Alert archive / Alaska / High Wind Warnings in 2023

High Wind Warning 2, NWS Juneau, AK

January 20, 20235 counties in Alaska

NWS Juneau, AK issued this high wind warning at Jan 20, 2023, 1:11 PM AKST for 5 counties in Alaska. It was in force for 14 hr. 3 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Jan 20, 2023, 1:11 PM AKST (22:11 UTC)
Expired
Jan 21, 2023, 3:00 AM AKST
In force
14 hr
Issued by
NWS Juneau, AK

Counties Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, AK, Juneau City and Borough, AK, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, AK, Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, AK, Sitka City and Borough, AK

The radar

The Sitka radar (PACG), 108 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:11 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jan 20, 3:00 PM AKSTNON-TSTM WND GST 608 Nw Ketchikan, AKCO-OP OBSERVER STATION KTAA2 8.3 NW KETCHIKAN.
Jan 20, 4:52 PM AKSTNON-TSTM WND GST 64Tenakee Springs, AKMESONET STATION TKEA2 TENAKEE SPRINGS.
Jan 20, 4:52 PM AKSTNON-TSTM WND GST 681 W Sitka, AKMESONET STATION SHXA2 SITKA.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Anette Island, AK (PANN), launched 12:00Z, 10.2 hours before the alert went out and 252 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Anette Island, AK at 12:00Z on 2023-01-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2 joules per kilogram.LCLEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Anette Island, AK at 12:00Z on 2023-01-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 556 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
2 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
448 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
67 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
556 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
596 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

939 
WWAK77 PAJK 202211
NPWAJK

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Juneau AK
111 PM AKST Fri Jan 20 2023

...STORM FORCE LOW IN THE GULF GIVING STRONG WINDS TO SE AK...

.A storm force low in the gulf is bringing strong winds with high
wind gusts to parts of the panhandle. Gusts around 40 to 60 mph 
are expected through this evening and tonight.

AKZ328-210615-
/O.NEW.PAJK.HW.W.0002.230120T2211Z-230121T0900Z/
Prince of Wales Island-
Including the cities of Craig, Klawock, Hydaburg, Coffman Cove, 
and Thorne Bay
111 PM AKST Fri Jan 20 2023

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Southeast winds 20 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...On Prince of Wales Island, especially near Hydaburg.

* WHEN...Until midnight AKST tonight.

* IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. 
  Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be 
  difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Sustained winds up to 40 mph with gusts
  near 60 mph have been reported by local weather observation
  stations. As wind shifts to the south to southwest, winds will
  calm this evening.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around
trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of
your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if
you must drive.

&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
https://weather.gov/ajk
5 follow-up statements
451 
WWAK77 PAJK 210029
NPWAJK

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Juneau AK
329 PM AKST Fri Jan 20 2023

AKZ330-332-210830-
/O.EXA.PAJK.HW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-230121T0900Z/
Ketchikan Gateway Borough-Annette Island-
Including the cities of Ketchikan and Metlakatla
329 PM AKST Fri Jan 20 2023

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Southeast winds 20 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Ketchikan Gateway Borough and Annette Island.

* WHEN...Until midnight AKST tonight.

* IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. 
  Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be 
  difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around
trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of
your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if
you must drive.

&&

$$

AKZ328-210830-
/O.CON.PAJK.HW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-230121T0900Z/
Prince of Wales Island-
Including the cities of Craig, Klawock, Hydaburg, Coffman Cove, 
and Thorne Bay
329 PM AKST Fri Jan 20 2023

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST
TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Southeast winds 20 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...On Prince of Wales Island, especially near Hydaburg.

* WHEN...Until midnight AKST tonight.

* IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. 
  Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be 
  difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around
trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of
your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if
you must drive.

&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
https://weather.gov/ajk
792 
WWAK77 PAJK 210216
NPWAJK

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Juneau AK
516 PM AKST Fri Jan 20 2023

AKZ321-211030-
/O.EXB.PAJK.HW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-230121T1200Z/
Eastern Chichagof Island-
Including the cities of Hoonah and Tenakee Springs
516 PM AKST Fri Jan 20 2023

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM AKST SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Southeast winds 20 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Tenakee Springs.

* WHEN...Until 3 AM AKST Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines.
  Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around
trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of
your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if
you must drive.

&&

$$

AKZ328-330-332-210900-
/O.CON.PAJK.HW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-230121T0900Z/
Prince of Wales Island-Ketchikan Gateway Borough-Annette Island-
Including the cities of Craig, Klawock, Hydaburg, Coffman Cove, 
Thorne Bay, Ketchikan, and Metlakatla
516 PM AKST Fri Jan 20 2023

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST
TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Southeast winds 20 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Ketchikan, Annette Island, and on Prince of Wales 
  Island, especially near Hydaburg.

