Alert archive / Alaska / High Wind Warnings in 2024

High Wind Warning 18, NWS Fairbanks, AK

August 20, 2024Nome Census Area, Alaska

NWS Fairbanks, AK issued this high wind warning at Aug 20, 2024, 2:05 AM AKDT for Nome Census Area, Alaska. It took effect at Aug 20, 2024, 10:00 AM AKDT. It was in force for 32 hr. 1 report 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
Aug 20, 2024, 2:05 AM AKDT (10:05 UTC)
In effect from
Aug 20, 2024, 10:00 AM AKDT
Expired
Aug 21, 2024, 6:00 PM AKDT
In force
32 hr
Issued by
NWS Fairbanks, AK

County Nome Census Area, AK

The radar

The Nome radar (PAEC), 82 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 10:05 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
Aug 21, 10:00 AM AKDTCOASTAL FLOODGambell, AKPossible report of minor coastal flooding relayed to us, also mentioned power was out.

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

The nearest sounding before it

Nome Ap, (POME), launched 00:00Z, 10.1 hours before the alert went out and 87 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, Nome Ap, at 00:00Z on 2024-08-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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, Nome Ap, at 00:00Z on 2024-08-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 94 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
842 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
30 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
94 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
97 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

761 
WWAK72 PAFG 201005
NPWWCZ

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
205 AM AKDT Tue Aug 20 2024

AKZ821-210200-
/O.UPG.PAFG.HW.A.0010.240820T1800Z-240822T0200Z/
/O.NEW.PAFG.HW.W.0018.240820T1800Z-240822T0200Z/
Bering Strait Coast-
Including the cities of Wales, Brevig Mission, and Teller
205 AM AKDT Tue Aug 20 2024

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM AKDT 
WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 65 mph expected.

* WHERE...Bering Strait Coast.

* WHEN...From 10 AM this morning to 6 PM AKDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and 
  cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for 
  high profile vehicles.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around 
or damaged by the wind.

&&

$$

AKZ827-210200-
/O.CON.PAFG.HW.A.0010.240820T1800Z-240822T0200Z/
St Lawrence Island-
Including the cities of Savoonga and Gambell
205 AM AKDT Tue Aug 20 2024

...HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM AKDT THIS MORNING 
THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...South winds 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 70 mph possible.

* WHERE...St Lawrence Island.

* WHEN...From 10 AM AKDT this morning through Wednesday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and 
  cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for 
  high profile vehicles.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates.

&&

$$
4 follow-up statements
286 
WWAK72 PAFG 201006
NPWWCZ

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
206 AM AKDT Tue Aug 20 2024

AKZ827-210200-
/O.UPG.PAFG.HW.A.0010.240820T1800Z-240822T0200Z/
/O.EXA.PAFG.HW.W.0018.240820T1800Z-240822T0200Z/
St Lawrence Island-
Including the cities of Savoonga and Gambell
206 AM AKDT Tue Aug 20 2024

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM AKDT 
WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...South winds 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 70 mph expected.

* WHERE...St Lawrence Island.

* WHEN...From 10 AM this morning to 6 PM AKDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and 
  cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for 
  high profile vehicles.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around 
or damaged by the wind.

&&

$$

AKZ821-210200-
/O.CON.PAFG.HW.W.0018.240820T1800Z-240822T0200Z/
Bering Strait Coast-
Including the cities of Wales, Brevig Mission, and Teller
206 AM AKDT Tue Aug 20 2024

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 
PM AKDT WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 65 mph expected.

* WHERE...Bering Strait Coast.

* WHEN...From 10 AM this morning to 6 PM AKDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and 
  cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for 
  high profile vehicles.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around 
or damaged by the wind.

&&

$$
862 
WWAK72 PAFG 202107
NPWWCZ

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
107 PM AKDT Tue Aug 20 2024

AKZ821-211500-
/O.CON.PAFG.HW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-240822T0200Z/
Bering Strait Coast-
Including the cities of Wales, Teller, and Brevig Mission
107 PM AKDT Tue Aug 20 2024

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKDT WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected.

