Gale Warning 285, NWS Anchorage, AK

528 
FZAK52 PAFC 151439 AAA
CWFALU

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE ALASKA
635 AM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

UPDATED ZONES 160 171 180

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.

PKZ199-160300-
400 AM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013
.SYNOPSIS FOR SOUTHWEST ALASKA+BRISTOL BAY+THE ALASKA
PENINSULA WATERS AND THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS...
A STRONG FRONT IN THE CENTRAL BERING WILL MOVE INTO THE EASTERN
BERING THIS EVENING AND THEN MOVE INLAND OVERNIGHT. A 993 MB LOW 
300 NM WEST OF SAINT MATTHEW ISLAND WILL WEAKEN TO 997 MB AS IT 
MOVES INLAND NEAR TOKSOOK BAY SAT MORNING. LATE SAT NIGHT A 1007 MB
LOW WILL DEVELOP 90 NM SOUTHEAST OF SAND POINT AND THEN MOVE INTO 
THE WESTERN GULF SAT AFTERNOON. A 985 MB LOW WILL MOVE INTO THE
WESTERN BERING EARLY SAT MORNING AND THEN MOVE TO 90 NM NORTHWEST 
OF SAINT MATTHEW ISLAND AT 1003 MB SUN MORNING.
$$

PKZ150-160300-
COASTAL WATERS SOUTH OF THE ALASKA PENINSULA SITKINAK TO CASTLE
CAPE
400 AM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

...GALE WARNING SATURDAY...

.TODAY...NW WIND 20 KT. HIGHER GUSTS OUT OF BAYS AND PASSES. SEAS 6
FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.TONIGHT...SW WIND 20 KT. SEAS 5 FT. SNOW AND RAIN. 
.SAT...SW WIND 20 KT BECOMING NW 35 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 9 FT.
SNOW AND RAIN. 
.SAT NIGHT...NW WIND 35 KT. SEAS 10 FT. 
.SUN...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.MON AND TUE...NW WIND 20 KT. SEAS 6 FT.  

$$

PKZ155-160300-
COASTAL WATERS SOUTH OF THE ALASKA PENINSULA CASTLE CAPE TO CAPE
SARICHEF
400 AM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH SATURDAY...

.TODAY...W WIND 15 KT BECOMING SW 30 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. FROM THE
SHUMAGIN ISLANDS E...NW WIND 20 KT. SEAS 7 FT. SNOW AND RAIN.
FREEZING SPRAY DURING THE MORNING. 
.TONIGHT...W WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT. SNOW AND RAIN. 
.SAT...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT. PATCHY FOG. 
.SAT NIGHT...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.SUN...SW WIND 20 KT. SEAS 6 FT. 
.MON...S WIND 15 KT. SEAS 6 FT. 
.TUE...SE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 8 FT.  

$$

PKZ160-160300-
BRISTOL BAY WATERS CAPE NEWENHAM TO PORT HEIDEN
635 AM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TONIGHT...

.TODAY...VARIABLE WIND 10 KT BECOMING S 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. 
SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 3 FT. SNOW.
.TONIGHT...SE WIND 25 KT BECOMING W AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS IN ICE 
FREE WATERS 5 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.SAT...W WIND 20 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 5 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.SAT NIGHT...W WIND 15 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 4 FT. 
.SUN...W WIND 10 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 2 FT. 
.MON AND TUE...NE WIND 10 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 2 FT.  

$$

PKZ165-160300-
PORT HEIDEN TO CAPE SARICHEF
400 AM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...VARIABLE WIND 15 KT BECOMING S 25 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS
6 FT. SNOW IN THE AFTERNOON.
.TONIGHT...SW WIND 25 KT BECOMING W 15 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS 6 FT.
SNOW.
.SAT...W WIND 20 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.SAT NIGHT...W WIND 15 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.SUN...S WIND 15 KT. SEAS 4 FT. 
.MON...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.TUE...E WIND 15 KT. SEAS 4 FT.  

$$

PKZ180-160300-
SOUTHWEST ALASKA WATERS CAPE NEWENHAM TO DALL POINT
635 AM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TODAY...VARIABLE WIND 10 KT BECOMING SE 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. 
SNOW.
.TONIGHT...SE WIND 35 KT BECOMING SW 30 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. 
N OF NUNIVAK ISLAND...E WIND 20 KT BECOMING N AFTER MIDNIGHT. 
.SAT...W WIND 20 KT. 
.SAT NIGHT AND SUN...SW WIND 20 KT. 
.MON...E WIND 15 KT. 
.TUE...E WIND 10 KT.  

$$

PKZ170-160300-
EASTERN ALEUTIANS CAPE SARICHEF TO NIKOLSKI
400 AM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH SATURDAY...

