Thread: Bering Sea Superstorm Slamming West Alaska

Bering Sea Superstorm Slamming West Alaska

by Tim Ballisty, Editorial Meteorologist
Updated: November 9, 2011 11:15 am ET

Storm in Progress

The Bering Sea Superstorm is currently in progress; punishing the west Alaska coast with hurricane-force winds, destructive waves and surge, severe erosion and blowing snow. The storm will continue to unleash its fury for the better part of Wednesday.

We will publish some of the latest storm reports such as peak wind gusts and surge levels. You'll also find a live Twitter feed of those tracking this significant and potentially historic storm.

Reports of widespread power outages along the west coast of Alaska (source: NWS Alaska Facebook page)

Wales, Alaska: Gust to 89 mph at 2:21am Alaska Time

Nome, Alaska: Storm surge up to 6 feet and rising as of 2am Alaska Time

Tin City, Alaska: 85 mph as of midnight Alaska Time

Savoonga, Alaska: 76 mph as of midnight Alaska Time

Cape Lisburne, Alaska: 75 mph as of midnight Alaska Time

Has the potential to produce widespread damage...

One of the most severe Bering Sea storms on record...

Extremely dangerous and life-threatening storm...

Got your attention?

The National Weather Service in Alaska states that an historic hurricane-force storm system is moving into the Bering Sea on Tuesday. The storm, which is forecast to have sustained winds of 80 mph over an area the size of Colorado, is also predicted to produce storm surge effects on the Alaskan coast 8 to 10 feet above normal water levels. The Alaskan city of Nome is taking a hard hit.

Imagery of Storm Moving into Bering Sea

Superstorm in Action: A satellite loop showing the storm approach and enter the Bering Sea on Tuesday, November 8 into Wednesday, November 9, 2011.
Source: http://pafg.arh.noaa.gov

The storm began its travels earlier this week just east of Japan. During the past 24 to 48 hours, the storm has intensified as it moved northeast toward Alaska and the Bering Sea. The central pressure appears to have bottomed out around 944 mb early Wednesday morning. This is roughly the central pressure of Hurricane Irene at its maximum intensity (942 mb)!

Blizzard conditions will be common across inland western Alaska.

Offshore, waves have been reported as high as 40 feet, and dangerous heavy freezing spray will affect the Bering and Chukchi Seas. Waves of 15 to 25 feet are expected to crash along portions of the coastline.

The current lack of sea ice in the Bering Sea will allow this storm to maximize its impact. Ice typically acts as a natural barrier that mitigates the effects of destructive wave action and coastal flooding along the shoreline.

View Latest Alaska Severe Weather Alerts

Latest Alaska Infrared Satellite Imagery

The latest satellite imagery over Alaska. The deeper the orange colors indicate higher clouds tops and the likelihood of enhanced precipitation. Enlarge and animate

Per the National Weather Service, this storm could be historic for Alaska and is comparable to the November 11-12, 1974, Bering Sea storm that remains the most severe in Nome in 113 years of record keeping.

Major differences between the 1974 storm and this upcoming storm include the fact that tides were much greater in the 1974 storm.

However, sea ice extent is currently much lower than it was in 1974, thus providing no protection along the coast and greater fetch.

See Special Weather Statement from the NWS

Surge Forecast

Surge forecast map created by the National Weather Service released on Tuesday morning, November 8, 2011. This shows a pronounced surge (between 4 and 10 feet) affecting the west coast of Alaska from Tuesday night through Wednesday evening. Source: NWS

Severe beach erosion and major coastal flooding is predicted along the Chukchi Sea coast from Cape Krusenstern Northwest.

The National Weather Service even warns that the village of Kivalina will be highly vulnerable to damage caused by the erosion and flooding. Kivalina is on a barrier island that has been eroding away for decades. Enough sustained and powerful winds from the southwest could truly destroy the village. Other barrier islands vulnerable to the tremendous onshore fetch will likely be lost also.

Meanwhile, storm surge is expected to extensive; ranging bewteen 4 and 10 feet along various parts of the west coast. The city of Nome, Alaska dealt with a 5 foot storm surge during hte 1974 storm. Low-lying areas of the city were inundated. This storm is forecast to produce an SEVEN foot storm surge later Wednesday evening.

http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather- ... 2011-11-08

Powerful Storm Pummels Western Alaska

By WILLIAM YARDLEY
Published: November 9, 2011

A powerful storm with hurricane-force winds slammed into western Alaska on Wednesday, causing power failures in some tiny coastal villages and warnings that the area could suffer major flooding.

In a Tuesday forecast, the National Weather Service described the storm as “extremely dangerous and life-threateningâ€