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 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.
Here is the latest imagery of the #hurricaneforce low in the Pacific nearing the Bering Sea. Winds to 95 kts and wave heights over 50 ft are expected! pic.twitter.com/0lQs9l6Yl4
— NWS OPC (@NWSOPC) December 31, 2020
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.
Here is the latest surface analysis showing a strong storm with winds to #hurricaneforce moving toward the Bering Sea. The central pressure is 921 MB making it one of the strongest storms to ever impact the North Pacific. Winds are expected to reach 95 kts near the low center! pic.twitter.com/9lM2U6KGPq
— NWS OPC (@NWSOPC) December 31, 2020
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.
We're saying goodbye to 2020 with the strongest Bering low since Typhoon Nuri in 2014! Waters near the Aleutians can expect hurricane force winds and seas between 40 & 50ft! A High Wind Warning has been issued from Atka to Adak for wind gusts up to 85 mph Thurs morning. #AKwx pic.twitter.com/8hRxf6N4bf
— NWS Anchorage (@NWSAnchorage) December 30, 2020
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!
You may have heard about a potential record breaking Bering Sea storm, so here is some information on it. Thankfully, this storm is expected to stay far enough west that it will not bring hazardous weather to most of Northern AK. Stay tuned for awesome satellite imagery!#akwx pic.twitter.com/OukyWGbxSI
— NWS Fairbanks (@NWSFairbanks) December 31, 2020
If this storm system becomes stronger and the central pressure drops further, we’ll let you know! What a way to end 2020!