Winter Storm and High Wind in Alaska, December 25 to 28, 2001

A strong front, with several lows along it, moved toward Kodiak Island late Monday. The front moved slowly north Tuesday and Wednesday, finally extending from the northern Susitna Valley, north of Prince William Sound to near Cape Yakataga early Thursday in a weakened form. Locally strong east and southeast winds accompanied, and preceded, the front.12/25/01 - Tuesday125 - Portage recorded east gust 87 mph 11:35 am AST - 12:27 pm AST.Alyeska reported peak winds of 99 mph at 3300' 9:15 am AST.Winds gusting 30 - 50 mph from Bird Point to Girdwood.Heavy rains (24 hr total 3.47") at Seward. Police reported heavy rain all morning...with frozen culverts causing standing water on roads and urban flooding. The ex-mayor reported a flooded basement.101 - Moderate freezing rain in Anchorage/Eagle River area. Motorists were advised not to travel unless necessary Tuesday. Police responded to 10 minor crashes and 12 vehicles in distress along the Glenn Highway and in Eagle River. Some involved overturned vehicles...but no one was seriously injured Tuesday.12/26/01 - Wednesday125 - Alyeska - 5.30" rain at the base, 25" of snow at the top with peak winds 107 mph overnight.Portage - east gust 81 mph 7:53 am AST.Seward - another 5" rain, bringing total rainfall close to 9" for the two day period.Moose Pass - Water up to the running boards on semis in the area. 135 - Cordova city estimated 65+ mph around 10 pm AST.101 - Gust 97 mph Bear Valley at 3:55 am AST, along with 3.11 inches of rain in 24 hour period.12/27/01 - Thursday101 - Glen Alps recorded southeast gust of 68 mph.12/25-27121 - Freezing rain reported around Kachemak Bay early Tuesday. Storm sewers choked with rain runoff and icy side roads were a concern to Homer officials. 1699 households were without power for more than two hours Wednesday between Ninilchik and Anchor Point, according to Homer Electric Association. Roads were reported bad in Soldotna. Alaska State troopers reported blizzard conditions and avalanche danger in the Turnagain and Summit Passes of the Seward Highway. Worst driving conditions on the Kenai Peninsula were on the Sterling Highway around Cooper Landing, outside Sterling and in Kasilof. According to a news report, "Drivers crept along highways at speeds that would embarrass some joggers, and some still said they couldn't help nosing into the ditch." Undoubtedly Skilak Lake area received strong winds and heavy rains. Very heavy snows, in excess of 2', were reported at higher elevations. 125 - Alyeska closed at least for a day.