused very strong winds on the night of 1/9. No damage was reported, but the Alaska Marine Highway system canceled sailings in Lynn Canal due to storm force wind and heavy freezing spray.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 792664. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.