Alert archive / Alaska / High Wind Warnings in 2024

High Wind Warning 9, NWS Anchorage, AK

February 20, 2024

NWS Anchorage, AK issued this high wind warning at Feb 20, 2024, 5:36 AM AKST. It took effect at Feb 20, 2024, 10:00 PM AKST. It was in force for 32 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Feb 20, 2024, 5:36 AM AKST (14:36 UTC)
In effect from
Feb 20, 2024, 10:00 PM AKST
Expired
Feb 22, 2024, 5:31 AM AKST
In force
32 hr
Issued by
NWS Anchorage, AK

The text

As transmitted.

817 
WWAK72 PAFC 201436
NPWALU

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
536 AM AKST Tue Feb 20 2024

AKZ191-210200-
/O.UPG.PAFC.HW.A.0006.240221T0000Z-240222T0000Z/
/O.NEW.PAFC.HW.W.0009.240221T0700Z-240222T0600Z/
Western Aleutians-
Including the city of Shemya and Amchitka
536 AM AKST Tue Feb 20 2024

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 9 PM
AKST WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 50 to 70 mph with gusts up to 85 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Western Aleutians, including Attu, Shemya, and Amchitka.

* WHEN...From 9 PM this evening to 8 PM HST Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property, and
  cause power outages. Falling snow in combination with strong
  winds could cause significantly reduced visibility at times. 
  Travel will be difficult.
 
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds will increase through today, with the
  highest winds expected from after midnight tonight through late
  Wednesday morning. Snowfall in combination with increasing 
  winds is expected to reduce visibility by this evening, ahead of
  when the peak winds are expected to arrive.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown
around or damaged by the wind. Prepare for the possibility of
widespread power outages. Use caution if you must drive.

&&

$$

AKZ187-210200-
/O.CON.PAFC.HW.A.0006.240221T2200Z-240222T1500Z/
Central Aleutians-
Including the city of Atka and Adak
536 AM AKST Tue Feb 20 2024

...HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 40 to 60 mph with gusts up to 80 mph 
  possible.

* WHERE...Central Aleutians, including Adak and Atka.

* WHEN...From Wednesday afternoon through late Wednesday night.

* IMPACTS...High winds could move loose debris, damage property, 
  and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Strong winds are expected to move from the
  Western Aleutians into the Central Aleutians by Wednesday
  afternoon. Widespread wind gusts up to 70 mph are likely, with a
  20 to 40 percent chance of wind gusts up to 80 mph.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A high wind watch means there is potential for a hazardous high
wind event. Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates
on this situation. Fasten loose objects or shelter objects in a
safe location prior to the onset of winds.

&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
https://weather.gov/afc
5 follow-up statements
934 
WWAK72 PAFC 210049
NPWALU

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
349 PM AKST Tue Feb 20 2024

AKZ191-211500-
/O.EXT.PAFC.HW.W.0009.240221T0700Z-240222T1000Z/
Western Aleutians-
Including the city of Shemya and Amchitka
349 PM AKST Tue Feb 20 2024

...HIGH WIND WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO
1 AM AKST THURSDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 50 to 70 mph with gusts up to 80 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Western Aleutians, including Attu, Shemya, and 
  Amchitka.

* WHEN...From 10 PM this evening to 1 AM AKST Thursday.

* IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property, 
  and cause power outages. Falling snow in combination with 
  strong winds could cause significantly reduced visibility at 
  times. Travel will be difficult.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds will continue to increase through
  this evening, with the highest winds expected after midnight 
  tonight through late Wednesday morning. Snowfall in combination 
  with increasing winds is expected to reduce visibility by this 
  evening, ahead of when the peak winds are expected to arrive.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown
around or damaged by the wind. Prepare for the possibility of
widespread power outages. Use caution if you must drive.

&&

$$

AKZ187-211500-
/O.CON.PAFC.HW.A.0006.240221T2200Z-240222T1500Z/
Central Aleutians-
Including the city of Atka and Adak
349 PM AKST Tue Feb 20 2024

...HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 40 to 60 mph with gusts up to 80 mph 
  possible.

* WHERE...Central Aleutians, including Adak and Atka.

* WHEN...From Wednesday afternoon through late Wednesday night.

