Cyclone Palkia(2019)

Cyclone Palkia was the 1st Named Storm and 1st Cyclone of the 2019 Lucarius Pacific Cyclone Season. Palkia is the earliest forming named storm and the strongest cyclone to Exist in the Lucarius Pacific during the month of January. It is also the second northern-most cyclone on record at 59.83N only bested by Cyclone Torracat of 2018(61.48N).

Palkia originated from a decaying frontal system that merged with an Upper level low, South of Alaska on December 30, 2018. This prompted the formation of Subtropical Storm Palkia on January 3. The system moved generally eastward while slowly intensifying though failing to acquire Tropical characteristics. Subsequent ridging to it's Southeast prompted a Northward turn with a slight deviation to the east. The system interacted with another Frontal system associated with a low pressure that was over Alaska. Despite predictions of it's demise because of this, the system strengthened to Subtropical Cyclone status and moved generally West-Northwestward. Finally the storm made a landfall in Alaska before subsequently making a 12 hour Sub-Polar transition. However, it transitioned to an Extratropical Cyclone later that same day and was absorbed by a larger Extratropical Cyclone on January 12.

Palkia did prompt Cyclone Watches and Warnings and a small number of schools in Anchorage were closed. In addition, Kenai Fjords National Park, Chugach National Forest and Chugach State Park were all shut down for a day. Overall, impact was minimal. Minor flooding was observed and 3 deaths were counted, all of which were due to flooding or indirect effects. Damages were totaled as $1.2 million.