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Western Alaska is preparing for another powerful Bering Sea storm as the remnants of Typhoon Champi move toward the region, threatening coastal communities already dealing with flooding, erosion and infrastructure damage from earlier October storms.
The National Weather Service (NWS) expects the former typhoon to enter the Bering Sea on Wednesday, October 28, before reaching Alaska’s western coast Thursday into Friday. Offshore seas could reach 29 feet, according to the NWS Anchorage forecast.
- Former Typhoon Champi is forecast to enter the Bering Sea on October 28, with offshore waves reaching 29 feet and coastal flooding possible through Friday.
- Hooper Bay faces water levels 4-6 feet above normal high tide, while communities including Kivalina and Nome are recovering from storm damage and power outages.
- An unexpected 2-4 degree temperature difference brought heavy snow to Fairbanks, while another round of strong winds threatens the Alaska Range and Aleutian Islands.
A Coastal Flood Watch for Hooper Bay covers Thursday morning through late Friday night. Water levels could rise 4-6 feet above the normal high tide line, potentially flooding low-lying areas, including the road providing access to the airport.
The approaching system is the third significant storm to affect parts of Western Alaska in roughly a week. Forecasters are particularly concerned about beaches and coastal bluffs weakened by previous erosion, leaving communities vulnerable to additional damage before recovery efforts are complete.
Unexpected snowfall disrupts Interior Alaska
Before Champi’s arrival, Interior Alaska experienced heavier snowfall than anticipated after temperatures remained 2-4 degrees colder than forecast.
In its October 26 forecast discussion, issued at 2:57 p.m. AKDT, the NWS Fairbanks office reported approximately 5 inches of new snow at its University of Alaska Fairbanks campus location by 2 p.m.
Storm totals across much of the Fairbanks North Star Borough were expected to reach 4-8 inches.
Conditions were more severe along the southern slopes of the Central Brooks Range, where a Winter Storm Warning covered two separate periods of snowfall. The first delivered 4-8 inches from Saturday into Sunday morning, followed by another 4-8 inches on Monday after a temporary break.
Combined accumulations were forecast at 8-16 inches. The warnings expired at 10 p.m. AKDT Monday.
As snowfall subsides, freezing temperatures pose another transportation hazard. Clearing skies Tuesday night into Wednesday were expected to push temperatures into the teens and 20s, causing accumulated slush to refreeze on roads.
Strong winds are also expected across the Alaska Range. A Wind Advisory covering mountain passes runs from 7 a.m. Wednesday until 7 a.m. Thursday, with southerly gusts reaching 65 mph. Forecasters warned that gusts exceeding 70 mph could return between Thursday and Saturday.
Bering Sea storm forecast brings waves up to 29 feet
Marine forecasts indicate particularly hazardous conditions across the Bering Sea as Champi’s remnants interact with another low-pressure system.
On Tuesday, seas were forecast at 14-26 feet between 171 degrees west longitude and the International Date Line, north of 56 degrees north latitude, under a Gale Warning.
Conditions could deteriorate again after a short break, with seas south of 56 degrees north forecast to reach 15-29 feet Thursday and 21-28 feet Friday.
NWS wave forecasts represent the average height of the highest one-third of waves, meaning individual waves can exceed the published figures.
A persistent high-pressure ridge over the northeastern Pacific has been directing successive storms toward Western Alaska. Champi’s remnants are expected to merge with another low before entering the Bering Sea, with central pressure forecast at approximately 960-970 millibars.
The pattern follows an earlier October storm influenced by the remnants of Typhoon Choi-wan, which also contributed to hazardous Bering Sea conditions.
The latest storm arrives during an important period for Alaska’s commercial fishing industry.
Bering Sea crab seasons opened October 15, with approximately 45 vessels expected to participate. The season could generate more than $250 mn in value, according to KUCB.
For Wednesday, NWS Anchorage estimated a 40-80% probability of wind gusts exceeding 60 mph across the Aleutian Islands, presenting substantial risks for fishing vessels operating offshore.
Kivalina, Nome and Hooper Bay face further coastal hazards
Communities along Alaska’s western and northwestern coasts are still addressing damage from Friday’s storm.
In Kivalina, a construction tower collapsed onto power lines, disrupting electricity supplies. Approximately 175 residents spent the night at the local school, according to the State Emergency Operations Center, as reported by Alaska’s News Source.
Part of the village remained without electricity Monday, affecting the water treatment plant. The Alaska Village Electric Cooperative said repair crews were being dispatched to Kivalina, Shishmaref and Goodnews Bay.
Transportation infrastructure also suffered damage. The Nome-Council Road was closed at Mile 17 following a washout.
New weather warnings have added to the pressure on affected communities. A High Wind Warning for the Bering Strait Coast, Diomede and St. Lawrence Island remained in effect until 4 p.m. AKDT Tuesday, with gusts potentially reaching 60 mph.
High Surf Advisories covering the coastline from Kivalina to the Yukon Delta were scheduled to remain active until 4 a.m. Wednesday.
Breaking waves could push water 2-4 feet above the normal high tide line across affected areas, with levels of 3-5 feet possible at Elim.
A separate Hydrologic Outlook identified elevated stream levels between Nome and Council, although flooding was not forecast. The greatest exposure is concentrated in low-lying coastal settlements, properties near eroding shorelines and communities dependent on limited electricity supplies for heating and water services.
Travelers using the Nome-Council Road, Alaska Range highways or exposed marine routes also face hazardous conditions.
Champi’s track near Nunivak Island could reduce Norton Sound flooding
The precise path of the former typhoon remains an important source of uncertainty in forecasts for Western Alaska.
Recent weather models have concentrated the likely storm track near Nunivak Island. Such a route would produce predominantly offshore winds north of Hooper Bay, potentially limiting coastal flooding across Norton Sound.
Elevated water levels would still be possible, however, and forecasters expect shoreline erosion to remain a significant concern.
The NWS cautioned that it was too early to establish specific impacts for every community. Depending on subsequent forecasts, existing watches could be expanded, upgraded to warnings or discontinued.
Residents have been advised to monitor official NWS forecasts and Alaska 511 road information before traveling, secure loose outdoor objects and move equipment away from vulnerable shorelines ahead of Thursday’s high tides.
Motorists should avoid driving through floodwater of unknown depth. Residents whose properties have sustained storm damage should document the damage with photographs and report it to local authorities.
Any evacuation decisions should follow instructions from local emergency management officials, particularly in coastal communities facing renewed flooding and erosion risks.
