High Wind — Southern Inner Channels, Alaska

2019-03-10 · Southern Inner Channels, Alaska

Event narrative

On 3/10 Salmon landing in downtown Ketchikan recorded 73 KT gusts at 1423. The tide gauge on the cruise ship docks recorded 67 KT at 1112. No damage has been reported so far.

Wider weather episode

SE Alaska had been under a blocking ridge for three weeks. Finally, a weak front penetrated the ridge on 3/9, but no big deal weatherwise. Next, a slammer of a front moved across the Gulf and made landfall early on the morning of 3/10 and across the Panhandle during the day. First, there were strong winds everywhere. Next, it dumped snow on Hyder. There were thunderstorms on the west side of Baranof Island. No damage reported so far other than a few tree branches down, and big time snow removal at Hyder and Stewart, B.C.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 800654. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.