Alert archive / Alaska / Gale Warnings in 2011

Gale Warning 163, NWS Anchorage, AK

January 31, 2011

NWS Anchorage, AK issued this gale warning at Jan 31, 2011, 4:00 PM AKST. It was in force for 36 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jan 31, 2011, 4:00 PM AKST (01:00 UTC)
Expired
Feb 2, 2011, 4:00 AM AKST
In force
36 hr
Issued by
NWS Anchorage, AK

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

330 
FZAK52 PAFC 010022
CWFALU

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE ALASKA
400 PM AKST MON JAN 31 2011

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST FOR SOUTHWEST ALASKA+BRISTOL BAY+THE
ALASKA PENINSULA WATERS AND THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS UP TO 100 NM OUT.

WIND FORECASTS REFLECT THE PREDOMINANT SPEED AND DIRECTION
EXPECTED. SEA FORECASTS REPRESENT AN AVERAGE OF THE HIGHEST
ONE-THIRD OF THE COMBINED WIND WAVE AND SWELL HEIGHT.

PKZ199-011500-
400 PM AKST MON JAN 31 2011
.SYNOPSIS FOR SOUTHWEST ALASKA+BRISTOL BAY+THE ALASKA
PENINSULA WATERS AND THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS...

A 989 MB LOW 240 NM SOUTHEAST OF SHEMYA WILL STRENGTHEN TO 977 MB 90
NM SOUTHEAST OF SHEMYA TUE AFTERNOON AND THEN WEAKEN TO 984 MB 180 
NM NORTHEAST OF SHEMYA WED AFTERNOON. 

$$

PKZ150-011500-
COASTAL WATERS SOUTH OF THE ALASKA PENINSULA SITKINAK TO CASTLE
CAPE
400 PM AKST MON JAN 31 2011

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N WIND 15 KT INCREASING TO 25 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. 
SEAS 8 FT. 
.TUE...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 10 FT. 
.TUE NIGHT...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 12 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.WED...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 11 FT. 
.WED NIGHT...N WIND 20 KT. SEAS 11 FT. 
.THU...NW WIND 20 KT. SEAS 10 FT. 
.FRI AND SAT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 11 FT.  

$$

PKZ155-011500-
COASTAL WATERS SOUTH OF THE ALASKA PENINSULA CASTLE CAPE TO CAPE
SARICHEF
400 PM AKST MON JAN 31 2011

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N WIND 15 KT INCREASING TO 25 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. 
SEAS 6 FT. 
.TUE AND TUE NIGHT...N WIND 25 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.WED AND WED NIGHT...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.THU...NW WIND 15 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.FRI...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.SAT...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 12 FT.  

$$

PKZ160-011500-
BRISTOL BAY WATERS CAPE NEWENHAM TO PORT HEIDEN
400 PM AKST MON JAN 31 2011

...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 6 FT. HEAVY
FREEZING SPRAY. 
.TUE...NW WIND 30 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 7 FT. HEAVY FREEZING
SPRAY. 
.TUE NIGHT...N WIND 30 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 7 FT. HEAVY
FREEZING SPRAY. 
.WED...N WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 6 FT. 
.WED NIGHT...N WIND 20 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 4 FT. 
.THU...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 3 FT. 
.FRI AND SAT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 6 FT.  

$$

PKZ165-011500-
PORT HEIDEN TO CAPE SARICHEF
400 PM AKST MON JAN 31 2011

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TUESDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N WIND 10 KT INCREASING TO 20 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS 5
FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.TUE...N WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.TUE NIGHT...N WIND 30 KT. SEAS 11 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.WED...N WIND 20 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.WED NIGHT...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 5 FT. 
.THU...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 4 FT. 
.FRI AND SAT...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 9 FT.  

$$

PKZ180-011500-
SOUTHWEST ALASKA WATERS CAPE NEWENHAM TO DALL POINT
400 PM AKST MON JAN 31 2011

...BRISK WIND ADVISORY TUESDAY...

.TONIGHT...NW WIND 20 KT. 
.TUE...NW WIND 25 KT. 
.TUE NIGHT...NW WIND 20 KT. 
.WED...NE WIND 20 KT. 
.WED NIGHT AND THU...NE WIND 15 KT. 
.FRI...SE WIND 15 KT. 
.SAT...E WIND 20 KT.  

$$

PKZ170-011500-
EASTERN ALEUTIANS CAPE SARICHEF TO NIKOLSKI
400 PM AKST MON JAN 31 2011

.TONIGHT...NE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 5 FT. 
.TUE...NE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 6 FT. 
.TUE NIGHT...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS 6 FT. 
.WED...E WIND 15 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.WED NIGHT AND THU...VARIABLE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.FRI...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 11 FT. 
.SAT...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 15 FT.  

$$

PKZ171-011500-
UNALASKA BAY
400 PM AKST MON JAN 31 2011

.TONIGHT...NE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 3 FT. 
.TUE...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 4 FT. 
.TUE NIGHT...NE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 3 FT. 
.WED...E WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.WED NIGHT AND THU...VARIABLE WIND LESS THAN 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.FRI...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS 3 FT. 
.SAT...SE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 3 FT.  

$$

PKZ172-011500-
EASTERN ALEUTIANS NIKOLSKI TO ADAK
400 PM AKST MON JAN 31 2011

...GALE WARNING TUESDAY...

