Alert archive / Alaska / High Wind Warnings in 2025
High Wind Warning 2, NWS Juneau, AK
NWS Juneau, AK issued this high wind warning at Feb 25, 2025, 2:44 PM AKST for Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska. It took effect at Feb 26, 2025, 4:40 AM AKST. It was in force for 10 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
- Feb 25, 2025, 2:44 PM AKST (23:44 UTC)
- In effect from
- Feb 26, 2025, 4:40 AM AKST
- Expired
- Feb 26, 2025, 3:00 PM AKST
- In force
- 10 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Juneau, AK
Counties Ketchikan Gateway Borough, AK, Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, AK
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 26, 2:55 PM AKST | FLOOD | 4 N Ketchikan, AK | Ward Creek at Lake Connell Dam reached minor flood stage of 252 feet. |
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, 11.7 hours before the alert went out and 69 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 484 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 31 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 29 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 38 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
494 WWAK77 PAJK 252344 NPWAJK URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Juneau AK 244 PM AKST Tue Feb 25 2025 AKZ328-260800- /O.UPG.PAJK.HW.A.0001.250226T0900Z-250227T0900Z/ /O.NEW.PAJK.HW.W.0002.250226T1500Z-250226T2100Z/ Prince of Wales Island- Including the cities of Craig, Klawock, Hydaburg, Coffman Cove, and Thorne Bay 244 PM AKST Tue Feb 25 2025 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO NOON AKST WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Southeast winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Prince of Wales Island. * WHEN...From 6 AM to noon AKST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...High winds will blow around unsecured objects and may damage property and cause power outages. Travel will be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Highest winds are expected at sea level and higher elevations along the southern half of Prince of Wales Island, including Hydaburg, Craig, Klawock and Kasaan. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure vessels and loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Report any damage to the National Weather Service by visiting weather.gov/Juneau/StormReports && $$ AKZ330-332-260800- /O.UPG.PAJK.HW.A.0001.250226T0900Z-250227T0900Z/ /O.NEW.PAJK.HW.W.0002.250226T1500Z-250227T0000Z/ Ketchikan Gateway Borough-Annette Island- Including the cities of Ketchikan and Metlakatla 244 PM AKST Tue Feb 25 2025 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 3 PM AKST WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Southeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Ketchikan Gateway Borough and Annette Island. * WHEN...From 6 AM to 3 PM AKST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...High winds will blow around unsecured objects and may damage property and cause power outages. Travel will be difficult. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure vessels and loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Report any damage to the National Weather Service by visiting weather.gov/Juneau/StormReports && $$
4 follow-up statements
675 WWAK77 PAJK 260732 NPWAJK URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Juneau AK 1032 PM AKST Tue Feb 25 2025 AKZ328-261600- /O.CON.PAJK.HW.W.0002.250226T1500Z-250226T2100Z/ Prince of Wales Island- Including the cities of Craig, Klawock, Hydaburg, Coffman Cove, and Thorne Bay 1032 PM AKST Tue Feb 25 2025 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO NOON AKST WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Southeast winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Prince of Wales Island. * WHEN...From 6 AM to noon AKST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...High winds will blow around unsecured objects and may damage property and cause power outages. Travel will be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Highest winds are expected at sea level and higher elevations along the southern half of Prince of Wales Island, including Hydaburg, Craig, Klawock and Kasaan. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure vessels and loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Report any damage to the National Weather Service by visiting weather.gov/Juneau/StormReports && $$ AKZ330-332-261600- /O.CON.PAJK.HW.W.0002.250226T1500Z-250227T0000Z/ Ketchikan Gateway Borough-Annette Island- Including the cities of Ketchikan and Metlakatla 1032 PM AKST Tue Feb 25 2025 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 3 PM AKST WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Southeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Ketchikan Gateway Borough and Annette Island. * WHEN...From 6 AM to 3 PM AKST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...High winds will blow around unsecured objects and may damage property and cause power outages. Travel will be difficult. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure vessels and loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Report any damage to the National Weather Service by visiting weather.gov/Juneau/StormReports && $$