.TODAY...SW WIND 30 KT. SEAS 10 FT. SNOW AND RAIN. 
.TONIGHT...W WIND 20 KT. SEAS 8 FT. RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS. 
.SAT...W WIND 20 KT. SEAS 8 FT. PATCHY FOG. 
.SAT NIGHT...S WIND 15 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.SUN AND MON...SE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 11 FT. 
.TUE...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 11 FT.  

$$

PKZ171-160300-
UNALASKA BAY
635 AM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

.TODAY...SW WIND 20 KT. GUSTS TO 30 KT. SEAS 3 FT. SNOW AND RAIN. 
.TONIGHT...NW WIND 15 KT. SEAS 4 FT. SNOW SHOWERS. 
.SAT...W WIND 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT. PATCHY FOG. 
.SAT NIGHT...VARIABLE WIND LESS THAN 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT OR LESS. 
.SUN...SE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 3 FT. 
.MON AND TUE...SE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT.  

$$

PKZ172-160300-
EASTERN ALEUTIANS NIKOLSKI TO ADAK
400 AM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH SATURDAY...

.TODAY...SW WIND 30 KT BECOMING NW 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. 
SEAS 9 FT. RAIN AND SNOW. 
.TONIGHT...NW WIND 20 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.SAT...W WIND 20 KT. SEAS 8 FT. PATCHY FOG. 
.SAT NIGHT...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 10 FT. 
.SUN AND MON...SE WIND 35 KT. SEAS 15 FT. 
.TUE...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 13 FT.  

$$

PKZ175-160300-
WESTERN ALEUTIANS ADAK TO KISKA
400 AM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH SATURDAY...

.TODAY...W WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT BERING SIDE...12 FT PACIFIC SIDE. 
.TONIGHT...W WIND 25 KT. SEAS 11 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.SAT...SW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 12 FT. PATCHY FOG. 
.SAT NIGHT...S WIND 25 KT. SEAS 13 FT. 
.SUN...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 12 FT. 
.MON...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 11 FT. 
.TUE...S WIND 15 KT. SEAS 9 FT.  

$$

PKZ176-160300-
WESTERN ALEUTIANS KISKA TO ATTU
400 AM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

...GALE WARNING THROUGH SATURDAY...

.TODAY...W WIND 35 KT...EXCEPT W 25 KT E OF SHEMYA. SEAS 17 FT.
FREEZING SPRAY. 
.TONIGHT...SW WIND 30 KT INCREASING TO 40 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. 
SEAS 17 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.SAT...SW WIND 40 KT DIMINISHING TO 30 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. 
SEAS 19 FT. SNOW. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.SAT NIGHT...S WIND 25 KT. SEAS 16 FT. 
.SUN...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 12 FT. 
.MON...NW WIND 30 KT. SEAS 13 FT. 
.TUE...SW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 11 FT.  

$$

PKZ185-160300-
ST MATTHEW ISLAND WATERS
400 AM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...E OF SAINT MATTHEW ISLAND...E WIND 20 KT. W OF SAINT
MATTHEW ISLAND...E WIND 35 KT DIMINISHING TO 25 KT IN THE 
AFTERNOON. SNOW.
.TONIGHT...VARIABLE WIND 15 KT. 
.SAT...VARIABLE WIND 10 KT BECOMING SE 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. 
E OF SAINT MATTHEW ISLAND...VARIABLE WIND 10 KT.  
.SAT NIGHT...S WIND 30 KT. 
.SUN...S WIND 25 KT. 
.MON...E WIND 25 KT. 
.TUE...SE WIND 25 KT.  

$$

PKZ179-160300-
PRIBILOF ISLANDS NEAR-SHORE WATERS
400 AM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...SE WIND 25 KT BECOMING W 35 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. 
SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 8 FT. SNOW. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.TONIGHT...W WIND 30 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 10 FT. 
FREEZING SPRAY. 
.SAT...W WIND 25 KT DIMINISHING TO 15 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. 
SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 9 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.SAT NIGHT...SW WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 8 FT. 
.SUN...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 9 FT. 
.MON AND TUE...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 8 FT.

$$

344 
FZAK52 PAFC 152355
CWFALU

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE ALASKA
400 PM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

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.

