High Wind and Heavy Rain in Alaska, August 2 to 5, 1999

A vigorous low moved from the north Pacific into the southeastern Bering Sea late Monday and Tuesday. The central pressure reached at least as low as 974mbs...with the center located just south of the Pribilofs early Wednesday. The low then curved northwest and began to weaken. By late Thursday, the low was estimated as a 987mb center and was located between Saint Matthew Island and Cape Navarin (in Russia)...no longer producing strong winds.The front associated with this low was preceded by gusty southeast winds. By Thursday morning, the front extended, in a much weakened form, from Kotzebue Sound into the western entrance to Kachemak Bay and was no longer producing strong winds.Early Tuesday, ASOS adjusted wind gusts reached 62 mph at Saint Paul...in advance of the front.Winds at Dutch Harbor peaked at 69 mph Monday morning as the front neared.Monday evening marked the beginning of strong winds around Cold Bay in advance of the front. Adjusted ASOS gusts reached 63 mph as the day ended Tuesday. Just prior to frontal passage late Wednesday morning, ASOS adjusted gusts peaked at 67 mph. Strong southeast wind gusts were also reported around Port Heiden, a bit further up the Alaska Peninsula.Around the Bristol Bay area, AWOS adjusted peak gusts of 68 mph were observed around Iliamna late Tuesday. Togiak, however, recorded an AWOS adjusted gust of 70 mph during the first few hours of Wednesday with frontal passage occurring around 10 am ADT Wednesday.Locally heavy rains also accompanied the front, prompting a flash flood watch for the Iliamna area and drainages of Lake Iliamna and the Mulchatna. Local rainfall rates of .30 inches per hour were reported.