603 WWAK77 PAJK 261340 NPWAJK URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Juneau AK 440 AM AKST Wed Feb 26 2025 AKZ328-262100- /O.EXT.PAJK.HW.W.0002.250226T1340Z-250226T2100Z/ Prince of Wales Island- Including the cities of Craig, Klawock, Hydaburg, Coffman Cove, and Thorne Bay 440 AM AKST Wed Feb 26 2025 ...HIGH WIND WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON AKST TODAY... * WHAT...Southeast winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Prince of Wales Island. * WHEN...Until noon AKST today. * IMPACTS...High winds will blow around unsecured objects and may damage property and cause power outages. Travel will be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Highest winds are expected at sea level and higher elevations along the southern half of Prince of Wales Island, including Hydaburg, Craig, Klawock and Kasaan. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure vessels and loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Report any damage to the National Weather Service by visiting weather.gov/Juneau/StormReports && $$ AKZ330-332-262145- /O.EXT.PAJK.HW.W.0002.250226T1340Z-250227T0000Z/ Ketchikan Gateway Borough-Annette Island- Including the cities of Ketchikan and Metlakatla 440 AM AKST Wed Feb 26 2025 ...HIGH WIND WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM AKST THIS AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Southeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Ketchikan Gateway Borough and Annette Island. * WHEN...Until 3 PM AKST this afternoon. * IMPACTS...High winds will blow around unsecured objects and may damage property and cause power outages. Travel will be difficult. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure vessels and loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Report any damage to the National Weather Service by visiting weather.gov/Juneau/StormReports && $$
330 WWAK77 PAJK 262037 NPWAJK URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Juneau AK 1137 AM AKST Wed Feb 26 2025 AKZ328-270000- /O.EXT.PAJK.HW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-250227T0000Z/ Prince of Wales Island- Including the cities of Craig, Klawock, Hydaburg, Coffman Cove, and Thorne Bay 1137 AM AKST Wed Feb 26 2025 ...HIGH WIND WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM AKST THIS AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Southeast winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 65 mph. * WHERE...Prince of Wales Island. * WHEN...Until 3 PM AKST this afternoon. * IMPACTS...High winds will blow around unsecured objects and may damage property and cause power outages. Travel will be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Highest winds are expected at sea level and higher elevations along the southern half of Prince of Wales Island, including Hydaburg, Craig, Klawock and Kasaan. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure vessels and loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Report any damage to the National Weather Service by visiting weather.gov/Juneau/StormReports && $$ AKZ330-332-270000- /O.CON.PAJK.HW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-250227T0000Z/ Ketchikan Gateway Borough-Annette Island- Including the cities of Ketchikan and Metlakatla 1137 AM AKST Wed Feb 26 2025 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM AKST THIS AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Southeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. * WHERE...Ketchikan Gateway Borough and Annette Island. * WHEN...Until 3 PM AKST this afternoon. * IMPACTS...High winds will blow around unsecured objects and may damage property and cause power outages. Travel will be difficult. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure vessels and loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Report any damage to the National Weather Service by visiting weather.gov/Juneau/StormReports && $$
843 WWAK77 PAJK 262354 NPWAJK URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Juneau AK 254 PM AKST Wed Feb 26 2025 AKZ328-330-332-270100- /O.EXP.PAJK.HW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-250227T0000Z/ Prince of Wales Island-Ketchikan Gateway Borough-Annette Island- Including the cities of Craig, Klawock, Hydaburg, Coffman Cove, Thorne Bay, Ketchikan, and Metlakatla 254 PM AKST Wed Feb 26 2025 ...HIGH WIND WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 3 PM AKST THIS AFTERNOON... Winds are beginning to diminish across the southern, even though gusts to 45 to 50 mph are continuing through the late afternoon as the front moves through the area. The Warning will allowed to expire at 3 pm. Continue to take caution with outdoor activities through the evening. $$
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 Feb 25, 6:12 AM AKST, 8 hours 32 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Feb 25, 6:12 AM AKST, 8 hours 32 minutes before
Southeast Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Juneau AK
612 AM AKST Tue Feb 25 2025
.SHORT TERM...Clouds and light precipitation continue to affect
the Panhandle Tuesday as the remnants of the previous low move
out of the area. A trough in the Gulf sets up for another
developing system to track northward through the central Gulf
Tuesday night, bringing periods of rain with the highest totals
over the Southern Panhandle. Along the Haines Highway, increased
moisture combined with cold temperatures aloft will yield
advisory level snowfall through the morning. Webcams and mesonet
data show an attempt to transition to liquid, but we expect
cooler temperatures to persist supporting additional accumulation.
.LONG TERM.../Wednesday through the weekend/ The upper level jet digs a trough
down into the western gulf on Tuesday with S-SWLY flow increasing
over the eastern gulf and the panhandle. This will cause a new low
center to develop at the surface as it tracks northward into the
central Gulf of Alaska Tuesday night through Wednesday. Expect gale
force winds of 35 to 45 knots over the outside waters. Winds through
the northern/central inside waters will turn out of the north ahead
of the low pressure, then shift to the south-southwest after the
front passes. Rainfall amounts with this system looks to range from
1-3 inches with around a 6hr period of moderate to heavy rates.