* WHEN...Until midnight AKST tonight.

* IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. 
  Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be 
  difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around
trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of
your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if
you must drive.

&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
https://weather.gov/ajk
177 
WWAK77 PAJK 210227
NPWAJK

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Juneau AK
527 PM AKST Fri Jan 20 2023

AKZ323-325-211030-
/O.EXA.PAJK.HW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-230121T1200Z/
City and Borough of Sitka-City and Borough of Juneau-
Including the cities of Sitka and Juneau
527 PM AKST Fri Jan 20 2023

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM AKST SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Southeast winds 20 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...City and Borough of Sitka and City and Borough of 
  Juneau.

* WHEN...Until 3 AM AKST Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. 
  Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be 
  difficult.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around
trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of
your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if
you must drive.

&&

$$

AKZ321-211030-
/O.CON.PAJK.HW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-230121T1200Z/
Eastern Chichagof Island-
Including the cities of Hoonah and Tenakee Springs
527 PM AKST Fri Jan 20 2023

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM AKST SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Southeast winds 20 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Tenakee Springs.

* WHEN...Until 3 AM AKST Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. 
  Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be 
  difficult.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around
trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of
your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if
you must drive.

&&

$$

AKZ328-330-332-210900-
/O.CON.PAJK.HW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-230121T0900Z/
Prince of Wales Island-Ketchikan Gateway Borough-Annette Island-
Including the cities of Craig, Klawock, Hydaburg, Coffman Cove, 
Thorne Bay, Ketchikan, and Metlakatla
527 PM AKST Fri Jan 20 2023

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AKST
TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Southeast winds 20 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Ketchikan, Annette Island, and on Prince of Wales 
  Island, especially near Hydaburg.

* WHEN...Until midnight AKST tonight.

* IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. 
  Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be 
  difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around
trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of
your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if
you must drive.

&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
https://weather.gov/ajk
733 
WWAK77 PAJK 210723
NPWAJK

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Juneau AK
1023 PM AKST Fri Jan 20 2023

AKZ328-330-332-210830-
/O.CAN.PAJK.HW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-230121T0900Z/
Prince of Wales Island-Ketchikan Gateway Borough-Annette Island-
Including the cities of Craig, Klawock, Hydaburg, Coffman Cove, 
Thorne Bay, Ketchikan, and Metlakatla
1023 PM AKST Fri Jan 20 2023

...HIGH WIND WARNING IS CANCELLED...

Winds have eased as the front moved inland. Gusts to 40 mph are
expected through late tonight.

$$

AKZ321-210830-
/O.CAN.PAJK.HW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-230121T1200Z/
Eastern Chichagof Island-
Including the cities of Hoonah and Tenakee Springs
1023 PM AKST Fri Jan 20 2023

...HIGH WIND WARNING IS CANCELLED...

Winds have eased as the front moved inland. Gusts to 40 mph are
expected through late tonight.


$$

AKZ323-325-211200-
/O.CON.PAJK.HW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-230121T1200Z/
City and Borough of Sitka-City and Borough of Juneau-
Including the cities of Sitka and Juneau
1023 PM AKST Fri Jan 20 2023

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM AKST SATURDAY...

* WHAT...South winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 55 mph.

* WHERE...City and Borough of Sitka and City and Borough of 
  Juneau.

* WHEN...Until 3 AM AKST Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. 
  Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be 
  difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around
trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of
your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if
you must drive.

&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
https://weather.gov/ajk
992 
WWAK77 PAJK 211132
NPWAJK

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Juneau AK
232 AM AKST Sat Jan 21 2023

AKZ323-325-211245-
/O.EXP.PAJK.HW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-230121T1200Z/
City and Borough of Sitka-City and Borough of Juneau-
Including the cities of Sitka and Juneau
232 AM AKST Sat Jan 21 2023

...HIGH WIND WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 3 AM AKST EARLY THIS
MORNING...

High winds have diminished as the front moved inland. Some local 
gusts to 40 mph are expected through the early morning.

This will be the final statement on this event.