.TONIGHT...E WIND 20 KT INCREASING TO 30 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. 
SEAS 9 FT. 
.TUE...SE WIND 35 KT. SEAS 14 FT. RAIN AND SNOW. 
.TUE NIGHT...S WIND 30 KT. SEAS 13 FT. RAIN AND SNOW. 
.WED...S WIND 25 KT. SEAS 12 FT. 
.WED NIGHT...S WIND 20 KT. SEAS 10 FT. 
.THU...SE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.FRI...E WIND 35 KT. SEAS 15 FT. 
.SAT...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 14 FT.  

$$

PKZ175-011500-
WESTERN ALEUTIANS ADAK TO KISKA
400 PM AKST MON JAN 31 2011

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SE WIND 35 KT. SEAS 13 FT. SNOW AND RAIN. 
.TUE...S WIND 45 KT. SEAS 13 FT BERING SIDE...20 FT PACIFIC SIDE.
RAIN AND SNOW. 
.TUE NIGHT...S WIND 45 KT. SEAS 21 FT. SNOW AND RAIN. 
.WED AND WED NIGHT...W WIND 30 KT. SEAS 14 FT. 
.THU...VARIABLE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.FRI...NE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 12 FT. 
.SAT...NE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 11 FT.  

$$

PKZ176-011500-
WESTERN ALEUTIANS KISKA TO ATTU
400 PM AKST MON JAN 31 2011

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N WIND 25 KT INCREASING TO 35 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS 11
FT. SNOW. 
.TUE...E WIND 30 KT EXCEPT N 45 KT FROM SHEMYA W. SEAS 17 FT. SNOW
AND RAIN. 
.TUE NIGHT...N WIND 30 KT BECOMING NW 40 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. FROM
SHEMYA W...N WIND 45 KT. SEAS 19 FT. SNOW SHOWERS. 
.WED...NW WIND 35 KT. SEAS 16 FT. 
.WED NIGHT...NW WIND 30 KT. SEAS 14 FT. 
.THU...VARIABLE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.FRI...N WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.SAT...NE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT.  

$$

PKZ185-011500-
ST MATTHEW ISLAND WATERS
400 PM AKST MON JAN 31 2011

...BRISK WIND ADVISORY TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...W WIND 20 KT BECOMING S AFTER MIDNIGHT. 
.TUE...S WIND 20 KT. 
.TUE NIGHT...E OF SAINT MATTHEW ISLAND...S WIND 15 KT. W OF SAINT
MATTHEW ISLAND...S WIND 20 KT BECOMING SE 30 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. 
.WED AND WED NIGHT...SE WIND 30 KT. 
.THU...SE WIND 25 KT. 
.FRI...SE WIND 15 KT. 
.SAT...E WIND 25 KT.  

$$

PKZ179-011500-
PRIBILOF ISLANDS NEAR-SHORE WATERS
400 PM AKST MON JAN 31 2011

.TONIGHT...SE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 5 FT. 
.TUE...E WIND 15 KT. SEAS 5 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.TUE NIGHT...SE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 6 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.WED AND WED NIGHT...SE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.THU...SE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 6 FT. 
.FRI...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.SAT...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 11 FT.  

$$
3 follow-up statements
593 
FZAK52 PAFC 011249
CWFALU

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE ALASKA
400 AM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST FOR SOUTHWEST ALASKA+BRISTOL BAY+THE
ALASKA PENINSULA WATERS AND THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS UP TO 100 NM OUT.

WIND FORECASTS REFLECT THE PREDOMINANT SPEED AND DIRECTION
EXPECTED. SEA FORECASTS REPRESENT AN AVERAGE OF THE HIGHEST
ONE-THIRD OF THE COMBINED WIND WAVE AND SWELL HEIGHT.

PKZ199-020300-
400 AM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011
.SYNOPSIS FOR SOUTHWEST ALASKA+BRISTOL BAY+THE ALASKA
PENINSULA WATERS AND THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS...

HIGH PRESSURE OVER THE CENTRAL BERING SEA WILL SLIDE EAST OVER THE
EASTERN BERING SEA THROUGH WED NIGHT. A 982 MB LOW 125 NM S OF
AMCHITKA WILL MOVE TO 75 NM N OF AMCHITKA AT 981 MB TUE NIGHT. THE
LOW WILL THEN MOVE TO 375 NM N OF AMCHITKA AT 988 MB WED NIGHT.

$$

PKZ150-020300-
COASTAL WATERS SOUTH OF THE ALASKA PENINSULA SITKINAK TO CASTLE
CAPE
400 AM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

.TODAY...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.TONIGHT...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 9 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.WED...NW WIND 30 KT. SEAS 11 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.WED NIGHT...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 11 FT. 
.THU...NW WIND 20 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.FRI...NE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.SAT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 14 FT.  

$$

PKZ155-020300-
COASTAL WATERS SOUTH OF THE ALASKA PENINSULA CASTLE CAPE TO CAPE
SARICHEF
400 AM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

.TODAY...N WIND 25 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.TONIGHT...N WIND 25 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.WED...N WIND 20 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.WED NIGHT...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.THU...NW WIND 15 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.FRI...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.SAT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 13 FT.  