* IMPACTS...High winds could move loose debris, damage property, 
  and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Strong winds are expected to move from the
  Western Aleutians into the Central Aleutians by Wednesday
  afternoon. Widespread wind gusts up to 70 mph are likely, with a
  30 to 50 percent chance of wind gusts up to 80 mph.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A high wind watch means there is potential for a hazardous high
wind event. Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates
on this situation. Fasten loose objects or shelter objects in a
safe location prior to the onset of winds.

&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
https://weather.gov/afc
720 
WWAK72 PAFC 211353
NPWALU

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
453 AM AKST Wed Feb 21 2024

AKZ187-220200-
/O.UPG.PAFC.HW.A.0006.240221T2200Z-240222T1500Z/
/O.EXB.PAFC.HW.W.0009.240222T0300Z-240222T1500Z/
Central Aleutians-
Including the city of Atka and Adak
453 AM AKST Wed Feb 21 2024

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 AM
AKST THURSDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 40 to 60 mph with gusts up to 80 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Central Aleutians, including Adak and Atka.

* WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to 6 AM AKST Thursday.

* IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property, and
  cause power outages. Falling snow in combination with strong
  winds could significantly reduce visibility at times. Travel 
  will be difficult.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Strong winds will move from the Western
  Aleutians into the Central Aleutians this afternoon, with winds
  expected to peak tonight. Widespread wind gusts up to 70 mph are
  likely, with wind gusts reaching as high as 80 mph at times.
  Expect around two inches of snowfall through tonight, with
  visibility reductions possible as strong winds blow about
  falling snow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown
around or damaged by the wind. Prepare for the possibility of
widespread power outages. Use caution if you must drive.

&&

$$

AKZ191-220200-
/O.CON.PAFC.HW.W.0009.000000T0000Z-240222T1000Z/
Western Aleutians-
Including the city of Shemya and Amchitka
453 AM AKST Wed Feb 21 2024

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM AKST THURSDAY...

* WHAT...West winds 55 to 75 mph with gusts up to 85 mph.

* WHERE...Western Aleutians, including Attu, Shemya, and Amchitka.

* WHEN...Until 1 AM AKST Thursday.

* IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property, and
  cause power outages. Falling snow in combination with strong
  winds could significantly reduce visibility at times. Travel 
  will be difficult.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Peak winds are expected from morning
  through the early afternoon for Attu and Shemya, and from this
  afternoon through evening for Amchitka. Expect 2 to 4 inches of
  snowfall through tonight, with visibility as low as one-quarter
  mile at times due to strong winds blowing about falling snow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown
around or damaged by the wind. Prepare for the possibility of
widespread power outages. Use caution if you must drive.

&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
https://weather.gov/afc
074 
WWAK72 PAFC 220007
NPWALU

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
307 PM AKST Wed Feb 21 2024

AKZ187-221315-
/O.CON.PAFC.HW.W.0009.240222T0300Z-240222T1500Z/
Central Aleutians-
Including the city of Atka and Adak
307 PM AKST Wed Feb 21 2024

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST THURSDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 40 to 60 mph with gusts up to 75 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Central Aleutians, including Adak and Atka.

* WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to 6 AM AKST Thursday.

* IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property, 
  and cause power outages. Falling snow in combination with 
  strong winds could significantly reduce visibility at times. 
  Travel will be difficult.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Strong winds will move from the Western
  Aleutians into the Central Aleutians this afternoon and evening,
  with winds expected to peak tonight. Widespread wind gusts up 
  to 70 mph are likely, with wind gusts reaching as high as 80 mph
  at times. Expect around two inches of snowfall through tonight,
  with visibility reductions possible as strong winds blow about 
  falling snow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown
around or damaged by the wind. Prepare for the possibility of
widespread power outages. Use caution if you must drive.

&&

$$

AKZ191-221000-
/O.CON.PAFC.HW.W.0009.000000T0000Z-240222T1000Z/
Western Aleutians-
Including the city of Shemya and Amchitka
307 PM AKST Wed Feb 21 2024

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM AKST THURSDAY...

* WHAT...West winds 55 to 65 mph with gusts up to 80 mph.

* WHERE...Western Aleutians, including Attu, Shemya, and 
  Amchitka.

* WHEN...Until 1 AM AKST Thursday.

* IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property, 
  and cause power outages. Falling snow in combination with 
  strong winds could significantly reduce visibility at times. 
  Travel will be difficult.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Peak winds are expected this afternoon
  through evening for Amchitka with winds gradually decreasing for
  Attu and Shemya. Expect 2 to 4 inches of snowfall through 
  tonight, with visibility as low as one- quarter mile at times 
  due to strong winds blowing about falling snow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown
around or damaged by the wind. Prepare for the possibility of
widespread power outages. Use caution if you must drive.

&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
https://weather.gov/afc
110 
WWAK72 PAFC 221008
NPWALU

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
108 AM AKST Thu Feb 22 2024

AKZ191-221115-
/O.EXP.PAFC.HW.W.0009.000000T0000Z-240222T1000Z/
Western Aleutians-
Including the city of Shemya and Amchitka
108 AM AKST Thu Feb 22 2024

...HIGH WIND WARNING HAS EXPIRED...

Wind gusts of 75 mph or greater are no longer expected.
Southwesterly winds will gradually diminish through today.

$$

AKZ187-221500-
/O.CON.PAFC.HW.W.0009.000000T0000Z-240222T1500Z/
Central Aleutians-
Including the city of Atka and Adak
108 AM AKST Thu Feb 22 2024

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST EARLY THIS
MORNING...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 40 to 60 mph with gusts up to 75 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Central Aleutians, including Adak and Atka.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM AKST early this morning.

* IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property, 
  and cause power outages. Falling snow in combination with 
  strong winds could significantly reduce visibility at times. 
  Travel will be difficult.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Strong winds will peak late tonight/early
  Thursday morning. Widespread wind gusts up to 70 mph are likely,
  with wind gusts reaching as high as 80 mph at times. Expect
  around two inches of total snowfall with this storm, with 
  visibility reductions possible as strong winds blow about 
  falling snow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown
around or damaged by the wind. Prepare for the possibility of
widespread power outages. Use caution if you must drive.

&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
https://weather.gov/afc
057 
WWAK72 PAFC 221431
NPWALU

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
531 AM AKST Thu Feb 22 2024

AKZ187-221545-
/O.CAN.PAFC.HW.W.0009.000000T0000Z-240222T1500Z/
Central Aleutians-
Including the city of Atka and Adak
531 AM AKST Thu Feb 22 2024

...HIGH WIND WARNING IS CANCELLED...

Gusts to 75 mph or greater are no longer expected. Winds will
continue to diminish through this afternoon.

$$

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

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 Anchorage, AK wrote its last area forecast discussion before this high wind warning went out at Feb 19, 5:03 PM AKST, 12 hours 33 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 19, 5:03 PM AKST, 12 hours 33 minutes before
Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
503 PM AKST Mon Feb 19 2024

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA (Days 1 through 3: Monday
evening through Thursday)...

A southerly flow and its moisture plume are directed towards
SouthCentral as its parent low, located south of the Alaska
Peninsula, drifts north into Bristol Bay and the Southwest before
breaking down over the interior Tuesday. This pattern will keep
warmer than normal temperatures across the region in place for
another day, with snow levels sitting around 1000 to 2000 feet
(rain, the predominant precip type below these levels). Gusty
winds have prevailed today as southeast-to-northwest aligned
valleys, including the Turnagain Arm wind, Knik Wind, and south
Copper River Valley wind, become favored under this pattern.
These winds have largely inhibited precipitation from falling
across their effected locations, though could see a light sprinkle
break through if winds diminish some. Otherwise, these Chinook
and gap winds are forecast to continue through the overnight hours
tonight and tomorrow before diminishing late Tuesday as the
aforementioned low breaks down.

The pattern begins to shift overnight Tuesday and Wednesday as
the front over the Gulf dissipates and its southerly flow shuts
off, bringing a cooling trend to Southcentral. Much of the
precipitation that falls across the region will transition to
snow, with south-facing and coastal mountains still receiving
quite a bit of snow.

A transition to more seasonable temperatures and increased
chances of precipitation arrive late Wednesday into Thursday as a
deep trough comes barreling into mainland Alaska, bringing colder
temperatures to the region once again. Mountain snow will have
tapered off across most areas by this time, through the eastern
Prince William Sound will continue to see increased snow amounts
across its mountaintops. Along area roadways, snow amounts will be
relatively light other than along Thompson Pass which will
receive snow rates of about 6 inches or so per 12 hour period.

-AB

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHWEST ALASKA/BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS (Days
1 through 3)...

