High Wind in Alaska, March 23 to 24, 1998

A rapidly intensifying low moved northeast across the central Aleutians Monday morning, deepening to 956mbs late Monday night. The low then tracked northeast into Bristol Bay early Tuesday, where it began to weaken. By Tuesday night, the low was located about 100 miles east southeast of Bethel and had weakened to 967mbs. Very shortly after this time, winds diminished below 40 mph. Initially, strong southeasterly winds preceded the storm...gusting as high as 88 mph at Cold Bay. On the back side of the low, however, very strong southwesterly winds affected the eastern Aleutians and Alaska Peninsula. Damage at Unalaska included vehicle and trailer damage, damage to houses caused by wind-born debris, and blown out windows to homes, cars and boats. Roofing was also damaged. Wind gusts in excess of 100 mph were reported in the Dutch Harbor/Unalaska area, where winds are channelled and greatly influenced by the surrounding mountains. In Cold Bay, structural damage occurred at several housing units.