* WHERE...Bering Strait Coast.

* WHEN...Until 6 PM AKDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and 
  cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for 
  high profile vehicles.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around 
or damaged by the wind.

&&

$$

AKZ827-211500-
/O.CON.PAFG.HW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-240822T0200Z/
St Lawrence Island-
Including the cities of Savoonga and Gambell
107 PM AKDT Tue Aug 20 2024

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKDT WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...South winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

* WHERE...St Lawrence Island.

* WHEN...Until 6 PM AKDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and 
  cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for 
  high profile vehicles.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around 
or damaged by the wind.

&&

$$
434 
WWAK72 PAFG 211139
NPWWCZ

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
339 AM AKDT Wed Aug 21 2024

AKZ821-220000-
/O.CON.PAFG.HW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-240822T0200Z/
Bering Strait Coast-
Including the cities of Wales, Brevig Mission, and Teller
339 AM AKDT Wed Aug 21 2024

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKDT THIS 
EVENING...

* WHAT...South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected.

* WHERE...Bering Strait Coast.

* WHEN...Until 6 PM AKDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and 
  cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for 
  high profile vehicles.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around 
or damaged by the wind.

&&

$$

AKZ827-220000-
/O.CON.PAFG.HW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-240822T0200Z/
St Lawrence Island-
Including the cities of Gambell and Savoonga
339 AM AKDT Wed Aug 21 2024

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKDT THIS 
EVENING...

* WHAT...South winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

* WHERE...St Lawrence Island.

* WHEN...Until 6 PM AKDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and 
  cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for 
  high profile vehicles.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around 
or damaged by the wind.

&&

$$

AKZ828>830-852-220000-
/O.NEW.PAFG.WI.Y.0041.240821T2100Z-240822T2100Z/
Lower Koyukuk Valley-Middle Yukon Valley-Lower Yukon and Innoko
Valleys-Upper Kuskokwim Valley-
Including the cities of Takotna, Grayling, Kaltag, Koyukuk,
Shageluk, Holy Cross, Nulato, Hughes, Anvik, Huslia, Galena,
Nikolai, Ruby, and McGrath
339 AM AKDT Wed Aug 21 2024

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 1 PM AKDT 
THURSDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Lower Koyukuk Valley, Lower Yukon and Innoko Valleys, 
  Middle Yukon Valley, and Upper Kuskokwim Valley.

* WHEN...From 1 PM this afternoon to 1 PM AKDT Thursday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and a few 
  power outages may result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high 
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

&&

$$
154 
WWAK72 PAFG 212141
NPWWCZ

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
141 PM AKDT Wed Aug 21 2024

AKZ821-220200-
/O.CON.PAFG.HW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-240822T0200Z/
Bering Strait Coast-
Including the cities of Teller, Brevig Mission, and Wales
141 PM AKDT Wed Aug 21 2024

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKDT THIS 
EVENING...

* WHAT...South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph.

* WHERE...Bering Strait Coast.

* WHEN...Until 6 PM AKDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and 
  cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for 
  high profile vehicles.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around 
or damaged by the wind.

&&

$$

AKZ827-220200-
/O.CON.PAFG.HW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-240822T0200Z/
St Lawrence Island-
Including the cities of Gambell and Savoonga
141 PM AKDT Wed Aug 21 2024

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKDT THIS 
EVENING...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 65 mph.

* WHERE...St Lawrence Island.

* WHEN...Until 6 PM AKDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and 
  cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for 
  high profile vehicles.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around 
or damaged by the wind.

