High Wind — Cape Decision To Salisbury Sound Coastal Area, Alaska

2020-11-01 · Cape Decision To Salisbury Sound Coastal Area, Alaska

Event narrative

Peak wind gust of 63 mph measured at the Sitka Airport during the evening of November 1st.

Wider weather episode

Deep low pressure tracked northward along the outer coast causing impacts across Southeast Alaska beginning Halloween night through November 2nd. High Winds were felt over the outer coast and heavy rain caused rivers to rise out of their banks across the southern half of Southeast Alaska with minor impacts. The ground was already saturated by moderate to heavy rain leading up to November 1 and 2 with amounts ranging from 5 to 9 inches. Multiple mudslides occurred near steep terrain after rain amount of 3.5 inches over 36 hrs along with wet antecedent soil conditions. Tight pressure gradient along the Coast Mountains resulted in strong northerly outflow winds and cold air to push southward through the northern inner channels resulting in heavy snow.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 926245. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.