Massive Storm Brings Snow And Category Three Hurricane Force Winds

Over the past couple weeks, there have been some notable storms across the United States.  Locations along the front range of the Rockies such as Denver, Colorado have seen a couple snowstorms already while the Northeastern United States experienced its biggest October snowfall on record when a Nor’easter came up the coast two days before Halloweeen.  For the state of Alaska, these storms are commonplace even this time of year.

However, earlier this week, the worst storm to hit that state in 40 years, came roaring ashore with blinding snow, tremendous winds, and even storm surge.  The storm was the most powerful since a Bering Sea storm back in 1974.  It generated a 10 foot storm surge along with blizzard conditions thanks to blinding snow and 100 mile per hour winds according to a post to the weather blog on CNN.

The Huffington Post stated that emergency responders dealing with the storm said it was one of “epic proportions.”  There was coastal flooding while roofs were torn up, and power lines were downed.   I had seen some video footage of the storm from several morning shows on the cable news circuit, and it reminded me of the part of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer when Burl Ives, playing the part of the lovable snowman telling the story said, “the storm of storms.”

This massive and powerful storm has passed, and is now being replaced by a much weaker storm with winds only between 20 to 40 miles per hour.  However, the energy from this historic system is being transferred further to the south and east, and is expected to impact the Canadian province of British Columbia within the next day or two.  Parts as far south as Oregon could also be affected.  While the storm, which is forecast to break up into several parts, will not be as strong, it could be the most powerful storm to strike the Northwest this season. 

Places from Norton Sound to Point Hope along the West Coast of Alaska such as Kivalina, Tununak, and Kipnuk were hard hit.  Many flights to Western Alaska out of Ted Stevens International Aiport in Anchorage were cancelled.  The surge levels from this storm rivaled only the 1913 storm.  The system was forecast to bring up to 8 inches of snow to Anchorage.  The year of weather extremes continues across the United States, and is no longer limited to the lower 48 states.