Power Outage in South Naknek, AK

A strong upper-level trough originating in the Arctic dove southwestward across Southcentral Alaska on the evening of December 22 through December 23, bringing a reinforcing shot of cold, dense Arctic air into an already cold environment. This combined with a pre-existing strong pressure gradient between strong surface high pressure in Interior Alaska and low pressure over the Gulf of Alaska to produce strong winds through gaps and passes across southern mainland Alaska. Blizzard conditions were seen in the Matanuska Valley, where 65 to 83 mph winds lofted snow and reduced visibility. Winds knocked out power to 7000 residents in the Matanuska Valley and the Anchorage Bowl. Blowing and drifting snow, as well as wind chills as low as 55 degrees below zero were also observed in other portions of Southcentral Alaska.||The trough closed off into a low pressure system aloft late on December 23 as it began to track westward across Southwest Alaska and into the Eastern Bering Sea, allowing conditions to gradually improve over Southcentral Alaska. The upper level low began to interact with a weak surface low crossing the Alaska Peninsula into Bristol Bay on December 24, dropping snow in both regions. Combined with gusty winds, blowing snow affected portions of Bristol Bay and the Pribilof Islands on the evening of December 24 into the morning of December 25 as the system continued into the eastern Bering Sea. Active weather diminished as the low tracked further west into the Bering Sea over the following days.

December 24, 2022

Blizzard. Koliganek recorded winds of 39G52 mph and heavy snow with 1/4 sm visibility. Platinum and Cape Newenham airports reported frequent low visibilities of 1/2SM or less with winds to 35-53 mph in combination with moderate to heavy snow for a span of 12 hours. Similar conditions were recorded at Dillingham. Due to these conditions, power was knocked out, trees were toppled and phone service was cut off for about a week:https://www.kdlg.org/energy/2021-12-13/power-restored-to-nushagak-cooperatives-service-area-after-nearly-a-week-of-repairs.

December 08, 2021

An intense Bering Sea Storm and a subsequent associated storm produced heavy snow and blizzard conditions across the Bristol Bay region to the Kuskokwim Delta and high wind and blizzard conditions in Anchorage, heavy snow in the Susitna Valley and Blizzard Conditions in Thompson Pass. High wind blew thorugh Cordova downing some trees. The high wind in Anchorage resulting in numerous extended power outages. The heavy snow that followed warmer wet conditions resulted in extremely dangerous travel conditions necessitating closing of the Anchorage School district.

December 11, 2011

Two powerful north Pacific storms moved across the eastern Aleutians beginning December 4th continuing through December 7th. The storms produced winds of 125 mph across the eastern Aleutians and Alaska Peninsula and to 70 to 85 mph across the Bristol Bay area and to around 75 mph in the Pribilof Islands. Extensive damage was reported in the community of Unalaska and Dutch Harbor and significant damage was reported in King Cove and in the communities of St Paul and St George. The APL crane in Dutch Harbor was toppled by the extreme wind.

December 05, 2009

An intense north Pacific storm moved to the central Aleutians with a secondary storm center south of the Alaska Peninsula. High Wind swept through southwest and south central Alaska and along the central Aleutians and Alaska Peninsula. Snow over the central Aleutians combined with the wind resulted in a Blizzard for that region. Wide spread power outages plagued the Kuskokwim Delat with this storm along with roofs being blown off two houses, two housed shifted on their foundation and minor tidal overflow along Kuskokwim Bay. Unconfirmed wind gusts were reported to 127 mph at Sand Point on the Alaska Peninsula with this storm.

January 30, 2007