Freezing levels were raised slightly along the northern border,
nullifying significant snow accumulations for Haines Highway. For
the Klondike Highway, however, fully saturated layer combined with a
profile below freezing will lend to snow develop. The main question
at this point is the present lifting mechanisms, as the front may
shear and weaken before reaching this area. So while moisture may be
present, the lack of upward forcing may limit snow rates. Went with
solutions with more aggressive with cold air intrusion aloft,
which will increase lapse rates in the dendritic growth zone.
Given the possibility and 50% confidence of occurrence, issued a
winter storm watch for the Klondike Highway.
Beyond the initial, impactful front to pass over the panhandle, the
low center's future remains more uncertain. Ensemble means of the
GEFS and GEPS as well as operation ECMWF lean toward the low center
moving near Yakutat with good agreement. However, the operational
GFS, Canadian, NAM, and ensemble EPS seem to indicate the low center
breaking away from the jet aloft and drifting west of Prince William
Sound. Current forecast represents the low moving into/slightly east
of Prince William Sound, which would result in strong breezes along
the NE gulf from a minor barrier jet.
After a short break, the next gale force front looks to track in
from the west Thursday night into Friday. This system brings in more
swell and seas building to 20ft over the gulf on Friday. The jet
stream looks to direct the moisture to the southern panhandle on
Thursday, then wavers south of the area on Friday. Therefore this
could be a relatively quickly passing system. Heading into next
weekend, there are some signs of brief ridging in the gulf which
would give us another break (something to look forward to).
&&
.AVIATION...This morning brings a brief clearing of conditions to the northern
panhandle as the low pressure system moves onshore and dissipates.
The rest of the panhandle will see some lingering low ceilings and
drops in visibility due to persisting rain and fog. The southern
panhandle will see more lasting MVFR conditions into the day with
some drops to IFR as the remnants of the front are still pushing
through from the south. As the system has started to move out of the
northern panhandle, Haines and Skagway have started gusting between
20 and 25kts and are expected to stay gusty through tonight.
Ceilings and visibility are expected to drop again as the next
system moves in tonight and brings more rainfall to the panhandle.
Our main aviation concern going into tonight is wind shear
stretching from Dixon Entrance through Icy Strait corridor,
including Juneau. The wind shear is expected to start up late
tonight, with wind speeds of 35 to 45kts at 2000ft, with the highest
of the wind speeds to affect the southern panhandle and along the
coastline as the next front moves in.
&&
.MARINE...
For the Gulf, expect fresh to strong breezes through the morning
before a southeasterly gale force low moves into the central Gulf
by Tuesday night. This is expected to increase seas to 20+ feet
through the rest of the week.
For the inner channels, expect moderate to fresh Southerly
breezes in the morning. Winds will diminish and switch northerly
in response to the gale force low in the Gulf. Overnight into
Wednesday, Northerly winds will switch Southerly. Expect gales
through Clarence Strait and gale force gusts in Southern Chatham
Strait, including near gales in Sumner Strait and Frederick
Sound.
&&
.AJK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PUBLIC...Winter Weather Advisory until 3 PM AKST this afternoon for
AKZ318-319.
Winter Storm Watch from Wednesday morning through Wednesday
evening for AKZ318.
Strong Wind late tonight for AKZ323.
High Wind Watch from Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening
for AKZ328-330-332.
MARINE...Gale Warning for PKZ022-036-641>644-661>664-671.
Small Craft Advisory for PKZ012-013-033-035-651-652-672.
&&
SHORT TERM...ZTK/BC
LONG TERM....NC
AVIATION...Contino/SF
MARINE...ZTK/BC
Visit us at http://www.weather.gov/JuneauThe office that day
Everything else NWS Juneau, AK issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 24, 3:01 PM AKST | Small Craft Advisory | AJK | 64 hr | |
| Feb 24, 3:13 PM AKST | High Wind Watch | AJK | Ketchikan Gateway, Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area | 24 hr |
| Feb 24, 3:13 PM AKST | Winter Storm Watch | AJK | Skagway Municipality | 24 hr |
| Feb 25, 3:33 AM AKST | Winter Weather Advisory | AJK | Haines, Skagway Municipality | 8 hr |
| Feb 25, 3:49 AM AKST | Gale Warning | AJK | 42 hr | |
| Feb 25, 3:49 AM AKST | Gale Warning | AJK | 3 days | |
| Feb 25, 3:49 AM AKST | Gale Warning | AJK | 4 days | |
| Feb 25, 3:49 AM AKST | Small Craft Advisory | AJK | 4 days | |
| Feb 25, 3:49 AM AKST | Small Craft Advisory | AJK | 11 hr | |
| Feb 25, 2:47 PM AKST | Winter Storm Warning | AJK | Haines, Skagway Municipality | 39 hr |
| Feb 25, 2:47 PM AKST | Winter Weather Advisory | AJK | Haines | 24 hr |
Nearby
High Wind Warnings in Alaska, 2025Every high wind warning in 2025
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.