Tornadoes in the U.S. state of Alaska are extremely rare, with only six tornadoes ever recorded within state boundaries. Out of the six tornadoes to ever hit, all were rated FU, EFU, F0 or EF0, and none have caused significant damage or injuries.
Climatology
editThunderstorms are fairly rare in most of Alaska, but do occur in the interior in the summer with some frequency and may cause wildfires. Anchorage gets a thunderstorm every few years. There has even been the rare thunderstorm in Utqiaġvik on the Arctic coast. While weak tornadoes and waterspouts, while extremely rare, do sometimes occur, Alaska is considered the least tornado-prone state in the United States.[1]
Events
editTornadoes
edit- November 4, 1959 – A brief and weak tornado touched down on the south side of Kayak Island, causing minor damage to trees.[2]
- August 26, 1976 – An extremely weak tornado moved through uninhabited portions of northwestern Alaska, causing no damage.[2]
- June 14, 2004 – 2 brief tornadoes touched down near Bethel, causing minor damage.[3]
- June 18, 2004 – A weak tornado moved through mountanous portions of Western Alaska, causing no damage.[4]
- August 1, 2009 – A brief FU tornado touched down east of Nome, causing little damage to trees.[5]
- April 19, 2024 – An extremely rare and brief tornado formed outside of Rusty Point, briefly lifting before touching down near the peak of a small mountain located in Chugach State Park. This tornado was well-documented, and may have been a landspout.[6]
Waterspouts
edit- December 3, 2007 – Multiple waterspouts were documented by observers in Shelter Island, and none were given an official rating.[7][2]
- February 8, 2008 – A brief waterspout was reported by multiple observers, although it is unknown if it ever touched down.[2]
- October 25, 2009 – At least 5 brief waterspouts moved through areas north of Ruth Island, and one hit an uninhabited island.[8]
- September 24, 2010 – A relatively long-tracked waterspout moved through the waters off the coast of Sitka, causing no damage. This tornado was never witnessed by an observer, but was confirmed by Doppler radar.[9][2]
- November 1, 2010 – A brief waterspout moved through the offshore regions of Lodge Island, and received an FU rating.[10]
References
edit- ^ "A Clap of Thunder". www.john-daly.com.
- ^ a b c d e "Storm Events Database | National Centers for Environmental Information". www.ncdc.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ Sistek, Scott (2024-04-25). "Rare tornado spotted in Alaska's Chugach State Park may only be state's 5th on record". FOX Weather. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ "Storm Prediction Center Maps, Graphics, and Data Page". www.spc.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ "Storm Events Database | National Centers for Environmental Information". www.ncdc.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ Sistek, Scott (2024-04-25). "Rare tornado spotted in Alaska's Chugach State Park may only be state's 5th on record". FOX Weather. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ "Storm Events Database | National Centers for Environmental Information". www.ncdc.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ "Storm Events Database | National Centers for Environmental Information". www.ncdc.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ "Data submission – Tornado Archive". 2023-05-20. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ "Storm Events Database | National Centers for Environmental Information". www.ncdc.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2024-05-24.