PKZ199-161500-
400 PM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013
.SYNOPSIS FOR SOUTHWEST ALASKA+BRISTOL BAY+THE ALASKA
PENINSULA WATERS AND THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS...
A 996 MB LOW 80 NM NORTHEAST OF SAINT PAUL DISSIPATES AS IT MOVES
INLAND LATE TONIGHT NEAR KIPNUK. A 985 MB LOW 250 NM NORTHWEST OF
ATTU EARLY SAT MORNING WEAKENS TO 1012 MB SUN MORNING NEAR SAINT
MATTHEW ISLAND AND THEN MOVES INLAND SUN AFTERNOON NEAR HOOPER BAY. 
A WEATHER FRONT MOVES ACROSS THE WESTERN ALEUTIANS SUN NIGHT.
$$

PKZ150-161500-
COASTAL WATERS SOUTH OF THE ALASKA PENINSULA SITKINAK TO CASTLE
CAPE
400 PM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SW WIND 20 KT. SEAS 5 FT. SNOW AND RAIN. 
.SAT...VARIABLE WIND 15 KT BECOMING NW 30 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. GUSTS
TO 40 KT OUT OF BAYS AND PASSES IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 8 FT. RAIN.
.SAT NIGHT...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.SUN...W WIND 25 KT. SEAS 6 FT. 
.SUN NIGHT...W WIND 20 KT. SEAS 6 FT. 
.MON AND TUE...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.WED...NW WIND 15 KT. SEAS 7 FT.  

$$

PKZ155-161500-
COASTAL WATERS SOUTH OF THE ALASKA PENINSULA CASTLE CAPE TO CAPE
SARICHEF
400 PM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SW WIND 25 KT BECOMING NW 15 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS 7 FT.
SNOW AND RAIN. 
.SAT...NW WIND 20 KT. SEAS 7 FT. PATCHY FOG. 
.SAT NIGHT...NW WIND 15 KT BECOMING VARIABLE LESS THAN 10 KT AFTER
MIDNIGHT. SEAS 6 FT. PATCHY FOG. 
.SUN...SW WIND 15 KT. SEAS 5 FT. 
.SUN NIGHT...W WIND 15 KT. SEAS 5 FT. 
.MON...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 4 FT. 
.TUE...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.WED...VARIABLE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 7 FT.  

$$

PKZ160-161500-
BRISTOL BAY WATERS CAPE NEWENHAM TO PORT HEIDEN
400 PM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SE WIND 25 KT DIMINISHING TO 15 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT...EXCEPT
BECOMING W 15 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT W OF 160W. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 5
FT. SNOW. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.SAT...W WIND 15 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 3 FT. 
.SAT NIGHT...W WIND 15 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 3 FT. PATCHY FOG.
.SUN...SW WIND 15 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 4 FT. 
.SUN NIGHT...W WIND 20 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 4 FT. 
.MON...NW WIND 20 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 5 FT. 
.TUE...N WIND 20 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 4 FT. 
.WED...NE WIND 10 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 3 FT.  

$$

PKZ165-161500-
PORT HEIDEN TO CAPE SARICHEF
400 PM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

.TONIGHT...W WIND 15 KT. SEAS 5 FT. SNOW.
.SAT...W WIND 15 KT. SEAS 6 FT. 
.SAT NIGHT...W WIND 15 KT. SEAS 7 FT. PATCHY FOG. 
.SUN...SW WIND 20 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.SUN NIGHT...W WIND 15 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.MON...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 6 FT. 
.TUE...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 4 FT. 
.WED...E WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT.  

$$

PKZ180-161500-
SOUTHWEST ALASKA WATERS CAPE NEWENHAM TO DALL POINT
400 PM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

...BRISK WIND ADVISORY TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SE WIND 30 KT BECOMING SW 20 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. N OF
NUNIVAK ISLAND...BECOMING VARIABLE 10 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. SNOW.
.SAT...SW WIND 15 KT. 
.SAT NIGHT...S WIND 20 KT EXCEPT 10 KT E OF NUNIVAK ISLAND. 
.SUN...SW WIND 20 KT. 
.SUN NIGHT...NW WIND 15 KT. 
.MON...N WIND 15 KT. 
.TUE...NE WIND 20 KT. 
.WED...SE WIND 15 KT.  

