High Wind — Matanuska Valley, Alaska

2020-11-01 to 2020-11-02 · Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Event narrative

Peak gusts measured at Palmer Municipal Airport (PAAQ).

Wider weather episode

A very tight offshore pressure gradient, coupled with an early season cold snap over Southcentral Alaska brought high winds from the Matanuska Valley into Northern portions of the Anchorage Municipality. These winds produced downed trees on power lines, causing over 400 power outages. Minor damages were also reported at Merrill Field in Anchorage as a small aircraft broke free from its tie down. A deck barge was also beached on the mudflats in Knik Arm after breaking loose from its anchor in high winds.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 930542. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.