Cruise ship dislodged during first ever Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Juneau, Alaska

A rare supercell thunderstorm developed over Southeast Alaska and moved across the Juneau area on June 16, prompting the first-ever Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for the city.

The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Juneau issued the warning at 15:26 local time (LT), relying on satellite images and lightning detection networks because the area has limited radar coverage.

Wind gusts reached up to 95 km/h (60 mph) in downtown Juneau, while other locations such as the Coast Guard station reported gusts over 75 km/h (47 mph). The storm also produced hail in parts of the city, qualifying it as a severe thunderstorm under NWS criteria.

The strong winds downed trees in the Mendenhall Valley and blew a canopy in the Twin Lakes area. Strong gusts pushed a cruise ship away from its moorings while it was docked at the Port of Juneau, causing it to briefly drift into the Gastineau Channel before it was brought back under control.

Matt Creswell, the city’s harbormaster, said that the wind speed was too much for the lines that tied the ship to the dock, and some broke free. The cruise ship staff then fully untied the vessel to prevent damage to the dock. 

“This was the perfect, literally, the perfect storm,” said Cresswell. “With the direction of the wind hitting the ship broadside at its moorings and exceeding the capacity that the lines were made to handle.”

The ship was able to dock again once the winds died down and there was no damage to the infrastructure. 

Thunderstorms rarely form in this region due to the lack of heat and space they need to develop. Juneau’s northern location and the presence of a large ice field nearby keep temperatures low and prevent storm clouds from rising high enough to grow.

The last warning that the region received for a severe thunderstorm was issued nearly six years ago by the NWS Juneau office for Misty Fjords in June 2019. While damage assessments are ongoing, no injuries or fatalities have been reported.

Brian Bezenek, lead meteorologist at the Juneau NWS office, said the office was aware that the storm was traveling north through the panhandle early Monday morning. But by the time it reached Juneau, the storm’s force surprised him. 

“We were issuing marine statements for thunderstorms in the inner channel, so we were tracking those,” said Beznek. “The intensity was not something we had any larger indications that they were that strong.”

Harsh Vardhan

My passions include trying my best to save a dying planet, be it through carpooling or by spreading awareness about it. Research comes naturally to me, complemented by a keen interest in writing and journalism. Guided by a curious mind and a drive to look beyond the surface, I strive to bring thoughtful attention and clarity to subjects across Earth, sciences, environment, and everything in between.

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