$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
https://weather.gov/ajk

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this high wind warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Juneau, AK wrote its last area forecast discussion before this high wind warning went out at Jan 20, 3:58 AM AKST, 9 hours 13 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 20, 3:58 AM AKST, 9 hours 13 minutes before
Southeast Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Juneau AK
358 AM AKST Fri Jan 20 2023

.SHORT TERM...A storm force low moves into the central portion of
the AK Gulf today and tracks northward towards Prince William
Sound through Friday night. The associated storm force front
crosses over the eastern gulf with increasing gulf winds, seas
building towards 30 ft, and inner channel winds increasing to
gale force. Overland wind gust should only reach 50 mph as the
front passes, but will monitor for possible higher gusts. Non
diurnal temperature trend into Saturday as temps this morning were
in the low to mid 40s and should stay steady or rise slightly as
the front advances. As the low center reaches the NE Gulf cold air
will move in with temps then dropping in the early morning and
then through the day. Heaviest precip expected to occur late this
morning and into the evening. Warm air aloft and at the surface
keeps precip as rain for all locations except upper elevations
and the winter weather advisory continuing for White Pass into
early Saturday morning with 4 to 7 inches of accumulation.
Expecting more of a mix of rain and snow with CAA behind the front
late tonight, however due to warmer surface temps any
snow accumulation should be at most an inch or two. New model
runs backed off on PoP for tonight as the low center pulled
further to the west, which along with lower QPF gave better
consensus on limiting snow totals. Still some models having
precip more showery in nature and with increased rates and snow
melt cooling can not rule out training of cells and higher snow
totals.

GFS/NAM were in good agreement with position of the low which was
further west than previous forecast. GFS depicted a stronger
front, but for now held off on those higher winds. However did
follow the GFS/NAM QPF forecast and lowered totals for tonight
along the central and coastal panhandle.

.LONG TERM...Period begins with winds and precip continuing across
the region as another low pushes N through the central gulf
pushing another frontal band through the panhandle. This will
bring another round of precip and winds to the region. Precip
will be generally liquid over the region except for the Haines and
Klondike highways where another round of 3-6 inches of snowfall
Fri night into Sat. CAA over the inner channels may be sufficient
to bring accumulating snow near sea level to the Juneau and the
Icy Strait corridor. Given model spread in boundary layer thermal
profiles, confidence is below average on how the rain/snow line
will meander so kept mention of up to 2 inches snowfall over this
region. Conditions will ease Sat night as a short wave ridge moves
across the region. This respite will be brief however as long
wave trough remaining anchored over the W gulf will continue to
direct a series of storms across the region through mid next week.

&&

.AVIATION...Marginal VFR conditions across Southeast Alaska due to
reduced CIGS and VSBY in widespread precipitation. Areas of IFR
conditions for both CIGS and VSBY as well. No significant changes
expected over the next 24 hours. Widespread turbulence and LLWS as
well with low level jet strength with SSW winds of 70 kts as low
as 5000 ft. Conditions improving in the respect by Saturday
morning except for the northeast gulf coast, which will see
worsening conditions over the next 24 hours.

&&

.MARINE...Southerly storm force winds to 50 kts will become
southeasterly as the region of strongest winds moves north along
the extreme eastern Gulf. Combined seas 10 ft this morning,
building to as high as 29 ft by this afternoon before beginning
to subside overnight. On the inside, gales of 35 to 40 kts
beginning over the southern inner channels this morning and
spreading north through Friday night.

&&

.AJK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PUBLIC...Strong Wind from this afternoon through late tonight for AKZ317-
     319-323.
     Winter Weather Advisory from noon today to 6 AM AKST Saturday
     for AKZ318.
     Strong Wind from this evening through late tonight for AKZ318.
     Strong Wind this evening for AKZ320-322.
     Strong Wind from 9 AM AKST this morning through this evening for
     AKZ327.
     Strong Wind from 9 AM AKST this morning through late tonight for
     AKZ328.
     Strong Wind from 9 AM AKST this morning through this evening for
     AKZ330-332.
MARINE...Storm Warning for PKZ042-043-051-052.
     Gale Warning for PKZ011>013-021-022-031>036-041.
     Small Craft Advisory for PKZ053.

&&

SHORT TERM...PRB
LONG TERM....BC
AVIATION...Fritsch

Visit us at http://www.weather.gov/Juneau

The office that day

Everything else NWS Juneau, AK issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 19, 3:42 PM AKSTWinter Weather AdvisoryAJKSkagway Municipality38 hr
Jan 19, 3:48 PM AKSTStorm WarningAJK35 hr
Jan 19, 3:49 PM AKSTStorm WarningAJK35 hr
Jan 19, 3:51 PM AKSTGale WarningAJK35 hr
Jan 19, 3:51 PM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAJK11 hr
Jan 20, 2:49 AM AKSTGale WarningAJK24 hr

Nearby

High Wind Warnings in Alaska, 2023Every high wind warning in 2023

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.