A series of intense tropically connected storms moved into the eastern Bering Sea beginning January 13th. The storms pushed the warm tropical air over the existing deep arctic air that had been over Alaska since the end of December 2008. High wind, snow, and freezing rain occurred throughout the south central and southwest regions of Alaska while strong north wind and snow produced blizzard conditions in the Pribilof Islands. Wind at higher elevations of the Chugach Mountains exceeded 120 mph. The upper hillside of the Anchorage area had several spotter reports of wind around 110 mph and wind reached 50 mph in east Anchorage. Freezing rain created chaos across the south central region on the 14th and 15th resulting in many vehicles sliding off the road and numerous roll over accidents. Windows were blown out of a local McDonald's and some vehicles. The rapid warming combined with heavy rain resulted in localized flooding in the Anchorage area, Valdez and Girdwood.

High Wind in KODIAK PENINSULA, ALASKA
From 16-JAN-09 09:36:00 to 16-JAN-09 13:36:00 (AKST-9)
Magnitude: 68.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

High Wind in SERN P.W. SND, ALASKA
From 15-JAN-09 00:00:00 to 15-JAN-09 02:00:00 (AKST-9)
Magnitude: 85.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Blizzard in PRIBILOF ISLANDS, ALASKA
From 14-JAN-09 06:57:00 to 16-JAN-09 20:00:00 (AKST-9)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

High Wind in BRISTOL BAY, ALASKA
From 16-JAN-09 08:37:00 to 16-JAN-09 16:54:00 (AKST-9)
Magnitude: 74.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

High Wind in SERN P.W. SND, ALASKA
From 15-JAN-09 23:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 14:00:00 (AKST-9)
Magnitude: 74.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Cordova Boat Harbor measured wind gust to 85 mph.

High Wind in ANCHORAGE MUNI TO BIRD CREEK, ALASKA
From 15-JAN-09 17:30:00 to 16-JAN-09 12:00:00 (AKST-9)
Magnitude: 65.00 MG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Glenn Alps measured 75 mph gust.

High Wind in ANCHORAGE MUNI TO BIRD CREEK, ALASKA
From 13-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 15-JAN-09 09:00:00 (AKST-9)
Magnitude: 91.00 MG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in WRN P.W. SND & KENAI MTNS, ALASKA
From 14-JAN-09 12:53:00 to 14-JAN-09 21:53:00 (AKST-9)
Magnitude: 74.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Blizzard in NERN P.W. SND, ALASKA
From 18-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 19-JAN-09 06:30:00 (AKST-9)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

High Wind in WRN P.W. SND & KENAI MTNS, ALASKA
From 16-JAN-09 03:53:00 to 16-JAN-09 11:00:00 (AKST-9)
Magnitude: 64.00 MG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Blizzard in KUSKOKWIM DELTA, ALASKA
From 16-JAN-09 10:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 15:00:00 (AKST-9)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Multiple observation sites on the Delta reported blizzard conditions.

Flood in ANCHORAGE MUNI TO BIRD CREEK, ALASKA
From 16-JAN-09 17:00:00 to 17-JAN-09 16:00:00 (AKST-9)
Location: ANCHORAGE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Reports from Municipality of Anchorage DOT of flooding on Arctic Blvd at Chester Creek.