The Sisters (Alaska)

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The Sisters
The Sisters, Sitka AK.jpg
Southwest aspect from Crescent Harbor, Sitka
Highest point
Elevation 3,838 ft (1,170 m) [1]
Prominence 459 ft (140 m) [1]
Isolation 1.67 mi (2.69 km) [1]
Coordinates 57°06′02″N135°13′12″W / 57.1004816°N 135.2199454°W / 57.1004816; -135.2199454 [2]
Geography
Relief map of USA Alaska.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
The Sisters
Location in Alaska
The Sisters (Alaska)
Interactive map of The Sisters
Location Sitka city-borough
CountryUnited States
State Alaska
Protected area Tongass National Forest
Parent range Alexander Archipelago [3]
Topo map USGS Sitka A-4

The Sisters are mountain summits in Alaska, United States.

Contents

Description

The Sisters are located on the west coast of Baranof Island, approximately five miles (8.0 km) northeast of Sitka. [4] The highest peak reaches an elevation of 3,838 feet (1,170 m). This mountain group is part of the Alexander Archipelago and is set on land managed by Tongass National Forest. [3] Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains to the Indian River and Sitka Sound. Topographic relief is significant as the north slope rises over 3,400 feet (1,036 meters) above an unnamed creek in one mile (1.6 km). The landform's local name was published in 1916 by U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, [4] and the toponym has been officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. [2]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, The Sisters is located in a subpolar oceanic climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and cool summers. [5] Weather systems coming off the Gulf of Alaska are forced upwards by the mountains (orographic lift), causing heavy precipitation in the form of rainfall and snowfall. Winter temperatures can drop below 10 °F with wind chill factors below 0 °F.

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Sisters, The (HP) - 3,838' AK". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  2. 1 2 "The Sisters". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  3. 1 2 "Middle Sister, Alaska". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  4. 1 2 Donald J. Orth, Dictionary of Alaska Place Names, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1967, page 879.
  5. Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11. ISSN   1027-5606.