High Wind and Flash Flood Warnings Issued as Remnants of Bolaven Impact U.S.

Tropical storm Bolavan is nearing Alaska's panhandle, but forecasters expect it to be like many fall storms. This tropical storm was once the second most powerful storm of 2023 but has dissipated rapidly.

The National Hurricane Center is no longer providing updates on this storm that once threatened to dump significant rain totals across Anchorage and Juneau before moving across Canada and the United States as jet stream winds drove it. Bolavan is affecting Southwest Alaska.

High Wind and Flash Flood Warnings Issued

In Juneau, the National Weather Service issued a small craft advisory on Monday afternoon because of a low-pressure system that moved into the Gulf of Alaska on Tuesday morning. They predict that up to 3 inches of rain could fall by Tuesday afternoon. Since the ground is already saturated from recent rains, this could lead to some localized flooding. They urged small craft owners to check their bilge pumps.

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for the Ketchikan, Alaska, area on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. They say that southwest winds will blow about 30 miles an hour throughout Ketchikan Gateway Borough-Annette Island, including the cities of Craig, Klawock, Hydaburg, Coffman Cove, Thorne Bay, Ketchikan and Metlakatla through Tuesday night with gusts up to 60 miles per hour possible.

They have also issued a flash flood warning starting Tuesday evening and continuing through Thursday for the same area. They say the most significant rainfall will occur from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning. The National Weather Service also says the highest rainfall will occur at higher elevations. Gale-force winds may impact the outer coastal area.

The most significant rainfall amounts are expected in the Southwest area of Prince Williams Island as the jet stream meets an advancing warm front. After impacting the region, rain is expected to move into British Columbia and northern Washington state. Forecasters are uncertain of the exact path the warm front will take but expect the highest amounts of rain along it as it pushes to the west. Winds and rains could move as far north as Stephens Passage.

Bolavan will move further to the north as the warm front starts to cool, dumping heavy rain and bringing stronger winds. This sets up conditions for moderate to heavy rainfall throughout the area through Thursday. Therefore, rivers could rise significantly, but forecasters do not expect rivers to reach flood stage.

Light rain could continue through Friday. Behind the storm, winds should shift to the west/northwest.

Tropical Storm Bolavan Impacts Guam

Tropical storm Bolavan peaked in the North Pacific Ocean on Wednesday with maximum sustained winds of 180 miles per hour and gusts up to 215 miles per hour.

Bolavan became a tropical storm on October 10, 2023. The storm rapidly intensified as it moved across the Mariana Islands to become a Category 5 tropical storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Thankfully, the storm's intensification occurred after it passed Guam. The United States Coast Guard positioned boats before the storm to help if the storm devastated Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands. FEMA warned residents of Guam that they should prepare for the storm.

Bolavan passed between the islands of Rota and Saipan on Tuesday night. While officials are thankful that neither island took a direct hit, surfs rose by up to 14 feet, and winds reached 80 miles per hour. Up to 14 inches of rain fell in some areas, with 6 inches typical in many areas. Residents were asked to stay inside their homes.

This area was impacted by a typhoon about two months ago, and the Coast Guard had extra staff helping with the cleanup. Large ships were moved further out to sea.

Future Forecast

Thankfully, the path of Tropical Storm Bolavan, once the second strongest storm of the season, has let it create minimal damage. The storm has dropped below tropical cyclone levels as it impacts Alaska's Prince William Island. In Alaska, rain should continue through Friday, with up to 5 inches of rain possible.

Behind the storm, winds will change direction, and the temperature will drop significantly. Forecasters say rainfall could significantly raise river levels but do not expect floods to develop. The storm should move into British Columbia on Thursday and possibly impact northern Washington state, where significant rainfall and cooler temperatures may occur.

The system will continue to track eastward, where a nor'easter could develop by the end of the week. The areas that are at the greatest risk of weather hazards will depend on the path and strength of the storm, so residents throughout the East Coast U.S. should stay updated and aware of the weather.

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High Wind and Flash Flood Warnings Issued as Remnants of Bolaven Impact U.S.