Key Messages:

* Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the Lower Kuskokwim
  Valley, including Sleetmute, from 10pm this evening through
  Tuesday afternoon with additional snow accumulations of 4-8 inches
  expected.

* Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Bristol Bay, mainly from
  Dillingham north and west and around Port Heiden, from 10pm this
  evening through Tuesday morning with additional snow accumulations
  of 4-8 inches expected and wind gusts up to 40mph between Kokhanok
  and Koliganek.

* High Wind Watch will go into effect for the Western Aleutians,
  including Attu, Shemya, and Amchitka, from Tuesday afternoon
  through Wednesday. Anticipate southwest winds 50 to 70 mph with
  gusts up to 85 mph possible.

* High Wind Watch will go into effect for the Central Aleutians,
  including Amchitka, Adak, and Atka, from Wednesday afternoon
  through Thursday. Anticipate southwest winds 40 to 55 mph with
  gusts up to 80 mph possible

Discussion:

Active weather remains on tap for Southwest Alaska out to the
Aleutians through the rest of the work week. First up will be a
deepening low pressure located over Bethel, which is expected to
continue northward towards St. Lawrence Island through Tomorrow
morning. As this low traverses north, expecting a band of moderate
to heavy snow to develop roughly on a line from Port Heiden to
Dillingham then north to Sleetmute by late tonight through
tomorrow with forecast snowfall totals around 4-8inches. The
heaviest snow will fall overnight through early tomorrow morning
before becoming lighter during the afternoon. For locations east
of the Dillingham / Port Heiden line, snow will likely mix with
rain, limiting snow amounts. A corridor of gusty gap winds up to
40 mph is expected between Kokhanok and Koliganek by early
tomorrow morning.

Out west, the hits keep coming as a High Wind Watch has been issued
for Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday for the Eastern and Central
Aleutians as a deepening Kamchatka low starts to develop and shifts
eastward. Expecting this low to approach the Western Aleutians with
increased winds starting tomorrow mid-afternoon. Highest winds are
expected by late tomorrow night into Wednesday morning for the
Western Aleutians, with gusts up to 80mph possible. As the low
progresses eastward, there remains the potential for the central
Aleutians to see sustained west to southwest winds 40-55mph with
highest gusts up to 80mph by Wednesday afternoon.

-NM

&&

.LONG TERM FORECAST (Days 4 through 7: Friday through Monday)...

The upper level low in the Bering weakens and begins an easterly
track through Interior southcentral Alaska. It forms a weak
center over the Gulf Sunday morning, and dissipates by Monday
morning. The tightest gradients remain along the Southern
periphery propelled by a generally zonal jetstream. Transient
fronts and troughs will bring locally heavy precipitation across
the Aleutians, AKPEN and Southwest Alaska. Precipitation will be
mostly rain on the Pacific side, with mixed rain and snow or all
snow on the Bering side through Friday. Temperatures cool back
below freezing over the weekend, expanding the areas of snow
through Monday. After a shortwave ridge transits the Bering,
another upper level low moves out of the Russian Far East.

-ER

&&

.AVIATION...

PANC...Gusty southeasterly Turnagain Arm winds are expected to
persist across the terminal through Tuesday. There may be a brief
lull in these winds later this evening into early Tuesday morning
as the overall wind field bends more down inlet as the next in a
series of surface lows deepens south of the Alaska Peninsula. Any
lull in the southeasterly surface winds would likely introduce
LLWS to the terminal as strong southeasterly winds remain over the
Anchorage Hillside. Ceilings will lower to around 5,000 ft through
this evening, but should remain VFR. There is also the chance for
very light rain this evening if winds do subside.

-TM

&&

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 19, 3:38 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC3 days
Feb 19, 3:41 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC3 days
Feb 19, 3:41 PM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC36 hr
Feb 19, 3:55 PM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC60 hr
Feb 19, 4:17 PM AKSTWinter Weather AdvisoryAFC24 hr
Feb 19, 4:19 PM AKSTHigh Wind WatchAFC37 hr
Feb 20, 3:42 AM AKSTGale WarningAFC61 hr
Feb 20, 3:42 AM AKSTStorm WarningAFC48 hr
Feb 20, 4:03 AM AKSTGale WarningAFC60 hr
Feb 20, 8:13 AM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC44 hr

Nearby

High Wind Warnings in Alaska, 2024Every high wind warning in 2024

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text.