Amplified wind events are identified over the Brooks Range in Alaska, with observed wind speed increasing from calm to 5 ms-1 over 24 to 36 hours. In simulations using an limited area climate system model, the wind events are captured consistently, although generally display greater strength than observed. Cooling associated with the wind events lead to an identification of the NE region of the North Slope of Alaska, below the inversion, as the source region for the air flow. Analysis of the wind event of 7th January 1992 supports the nonlinear hydraulic model of gravity waves. ¿ 1997 American Geophysical Union