$$

PKZ160-020300-
BRISTOL BAY WATERS CAPE NEWENHAM TO PORT HEIDEN
400 AM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY...
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

.TODAY...NW WIND 30 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 7 FT. HEAVY FREEZING
SPRAY. 
.TONIGHT...N WIND 30 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 6 FT. HEAVY
FREEZING SPRAY. 
.WED...N WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 5 FT. HEAVY FREEZING
SPRAY. 
.WED NIGHT...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 5 FT. 
.THU...NW WIND 20 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 4 FT.
.FRI...E WIND 15 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 3 FT. 
.SAT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 6 FT.  

$$

PKZ165-020300-
PORT HEIDEN TO CAPE SARICHEF
400 AM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...N WIND 25 KT. SEAS 7 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.TONIGHT...N WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.WED...N WIND 20 KT. SEAS 7 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.WED NIGHT...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 5 FT. 
.THU...W WIND 15 KT. SEAS 4 FT. 
.FRI...SE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.SAT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 14 FT.  

$$

PKZ180-020300-
SOUTHWEST ALASKA WATERS CAPE NEWENHAM TO DALL POINT
400 AM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

.TODAY...NW WIND 20 KT. 
.TONIGHT...NW WIND 15 KT. 
.WED...N WIND 15 KT. 
.WED NIGHT AND THU...E WIND 15 KT. 
.FRI...SE WIND 10 KT. 
.SAT...E WIND 20 KT.  

$$

PKZ170-020300-
EASTERN ALEUTIANS CAPE SARICHEF TO NIKOLSKI
400 AM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY WEDNESDAY...

.TODAY...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 5 FT. 
.TONIGHT...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.WED...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.WED NIGHT...SE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 10 FT. 
.THU...SE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.FRI...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 10 FT. 
.SAT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 14 FT.  

$$

PKZ171-020300-
UNALASKA BAY
400 AM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

.TODAY...NE WIND 10 KT WITH GUSTS TO 20 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.TONIGHT...NE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.WED...VARIABLE WIND LESS THAN 10 KT. SEAS 1 FOOT. 
.WED NIGHT...SE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.THU...VARIABLE WIND LESS THAN 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.FRI AND SAT...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS 3 FT. 

$$

PKZ172-020300-
EASTERN ALEUTIANS NIKOLSKI TO ADAK
400 AM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...SE WIND 35 KT. SEAS 12 FT. RAIN AND SNOW. 
.TONIGHT...S WIND 30 KT. SEAS 10 FT BERING SIDE...17 FT PACIFIC SIDE.
SNOW AND RAIN. 
.WED...S WIND 25 KT. SEAS 9 FT BERING SIDE...17 FT PACIFIC SIDE. SNOW
AND RAIN.
.WED NIGHT...S WIND 25 KT. SEAS 14 FT. 
.THU...S WIND 20 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.FRI...E WIND 35 KT. SEAS 10 FT. 
.SAT...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 14 FT.  

$$

PKZ175-020300-
WESTERN ALEUTIANS ADAK TO KISKA
400 AM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

...GALE WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

.TODAY...SE WIND 40 KT. SEAS 16 FT. SNOW AND RAIN. 
.TONIGHT...S WIND 40 KT. SEAS 18 FT. SNOW AND RAIN. 
.WED...SW WIND 35 KT. SEAS 13 FT BERING SIDE...20 FT PACIFIC SIDE.
SNOW AND RAIN. 
.WED NIGHT...W WIND 30 KT. SEAS 13 FT. 
.THU...NW WIND 20 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.FRI...NE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.SAT...NE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT.  

$$

PKZ176-020300-
WESTERN ALEUTIANS KISKA TO ATTU
400 AM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

...GALE WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

.TODAY...N WIND 40 KT. SEAS 13 FT. SNOW AND RAIN. 
.TONIGHT...NW WIND 30 KT EXCEPT N 40 KT FROM SHEMYA W. SEAS 14 FT.
SNOW. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.WED...NW WIND 35 KT. SEAS 14 FT. SNOW SHOWERS. 
.WED NIGHT...NW WIND 30 KT. SEAS 13 FT. 
.THU...W WIND 25 KT. SEAS 11 FT. 
.FRI...NE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.SAT...NE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 7 FT.  

$$

PKZ185-020300-
ST MATTHEW ISLAND WATERS
400 AM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY WEDNESDAY...

.TODAY...SW WIND 20 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 5 FT. FREEZING
SPRAY. 
.TONIGHT...S WIND 20 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 5 FT. 
.WED AND WED NIGHT...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 10 FT. 
.THU...SE WIND 30 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 12 FT. 
.FRI...S WIND 15 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 9 FT. 
.SAT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 6 FT.  

$$

PKZ179-020300-
PRIBILOF ISLANDS NEAR-SHORE WATERS
400 AM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY WEDNESDAY...

.TODAY...VARIABLE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 5 FT.
.TONIGHT...SE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 6 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.WED...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.WED NIGHT...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.THU...S WIND 20 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.FRI...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.SAT...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 10 FT.  

$$
018 
FZAK52 PAFC 020010
CWFALU

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE ALASKA
400 PM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST FOR SOUTHWEST ALASKA+BRISTOL BAY+THE
ALASKA PENINSULA WATERS AND THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS UP TO 100 NM OUT.

