American Samoa, 2023

Damaging Winds in American Samoa, May 26, 2023

May 26, 2023 · NWS ASO · 3 events in 1 county or zone

A tight pressure gradient between a strong trough and a ridge produced high sustained winds and wind gusts between 330 and 650SST on May 26th. WSO Pago Pago recorded sustained winds of 30 MPH or more and gusts of 35 MPH or more during that time.

Where it happened

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$100,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
3

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS ASO wrote it up.

A tight pressure gradient between a strong trough and a ridge produced high sustained winds and wind gusts between 330 and 650SST on May 26th. WSO Pago Pago recorded sustained winds of 30 MPH or more and gusts of 35 MPH or more during that time. Maximum recorded winds at WSO Pago Pago reached 36 MPH with gusts reaching 45 MPH at 350SST. Higher gusts of 60 MPH or more are estimated in areas of funneling winds across Tutuila.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

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Event by event

3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tutuila

When
May 26, 4:30 AM SST to 9:00 AM SST
Where
Tutuila County, 6.83 mi WNW of Pago Pago to 4.16 mi NNE of Pago Pago
Measured
60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$80,000
Reported by
Utility Company
Coordinates
-14.261, -170.694

Due to high gusts from thunderstorm winds, a power outage occurred for most locations on the east side of Tutuila. The estimated time of the outage was around 430 SST. Power was restored around 900 SST. Estimated wind speeds reached up to 60 knots along some areas of the eastern side of Tutuila.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tutuila

When
May 26, 5:00 AM SST
Where
Tutuila County, 2.53 mi NW of Pago Pago
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
-14.275, -170.628

A powerful thunderstorm wind gust caused a downed tree in the village of Auto during the early morning hours on May 26th. The tree blocked the westbound lane of the main road. Estimated wind gusts reached up to 50 knots.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tutuila

When
May 26, 5:00 AM SST
Where
Tutuila County, 2.52 mi NW of Pago Pago
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
-14.272, -170.624

A powerful thunderstorm wind gust caused a downed tree in the village of Amaua during the early morning hours of May 26th. Estimated wind gusts reached up to 50 knots.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in American Samoa in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in American Samoa, May 2023

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1092433, 1092432, 1092436.