Hurricane-Force Storm In North Pacific Ocean

news image
Special Stories
31 Dec 2021 6:21 AM
An incredibly-strong storm system in the Northern Pacific Ocean is making history as one of the strongest to plow through this part of the world in modern records! The infrared satellite picture on Thursday morning, December 31st showed the intense swirl (left) of the strong Pacific storm. The storm, pictured left in the image above, had an intense swirl as seen by infrared satellite on Thursday morning, New Year's Eve. The wrapped up "comma shape" indicated this storm was in its mature stage, with a falling low pressure. https://twitter.com/NWSOPC/status/1344676414805606401 As of Thursday morning, the central pressure had dropped to 921 millibars. For reference, Hurricane Eta dropped to a pressure of 927 millibars on November 2nd while the storm was about 50 miles east of Nicaragua. At that time, Eta had maximum sustained winds of 150 miles per hour! While this current storm system in the North Pacific Ocean is completely different, it is still producing hurricane-force wind across the open sea. https://twitter.com/NWSOPC/status/1344674595769466883 According to the Ocean Prediction Center, the storm had reached a maximum (estimated) intensity of 95 knots. Converting that to miles per hour, that means the storm peaked with winds around 105-110 mph! Fortunately, the storm is over the open North Pacific Ocean and will mainly affect the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. https://twitter.com/NWSAnchorage/status/1344082444354428928 According to the National Weather Service office in Anchorage, Alaska this storm is the strongest area of low pressure to hit the Bering Sea since 2014! The National Weather Service office in Fairbanks, Alaska says this storm may even be the strongest to ever hit the area! https://twitter.com/NWSFairbanks/status/1344559032997089280 If this storm system becomes stronger and the central pressure drops further, we'll let you know! What a way to end 2020!
All Weather News
More
Fronts Continue To Spark Severe Weather Across the Plains

Fronts Continue To Spark Severe Weather Across the Plains

A cold front that brought record lows to the

18 Jul 2025 10:40 PM
Extreme Heat Impacts for the East Coast & South

Extreme Heat Impacts for the East Coast & South

Extreme heat continues to impact several area

18 Jul 2025 10:05 PM
Flooding Threat Remains Elevated in the East

Flooding Threat Remains Elevated in the East

A cold front pushing through the Eastern Seab

18 Jul 2025 9:10 PM
EF-2 Firenado from the Deer Creek Fire in Utah

EF-2 Firenado from the Deer Creek Fire in Utah

A fire tornado was spotted near La Sal, Utah

18 Jul 2025 7:30 AM
Tropical System Brings Flood Risk to the Central Gulf

Tropical System Brings Flood Risk to the Central Gulf

Time has run out for notable tropical develop

18 Jul 2025 3:05 AM
Heavy Rain, Flooding Threat Returns to Florida

Heavy Rain, Flooding Threat Returns to Florida

Keep the rain boots handy in Florida - heavy

13 Jul 2025 12:50 PM
Severe Storm Risk Pushes into the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley

Severe Storm Risk Pushes into the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley

Friday was another busy day with severe weath

12 Jul 2025 8:00 PM