WIND FORECASTS REFLECT THE PREDOMINANT SPEED AND DIRECTION
EXPECTED. SEA FORECASTS REPRESENT AN AVERAGE OF THE HIGHEST
ONE-THIRD OF THE COMBINED WIND WAVE AND SWELL HEIGHT.

PKZ199-021500-
400 PM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011
.SYNOPSIS FOR SOUTHWEST ALASKA+BRISTOL BAY+THE ALASKA
PENINSULA WATERS AND THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS...

HIGH PRESSURE OVER THE CENTRAL BERING SEA WILL SLIDE EAST OVER THE
EASTERN BERING SEA THROUGH THU NIGHT. A 978 MB LOW 220 NM SW OF
ADAK WILL MOVE TO 380 NM W OF ST PAUL ISLAND AT 989 MB THU MORNING.
THE LOW WILL THEN MOVE TO 210 NM SW OF GAMBELL AT 999 MB LATE THU
NIGHT. 

$$

PKZ150-021500-
COASTAL WATERS SOUTH OF THE ALASKA PENINSULA SITKINAK TO CASTLE
CAPE
400 PM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 10 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.WED...NW WIND 30 KT. SEAS 11 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.WED NIGHT...NW WIND 30 KT. SEAS 11 FT. 
.THU...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 10 FT. 
.THU NIGHT...NW WIND 15 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.FRI...NE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.SAT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 17 FT. 
.SUN...E WIND 15 KT. SEAS 13 FT.  

$$

PKZ155-021500-
COASTAL WATERS SOUTH OF THE ALASKA PENINSULA CASTLE CAPE TO CAPE
SARICHEF
400 PM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N WIND 25 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.WED...N WIND 20 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.WED NIGHT...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.THU...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.THU NIGHT...VARIABLE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.FRI...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.SAT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 17 FT. 
.SUN...SE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 13 FT.  

$$

PKZ160-021500-
BRISTOL BAY WATERS CAPE NEWENHAM TO PORT HEIDEN
400 PM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT...
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW WIND 30 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 8 FT. HEAVY
FREEZING SPRAY. 
.WED...NW WIND 30 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 8 FT. HEAVY FREEZING
SPRAY. 
.WED NIGHT...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 7 FT. HEAVY
FREEZING SPRAY. 
.THU...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 4 FT. 
.THU NIGHT...VARIABLE WIND LESS THAN 10 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS
2 FT. 
.FRI...E WIND 15 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 3 FT. 
.SAT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 6 FT. 
.SUN...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 6 FT.  

$$

PKZ165-021500-
PORT HEIDEN TO CAPE SARICHEF
400 PM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.WED...N WIND 20 KT. SEAS 7 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.WED NIGHT...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 4 FT. 
.THU AND THU NIGHT...VARIABLE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 3 FT. 
.FRI...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.SAT AND SUN...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT.  

$$

PKZ180-021500-
SOUTHWEST ALASKA WATERS CAPE NEWENHAM TO DALL POINT
400 PM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

.TONIGHT...W WIND 15 KT. 
.WED...NW WIND 15 KT. 
.WED NIGHT...E WIND 15 KT. 
.THU...E WIND 20 KT. 
.THU NIGHT...SE WIND 20 KT. 
.FRI...SE WIND 10 KT. 
.SAT AND SUN...E WIND 20 KT.  

$$

PKZ170-021500-
EASTERN ALEUTIANS CAPE SARICHEF TO NIKOLSKI
400 PM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.WED...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.WED NIGHT...SE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 10 FT. 
.THU...SE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.THU NIGHT...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.FRI...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 11 FT. 
.SAT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 14 FT. 
.SUN...SE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 15 FT.  

$$

PKZ171-021500-
UNALASKA BAY
400 PM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

.TONIGHT...E WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.WED AND WED NIGHT...SE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.THU AND THU NIGHT...VARIABLE WIND LESS THAN 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.FRI AND SAT...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS 3 FT. 
.SUN...SE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT.  

$$

PKZ172-021500-
EASTERN ALEUTIANS NIKOLSKI TO ADAK
400 PM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SE WIND 35 KT. SEAS 15 FT. SNOW AND RAIN. 
.WED...S WIND 30 KT. SEAS 10 FT BERING SIDE...17 FT PACIFIC SIDE.
SNOW AND RAIN SHOWERS. 
.WED NIGHT...S WIND 30 KT. SEAS 15 FT. 
.THU...S WIND 20 KT. SEAS 11 FT. 
.THU NIGHT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.FRI...E WIND 35 KT. SEAS 12 FT. 
.SAT...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 14 FT. 
.SUN...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 14 FT.  

$$

PKZ175-021500-
WESTERN ALEUTIANS ADAK TO KISKA
400 PM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

...GALE WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

.TONIGHT...SE WIND 35 KT. SEAS 15 FT. RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS.
.WED...SW WIND 35 KT. SEAS 15 FT. SNOW AND RAIN SHOWERS. 
.WED NIGHT...SW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 12 FT. SNOW SHOWERS. 
.THU...W WIND 20 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.THU NIGHT...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.FRI...NE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 11 FT. 
.SAT...NE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.SUN...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 8 FT.  

$$

PKZ176-021500-
WESTERN ALEUTIANS KISKA TO ATTU
400 PM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

...GALE WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

.TONIGHT...NE WIND 25 KT EXCEPT N 40 KT FROM SHEMYA W. SEAS 14 FT.
RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS. 
.WED...NW WIND 25 KT EXCEPT N 40 KT FROM SHEMYA W. SEAS 14 FT. SNOW.
.WED NIGHT...NW WIND 30 KT. SEAS 14 FT. SNOW SHOWERS. 
.THU...W WIND 25 KT. SEAS 12 FT. 
.THU NIGHT...W WIND 15 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.FRI...NE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.SAT...NE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.SUN...VARIABLE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 6 FT.  

$$

PKZ185-021500-
ST MATTHEW ISLAND WATERS
400 PM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SW WIND 15 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 4 FT. 
.WED AND WED NIGHT...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 8 FT.
FREEZING SPRAY. 
.THU...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 10 FT. 
.THU NIGHT...S WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 9 FT. 
.FRI...S WIND 20 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 7 FT. 
.SAT AND SUN...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 8 FT.  

$$

PKZ179-021500-
PRIBILOF ISLANDS NEAR-SHORE WATERS
400 PM AKST TUE FEB 1 2011

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SE WIND 10 KT INCREASING TO 20 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS 5
FT. FREEZING SPRAY AFTER MIDNIGHT. 
.WED...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT. FREEZING SPRAY IN THE MORNING. 
.WED NIGHT...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.THU...S WIND 25 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.THU NIGHT...S WIND 20 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.FRI...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.SAT...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 11 FT. 
.SUN...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 10 FT.  

$$
051 
FZAK52 PAFC 021242
CWFALU

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE ALASKA
400 AM AKST WED FEB 2 2011

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST FOR SOUTHWEST ALASKA+BRISTOL BAY+THE
ALASKA PENINSULA WATERS AND THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS UP TO 100 NM OUT.

WIND FORECASTS REFLECT THE PREDOMINANT SPEED AND DIRECTION
EXPECTED. SEA FORECASTS REPRESENT AN AVERAGE OF THE HIGHEST
ONE-THIRD OF THE COMBINED WIND WAVE AND SWELL HEIGHT.

PKZ199-030300-
400 AM AKST WED FEB 2 2011
.SYNOPSIS FOR SOUTHWEST ALASKA+BRISTOL BAY+THE ALASKA
PENINSULA WATERS AND THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS...

HIGH PRESSURE OVER THE CENTRAL BERING SEA WILL SLIDE EAST OVER THE
EASTERN BERING SEA THROUGH THU NIGHT. A 978 MB LOW 220 NM SW OF
ADAK WILL MOVE TO 380 NM W OF ST PAUL ISLAND AT 989 MB THU MORNING.
THE LOW WILL THEN MOVE TO 210 NM SW OF GAMBELL AT 999 MB LATE THU
NIGHT.

$$

PKZ150-030300-
COASTAL WATERS SOUTH OF THE ALASKA PENINSULA SITKINAK TO CASTLE
CAPE
400 AM AKST WED FEB 2 2011

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH THURSDAY...

.TODAY...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 10 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.TONIGHT...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 10 FT. 
.THU...NW WIND 20 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.THU NIGHT...NW WIND 15 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.FRI...NE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.SAT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 12 FT. 
.SUN...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS 15 FT.  

$$

PKZ155-030300-
COASTAL WATERS SOUTH OF THE ALASKA PENINSULA CASTLE CAPE TO CAPE
SARICHEF
400 AM AKST WED FEB 2 2011

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH THURSDAY...

.TODAY...N WIND 20 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.TONIGHT AND THU...NW WIND 15 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.THU NIGHT...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.FRI...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 11 FT. 
.SAT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 11 FT. 
.SUN...SE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 13 FT.  

$$

PKZ160-030300-
BRISTOL BAY WATERS CAPE NEWENHAM TO PORT HEIDEN
400 AM AKST WED FEB 2 2011

...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING THROUGH THURSDAY...
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 6 FT. HEAVY FREEZING
SPRAY. 
.TONIGHT...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 5 FT. HEAVY
FREEZING SPRAY. 
.THU...NW WIND 15 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 4 FT. HEAVY FREEZING
SPRAY. 
.THU NIGHT...NW WIND 10 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 2 FT. 
.FRI...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 4 FT. 
.SAT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 6 FT. 
.SUN...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 6 FT.  

$$

PKZ165-030300-
PORT HEIDEN TO CAPE SARICHEF
400 AM AKST WED FEB 2 2011

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TODAY...

.TODAY...VARIABLE WIND 10 KT EXCEPT N 25 KT FROM PORT MOLLER E. SEAS
7 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.TONIGHT...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 5 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.THU AND THU NIGHT...VARIABLE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 4 FT. 
.FRI AND SAT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.SUN...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT.  

$$

PKZ180-030300-
SOUTHWEST ALASKA WATERS CAPE NEWENHAM TO DALL POINT
400 AM AKST WED FEB 2 2011

.TODAY...NW WIND 15 KT. 
.TONIGHT...NE WIND 15 KT. 
.THU...E WIND 15 KT. 
.THU NIGHT...S WIND 20 KT. 
.FRI...SE WIND 15 KT. 
.SAT AND SUN...E WIND 20 KT. 

$$

PKZ170-030300-
EASTERN ALEUTIANS CAPE SARICHEF TO NIKOLSKI
400 AM AKST WED FEB 2 2011

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH THURSDAY...

.TODAY...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.TONIGHT...SE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 10 FT. 
.THU...SE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 10 FT. 
.THU NIGHT...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.FRI...E WIND 35 KT. SEAS 15 FT. 
.SAT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 15 FT. 
.SUN...SE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 15 FT.  

$$

PKZ171-030300-
UNALASKA BAY
400 AM AKST WED FEB 2 2011

.TODAY...SE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.TONIGHT...SE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.THU...SE WIND 10 KT IN THE MORNING BECOMING VARIABLE LESS THAN
10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.THU NIGHT...SE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.FRI...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 4 FT. 
.SAT...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS 3 FT. 
.SUN...SE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT.  

$$

PKZ172-030300-
EASTERN ALEUTIANS NIKOLSKI TO ADAK
400 AM AKST WED FEB 2 2011

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH THURSDAY...

.TODAY...S WIND 30 KT. SEAS 10 FT BERING SIDE...17 FT PACIFIC SIDE.
SNOW AND RAIN. 
.TONIGHT...S WIND 25 KT. SEAS 9 FT BERING SIDE...16 FT PACIFIC SIDE. 
.THU...S WIND 20 KT. SEAS 11 FT. 
.THU NIGHT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 12 FT. 
.FRI...E WIND 35 KT. SEAS 17 FT. 
.SAT...NE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 13 FT. 
.SUN...NE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 11 FT.  

$$

PKZ175-030300-
WESTERN ALEUTIANS ADAK TO KISKA
400 AM AKST WED FEB 2 2011

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...SW WIND 35 KT. SEAS 14 FT. RAIN AND SNOW. 
.TONIGHT...SW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 11 FT. SNOW SHOWERS. 
.THU...W WIND 15 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.THU NIGHT...NE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.FRI...NE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 12 FT. 
.SAT...NE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 12 FT. 
.SUN...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 9 FT.  

$$

PKZ176-030300-
WESTERN ALEUTIANS KISKA TO ATTU
400 AM AKST WED FEB 2 2011

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...NW WIND 25 KT EXCEPT N 35 KT FROM SHEMYA W. SEAS 14 FT.
SNOW. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.TONIGHT...NW WIND 30 KT. SEAS 14 FT. SNOW SHOWERS. 
.THU...NW WIND 25 KT DIMINISHING TO 15 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS
13 FT. 
.THU NIGHT...NW WIND 15 KT. SEAS 10 FT. 
.FRI...NE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.SAT...NE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 10 FT. 
.SUN...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 9 FT.  

$$

PKZ185-030300-
ST MATTHEW ISLAND WATERS
400 AM AKST WED FEB 2 2011

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH THURSDAY...

.TODAY...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 8 FT. FREEZING
SPRAY. 
.TONIGHT AND THU...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 8 FT.
FREEZING SPRAY. 
.THU NIGHT...S WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 9 FT. 
.FRI...S WIND 15 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 4 FT. 
.SAT...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 6 FT. 
.SUN...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 8 FT.  

$$

PKZ179-030300-
PRIBILOF ISLANDS NEAR-SHORE WATERS
400 AM AKST WED FEB 2 2011

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH THURSDAY...

.TODAY...SE WIND 15 KT INCREASING TO 25 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS
BUILDING TO 8 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.TONIGHT...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.THU...S WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.THU NIGHT...S WIND 20 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.FRI...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.SAT...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 11 FT. 
.SUN...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 9 FT.  

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this gale warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Anchorage, AK wrote its last area forecast discussion before this gale warning went out at Jan 31, 6:00 AM AKST, 10 hours earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 31, 6:00 AM AKST, 10 hours before
SOUTHCENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST ALASKA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
600 AM AKST MON JAN 31 2011

.ANALYSIS AND UPPER LEVELS...HIGHLY AMPLIFIED UPPER LEVEL PATTERN
CONTINUES TO BE IN PLACE OVER ALASKA WITH A STRONG RIDGE OVER THE
EASTERN PACIFIC EXTENDING FROM THE MIDLATITUDES NORTHWARDS INTO THE
ARCTIC. AN UPPER LEVEL TROUGH CENTERED OVER EASTERN SIBERIA COVERS
MUCH OF THE BERING SEA. A 115KT 250MB JET DELINEATES THE BOUNDARY
BETWEEN THESE TWO AIRMASSES AND IS ACTING TO STEER A SERIES OF UPPER
LEVEL WAVES...WITH SURFACE LOW REFLECTIONS...INTO THE GULF OF ALASKA
AND ULTIMATELY SOUTHCENTRAL. THE FIRST OF THESE FEATURES IS A LOW
THAT HAS MOVED FROM SHELIKOF STRAIT INTO THE BRISTOL BAY REGION
PUSHING A FRONT ONSHORE ACROSS THE NORTHERN GULF OF ALASKA. THIS
SYSTEM IS BRINGING SNOW TO THE USUAL UPSLOPE AREAS...WITH RAIN MIXING
IN FARTHER EAST AROUND CORDOVA. THE LOW HAS ALSO BROUGHT SNOW TO
SOUTHWEST ALASKA OVERNIGHT.

FARTHER WEST A RIDGE IS STARTING TO BUILD OVER THE EASTERN BERING
THOUGH THIS IS CURRENTLY BEING IMPINGED UPON BY A WEAK SHORTWAVE THAT
IS BRINGING AREAS OF CLOUDS AND SHOWERS TO THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN
ALEUTIANS. A SHARP UPPER LEVEL TROUGH LOCATED YET FARTHER WEST IS
ACTING TO SPIN UP A COMPACT...BUT IMPRESSIVE SURFACE LOW SOUTH OF THE
WESTERN ALEUTIANS.

.MODEL DISCUSSION...THE MODELS INITIALIZE REASONABLY CLOSE TO EACH
OTHER THIS MORNING...HOWEVER BY 36 HOURS SOME IMPORTANT DIFFERENCES
START TO CROP UP. THE ISSUE HAS TO DO WITH THE TRACK OF THE NEXT LOW
POISED TO MOVE INTO SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA MONDAY NIGHT. ALL OF THE
MAJOR MODELS PROG A LOW TO MOVE INTO THE REGION TUE NIGHT INTO
WED...HOWEVER THERE ARE SUBTLE DIFFERENCES IN THE TRACK OF THE LOW
THAT COULD MAKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ANCHORAGE BOWL SEEING A
SIGNIFICANT SNOW EVENT OR PRECIP FALLING AS ALL RAIN. THE ECMWF AND
CANADIAN MODELS ARE TRACKING THE LOW WEST UP COOK INLET AND INTO THE
SUSITNA VALLEY...KEEPING THINGS WARM ENOUGH FOR RAIN WHILE THE NAM IS
THE FARTHER EAST OF THE MODEL SOLUTIONS...TRACKING THE LOW INTO
WESTERN PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND...A CLASSIC SNOW SETUP FOR ANCHORAGE.
THE GFS IS A LITTLE SLOWER IN TRANSITIONING THE LOW INTO THE
ANCHORAGE AREA...BUT OVERALL TRACKS THE LOW RIGHT OVER ANCHORAGE AND
THE MAT VALLEY...JUST FAR ENOUGH TO THE EAST TO KEEP THESE AREAS ON
THE COLD SIDE OF THE LOW. THE MORNING FORECAST PACKAGE FAVORS A MORE
EASTERLY SOLUTION...SIMILAR TO THE NAM AND GFS...WITH THE THINKING
THAT THE COLDER AIR IN PLACE SHOULD FAVOR A MORE EASTERLY TRACK. 12Z
PAFC SOUNDING DATA LENDS CREEDENCE TO THIS AS THE ECMWF 850MB TEMPS
ARE INITIALIZING ABOUT 2 DEGREES TOO WARM.

DIFFERENCES CONTINUE PAST 48 HOURS AS A SERIES OF LOWS MOVE UP INTO
THE GULF AND SOUTHCENTRAL HOWEVER THE NAM IS THE MODEL OF CHOICE IN
THE EAST. IT IS ALSO FAVORED IN THE WEST WHERE THERE IS A DIVERGENCE
OF TRACKS IN THE LOW MOVING INTO THE WESTERN ALEUTIANS MON NIGHT INTO
TUE MORNING. THE NAM SPLITS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE GFS AND ECMWF
AND AS SUCH SEEMS MOST PRUDENT FOR NOW.

CONFIDENCE IN THE EXTENDED FORECAST PAST 84 HOURS IS STILL VERY LOW
AS THERE ARE MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE MODELS.

.SHORT TERM FORECAST...

SOUTHCENTRAL...THE FRONT ALONG THE NORTH GULF COAST WILL CONTINUE TO
MOVE ONSHORE TODAY...BRINGING SNOW TO UPSLOPE AREAS ALONG THE NORTH
GULF COAST AND EASTERN SLOPES OF THE ALASKA RANGE AS WELL AS TO MUCH
OF SOUTHWESTERN ALASKA. PRECIP WILL TAPER OFF BRIEFLY THIS AFTERNOON
ACROSS SOUTHCENTRAL BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF THE NEXT LOW STARTING THIS
EVENING...

AS MENTIONED ABOVE THERE IS STILL SOME UNCERTAINTY IN THE TRACK OF
THIS NEXT LOW BUT RIGHT NOW ALL OF THE INGREDIENTS...SOUTHERLY FLOW
BRINGING ABUNDANT MOISTURE WITH LITTLE DOWNSLOPING...A NEGATIVELY
TILTED UPPER LEVEL TROUGH PROVIDING LIFT...AND ENOUGH COLD AIR
ALREADY IN PLACE...ARE POINTING TOWARDS THE FIRST MAJOR SNOWFALL FOR
THE ANCHORAGE BOWL AND MAT-SU OF 2011. THIS LOW IS THE FIRST IN A
SERIES OF LOWS THAT WILL BE MOVING INTO SOUTHCENTRAL FROM THE
GULF...EACH BRINGING A POTENTIAL FOR SNOW AND RESULTING IN WHAT IS
LOOKING TO SHAPE UP INTO A VERY SNOWY WEEK ACROSS SOUTHCENTRAL. STAY
TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS...

SOUTHWEST AK...THE REMNANTS OF THE LOW MOVING NORTH ACROSS BRISTOL
BAY WILL BRING PERIODS OF SNOW TO MUCH OF SOUTHWEST ALASKA TODAY AND
INTO TONIGHT. AFTER THAT THOUGH MOST OF THE ACTION WILL BE CONFINED
TO SOUTHCENTRAL AS A RIDGE BUILDING OVER THE EASTERN BERING WILL
SERVE TO DRY THINGS OUT FOR THE MIDWEEK. A CHANCE OF SNOW CREEPS BACK
INTO THE FORECAST BY LATER IN THE WEEK AS RESIDUAL MOISTURE FROM THE
LOWS AFFECTING SOUTHCENTRAL SPILLS OVER THE ALASKA RANGE.

BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS...RELATIVELY QUIET ACROSS THE EASTERN ALEUTIANS
AND BERING AS A RIDGE BUILDS OVER THE AREA. TO THE WEST A COMPACT LOW
FORMING SOUTH OF THE WESTERN ALEUTIANS WILL MOVE NORTH INTO THE
WESTERN ALEUTIANS SPREADING SNOW AND GALES INTO THE WESTERN AND
CENTRAL ALEUTIANS. THE PROXIMITY OF THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL ALEUTIANS
TO THE PRIMARY UPPER LEVEL JET IN THE NORTH PACIFIC WILL KEEP THEM IN
LINE FOR A SERIES OF UPPER LEVEL WAVES TO BRUSH THE CHAIN...KEEPING
SNOW AND RAIN IN THE FORECAST FOR MUCH OF THIS WEEK.

.LONG TERM FORECAST...GIVEN THE LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN ANY SINGLE
MODEL SOLUTION...DETAILS ARE SUITABLY VAGUE AT THIS POINT...THOUGH
THE GENERAL INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE BROAD SYNOPTIC PATTERN WILL
LIKELY CONTINUE TO BE QUITE UNSETTLED AS THE RIDGE OVER THE EASTERN
PACIFIC IS NOT LIKELY TO BREAK DOWN ANYTIME SOON. THIS WILL KEEP MUCH
OF THE AOR IN THE BULLSEYE FOR THE NORTH PACIFIC STORM TRACKS THROUGH
THE WEEKEND AND INTO NEXT WEEK.

.AER/ALU...WATCH/WARNING SUMMARY
PUBLIC...NONE
MARINE...STORM WARNING...130
         GALE WARNING...120 125 155 160 175 176
FIRE WEATHER...NONE

WOOD JAN 11

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jan 31, 10:50 AM AKST, 5 hours 10 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
1050 AM AKST MON JAN 31 2011

AKZ101-111-121-125-131-135-141-145-010400-

...UNSETTLED WEATHER RETURNS TO SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA THIS WEEK...

A SERIES OF LOW PRESSURE SYSTEMS WILL DEVELOP OVER THE NORTHERN
PACIFIC AND FOLLOW A SIMILAR PATH TOWARD SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA. THE
FIRST LOW WILL ARRIVE LATER THIS EVENING AND SPREAD MOISTURE INLAND
OVERNIGHT. SNOW WILL MIX WITH OR CHANGE OVER TO RAIN ALONG THE GULF
COAST. INLAND...TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN BELOW FREEZING SO
THAT ALL PRECIPITATION THAT FALLS WILL REMAIN IN THE FORM OF SNOW.

SNOWFALL TOTALS WILL VARY ACROSS THE REGION AS SUBSEQUENT LOWS TAKE
SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT PATHS DURING THE WEEK. HEAVIEST SNOW WILL BE AT
HIGHER ELEVATIONS AROUND PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND AND COASTAL AREAS LIKE
VALDEZ WHERE COLD AIR WILL REMAIN TRAPPED.

NO WATCHES, WARNINGS, OR ADVISORIES HAVE BEEN ISSUED AS OF MONDAY
MORNING BUT STAY TUNED AS THE SYSTEM EVOLVES AND SLIGHT CHANGES IN
THE TRACK OF THE DEVELOPING LOWS COULD LEAD TO LARGE CHANGES IN
FORECASTED SNOWFALL TOTALS.

THE LATEST INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
FORECAST WEB PAGE... HTTP://PAFC.ARH.NOAA.GOV

AB JAN 10

The office that day

Everything else NWS Anchorage, AK issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 31, 4:00 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC60 hr
Jan 31, 4:00 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC12 hr
Jan 31, 4:00 PM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC12 hr
Jan 31, 4:00 PM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC4 days
Jan 31, 4:00 PM AKSTStorm WarningAFC12 hr
Jan 31, 4:00 PM AKSTHeavy Freezing Spray WarningAFC5 days
Feb 1, 12:31 AM AKSTWinter Weather AdvisoryAFC47 hr
Feb 1, 4:00 AM AKSTGale WarningAFC24 hr
Feb 1, 4:00 AM AKSTGale WarningAFC24 hr
Feb 1, 4:00 AM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC54 hr
Feb 1, 4:00 AM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC9 days

Nearby

Gale Warnings in Alaska, 2011Every gale warning in 2011

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text.