A sudden squall that moved through Juneau and Upper Lynn Canal on Monday afternoon was so severe that a cruise ship broke free of its lines and drifted before the crew got the engines started and stabilized the ship. Visitors on the tram to the top of Mount Roberts found their cars swaying in the storm that passed through quickly.
The Celebrity Edge was tied up to the AJ dock, when the lines snapped.
The squall came up suddenly, taking the bright sunny day to dark clouds and hail — rarely seen in Juneau at any time of year.
The US Coast Guard has requested video from those who observed the ship adrift (contact them here: [email protected]).
Here are two videos that show the drama of the unusual weather event:
One commenter noted that this is the type of gale-force wind that is common in the fall and winter, but rarely seen in the summer. Another view, from a deck on Douglas Island:
