High Wind in Alaska, October 15 to 16, 1999

A moderate front moved from the north-central Pacific Thursday across the northeast Gulf of Alaska coast and into Southeast Alaska very early Saturday. Brisk easterly winds preceded the front.Easterly winds at the Kodiak ASOS reached an adjusted speed of 62 mph between 3pm AST and 11pm AST Friday. At the Booth Lake site (remote), wind gusts peaked at 58 mph Friday evening.East wind gusts at Middleton Island peaked at an AWOS adjusted 84 mph at just after 8pm Friday. Wind gusts near or above 60 mph were recorded at the site from just after noon Friday until frontal passage just after midnight, nearly 12 hours later. Winds shifted south southwest and diminished abruptly as the front passed. Easterly winds near 80 mph were also recorded over the northern Gulf of Alaska waters as the front approached Friday.Northeast wind gusts from 50 to locally 60 mph were reported across portions of the Kenai Peninsula Friday. Snow and blowing snow were reported around the Homer airport (near sea level), however reports of whiteout conditions were received from the ridge to the north.