&&

$$

AKZ828>830-852-220945-
/O.CON.PAFG.WI.Y.0041.000000T0000Z-240822T2100Z/
Lower Koyukuk Valley-Middle Yukon Valley-Lower Yukon and Innoko
Valleys-Upper Kuskokwim Valley-
Including the cities of Huslia, Grayling, Ruby, Kaltag, McGrath,
Holy Cross, Nikolai, Takotna, Koyukuk, Shageluk, Hughes, Anvik,
Nulato, and Galena
141 PM AKDT Wed Aug 21 2024

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM AKDT THURSDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* WHERE...Lower Koyukuk Valley, Lower Yukon and Innoko Valleys, 
  Middle Yukon Valley, and Upper Kuskokwim Valley.

* WHEN...Until 1 PM AKDT Thursday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and a few 
  power outages may result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high 
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

&&

$$

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 Fairbanks, AK wrote its last area forecast discussion before this high wind warning went out at Aug 19, 3:01 PM AKDT, 11 hours 4 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 19, 3:01 PM AKDT, 11 hours 4 minutes before
Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
301 PM AKDT Mon Aug 19 2024

.SYNOPSIS...
A large trough has erased summer from Alaska today, with the
remnants of warm air now shifting east into Canada. Cooler temps
and showers today, then partial clearing overnight will support
temps down into the mid 30s over parts of the Interior. A brief
drying out for the West Coast, then the remnants of post-tropical
Ampil will move into the West Coast Tuesday evening through
Wednesday, bringing high winds and minor coastal flooding impacts
to the West Coast, along with more rainfall for the Mainland.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

Upper Levels and Analysis...
There is a massive longwave trough parked over the Mainland today,
with the center of that trough being an arctic low near the North
Pole, with heights around 516 dam. The longwave trough has heights
around 540 dam and it encompasses the entire Mainland of Alaska.
The surface low is moving north into the Beaufort Sea with the
trailing cold front shifting across the Arctic Coast and N Slope.
Temps are substantially cooler everywhere except the West Coast,
with temps a solid 30 degrees cooler over the E Interior.

Forecast and Model Discussion...
Models are locked into the pattern and are clustered well as the
upper trough over the Mainland shifts east, high pressure builds
in tonight, then the next low shifts into the West Coast and an
associated front shifts east across the Mainland, midweek.
Currently, the remnants of ex-typhoon Ampil are the main storm we
are tracking, and the models have been very good from both a
deterministic and ensemble perspective, so we will continue with
an ECMWF and GFS blend for winds and storm track, which takes the
low from the northern tip of St Lawrence Island to Wales Kivalina,
approximately. This will push the strongest southwest winds of
gale force into Norton Sound, the YK Delta, and up to Teller.
Thus, we have changed the forecast little, and the general
thinking remains the same with minor flooding impacts for the
Norton Sound to YK Delta.

Central and Eastern Interior...
Cooler temps along with blustery and showery conditions continue
this evening then quickly taper off tonight, with brief high
pressure building in overnight. Temps drop into the 30s over
clear areas, especially out west toward the lower Tanana.
Elsewhere clouds should keep lows into the 40s. Still expecting
some higher elevation light snow chances above 2200 feet or so in
the Whites. It'll be drier on Tuesday and clearing out some, with
the next front from the West Coast pushing into the region
Wednesday with more rainfall, along with more south winds in the
Alaska Range gusting to 45 mph. Thursday, more southwest winds to
30 mph and showers will pass over the Interior, so it will be
another autumn-like day for the Interior.

West Coast and Western Interior...
High pressure builds in tonight. West winds in the sounds will
end this evening and high surf advisories will end this evening.

All eyes turn to the west where ex-Typhoon Ampil will move into
the West Coast with south winds as early as Tuesday, and then
southwest winds behind the low on Wednesday. These winds will
reach 60 mph and they will be strongest from St Lawrence Island to
the Norton Sound. As the front shifts inland, wind gusts will be
rather strong through Thu, which may eventually require wind
advisories inland. More rain is coming as well, with periods of
rainfall through Thu night. The main impact is going to be coastal
threats, as the low moves inland across the Bering Coast, which
will bring in a range of elevated water levels of 4 to 8 feet,
highest over E Norton Sound around Koyuk, with values 4 to 5 feet
around Nome, and lower values of 2 to 4 feet over the YK Delta to
Kotzebue Sound. This storm is also projected to bring 10 to 15
foot seas to the S facing coasts of northern Norton Sound, so that
will exacerbate the storm surge. We will be issuing coastal flood
advisories with this forecast package.

