2019-20 Alaskan Arctic Cyclone Season

The 2019-20 is an annual event of polar cyclone formation. While formation is more typical from September to March, the formation of 01A in July proves that polar cyclone formation is possible at any time of the year.

Subpolar Storm Acton
In late June, a non-tropical low pressure area located near Wainwright, Alaska showed some potential for subpolar cyclone formation. The area of low pressure would eventually become more symmetrical and have a wintry mix of precipitation happening inside it. Enough wintry precipitation was recorded in the system for the HTMC to classify the system at a very high latitude of 71.2&deg;N and a longitude of 159.0&deg;W on July 2. The depression would slowly strengthen over the next to achieve winds of 30 kt (35 mph) and a central pressure of 993 mbar. Later in the day on July 3, the system strengthened enough to become a subpolar storm and get the name Acton. The storm would peak as a 45 mph subpolar storm with a central pressure of 985 mbar on 00:00 UTC, July 4. Shortly after peak intensity the system started to encounter increasing wind shear and then gradually began to weaken. By 06:00 UTC, July 5, the system was downgraded to a subpolar depression after its very ragged appearance on satellite imagery no longer supported polar storm intensity. Shortly before landfall in Banks Island at 00:00 UTC, July 6, the system degenerated into a polar low as it remained without sufficiently organized rain and snow bands for twelve hours. Shortly after the remnants left Banks Island they dissipated completely due to the extremely high shear ridden environment.