North Slope and Brooks Range...
Rain showers with a possible isolated thunderstorm today are
possible along the cold front, as it tracks from the Dalton Hwy
corridor and eastward. Rain showers will turn to mixed rain and
snow showers along parts of the Arctic Coast tonight with little
to no snow accumulation. 1 to 2 inches of snow, however, will
likely accumulate along the higher Dalton highway elevations in
the Brooks Range tonight. High pressure builds in tomorrow and it
will be drier, than south winds kick in again on Wednesday with
gusts to 40 mph through the passes from the south, along with rain
chances.

Extended Forecast Days 4-7...
Massive longwave trough with -2.0 sigma anomalies aloft, which
means will likely be much cooler than average with showers over
the Interior and chances for rain and snow showers over the
Arctic. With the large trough in place, the storm track will also
shift south, so there will finally be a receive from the recent
heavy rains over the West Coast and Brooks Range, although it will
still be wet.

Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...A strong coastal low, the
former remnants of current Typhoon Ampil, is projected to move
into the YK Delta and Norton Sound Tuesday into Wednesday with
gale force southwesterly winds and potential for coastal flooding.
The current track and strength could bring elevated water levels
of 4 to 5 feet for most areas but the highest water levels near
Koyuk with elevated water around 7 to 8 feet above the normal high
tideline.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Brief drying out on Tuesday with more south winds on Wednesday as
a front shifts east from the West Coast, bringing south gap winds
to the AK Range passes. It will be mostly dry for the Interior
tomorrow and early Wednesday before more rainfall.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
2-4 inches of rain over past two days will continue to cause
rapid increases in stream levels draining the Central Brooks
Range. Tributaries to the Koyukuk River could reach bankfull
levels and remain so into midweek.

The Koyukuk River at Bettles and Allakaket will rise
significantly over the next 24 hours and crest Tuesday. River
levels at Bettles and Allakaket are currently forecast to remain
below flood stage. The Koyukuk River at Hughes is expected to
crest Wednesday below flood stage.

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AK...Flood Watch for AKZ812-831-832.
     High Wind Watch for AKZ821-827.
     Coastal Flood Advisory for AKZ821-822-824-825.
     Wind Advisory for AKZ832.
     Wind Advisory for AKZ834.
PK...Small Craft Advisory for PKZ801-802-806-817-850-853.
     Small Craft Advisory for PKZ803-807-852-856.
     Small Craft Advisory for PKZ804-805-808-810-855.
     Gale Warning for PKZ809.
     Small Craft Advisory for PKZ811-857.
     Small Craft Advisory for PKZ812-858.
     Small Craft Advisory for PKZ813.
     Small Craft Advisory for PKZ814-860.
     Gale Warning for PKZ815-861.
     Gale Warning for PKZ816-854.
     Gale Warning for PKZ851.
     Small Craft Advisory for PKZ859.
&&

Ahsenmacher

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 19, 4:30 PM AKDTHigh Surf AdvisoryAFGNome Census Area, North Slope, Northwest Arctic72 hr
Aug 20, 2:18 AM AKDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAFGYukon-Koyukuk Census Area23 min
Aug 20, 2:48 AM AKDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAFGYukon-Koyukuk Census Area27 hr
Aug 20, 4:23 AM AKDTGale WarningAFG24 hr
Aug 20, 4:26 AM AKDTGale WarningAFG48 hr
Aug 20, 4:26 AM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFG57 hr
Aug 20, 1:02 PM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFG15 hr
Aug 20, 1:03 PM AKDTGale WarningAFG39 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.