$$

PKZ170-161500-
EASTERN ALEUTIANS CAPE SARICHEF TO NIKOLSKI
400 PM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...W WIND 20 KT...EXCEPT BECOMING N 10 KT PACIFIC SIDE AFTER
MIDNIGHT. SEAS 8 FT. RAIN BERING SIDE.
.SAT...W WIND 15 KT EXCEPT VARIABLE LESS THAN 10 KT PACIFIC SIDE.
SEAS 8 FT. PATCHY FOG. 
.SAT NIGHT...SW WIND 20 KT EXCEPT 10 KT PACIFIC SIDE. SEAS 8 FT.
PATCHY FOG. 
.SUN...S WIND 15 KT. SEAS 11 FT. 
.SUN NIGHT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 10 FT. 
.MON...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.TUE...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 10 FT. 
.WED...VARIABLE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 7 FT.  

$$

PKZ171-161500-
UNALASKA BAY
400 PM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

.TONIGHT...W WIND 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT. RAIN BECOMING SNOW SHOWERS. 
.SAT...W WIND 15 KT DIMINISHING TO 10 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS
2 FT. PATCHY FOG. 
.SAT NIGHT...VARIABLE WIND LESS THAN 10 KT BECOMING S 10 KT AFTER
MIDNIGHT. SEAS 2 FT. PATCHY FOG. 
.SUN...SW WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.SUN NIGHT...E WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.MON...E WIND 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.TUE...E WIND 10 KT. SEAS 3 FT. 
.WED...VARIABLE WIND LESS THAN 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT.  

$$

PKZ172-161500-
EASTERN ALEUTIANS NIKOLSKI TO ADAK
400 PM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...W WIND 20 KT EXCEPT NW WIND 15 KT PACIFIC SIDE. SEAS 9 FT.
.SAT...SW WIND 20 KT EXCEPT 15 KT PACIFIC SIDE. SEAS 9 FT. PATCHY
FOG. 
.SAT NIGHT...SW WIND 20 KT BERING SIDE...VARIABLE 10 KT PACIFIC SIDE.
SEAS 10 FT. 
.SUN...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 11 FT. 
.SUN NIGHT...E WIND 40 KT. SEAS 12 FT. 
.MON...E WIND 40 KT. SEAS 15 FT. 
.TUE...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 13 FT. 
.WED...W WIND 15 KT. SEAS 7 FT.  

$$

PKZ175-161500-
WESTERN ALEUTIANS ADAK TO KISKA
400 PM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SW WIND 30 KT EXCEPT 20 KT PACIFIC SIDE. SEAS 12 FT. 
.SAT...SW WIND 30 KT EXCEPT 20 KT PACIFIC SIDE. SEAS 13 FT. PATCHY
FOG. 
.SAT NIGHT...SW WIND 25 KT BECOMING S 15 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS
14 FT. 
.SUN...E WIND 35 KT. SEAS 10 FT. 
.SUN NIGHT...E WIND 40 KT. SEAS 16 FT. 
.MON...E WIND 40 KT. SEAS 18 FT. 
.TUE...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 13 FT. 
.WED...SW WIND 20 KT. SEAS 11 FT.  

$$

PKZ176-161500-
WESTERN ALEUTIANS KISKA TO ATTU
400 PM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

...GALE WARNING THROUGH SATURDAY...

.TONIGHT...SW WIND 30 KT INCREASING TO 40 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS
18 FT. 
.SAT...SW WIND 40 KT DIMINISHING TO 30 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 18
FT EXCEPT 24 FT FROM SHEMYA W. SNOW.
.SAT NIGHT...SW WIND 30 KT BECOMING S 15 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS
16 FT. 
.SUN...SE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 10 FT. 
.SUN NIGHT...E WIND 35 KT. SEAS 14 FT. 
.MON...NE WIND 35 KT. SEAS 18 FT. 
.TUE...S WIND 25 KT. SEAS 14 FT. 
.WED...SW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 16 FT.  

$$

PKZ185-161500-
ST MATTHEW ISLAND WATERS
400 PM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

.TONIGHT...E WIND 15 KT BECOMING VARIABLE LESS THAN 10 KT AFTER
MIDNIGHT. SNOW.
.SAT...VARIABLE WIND LESS THAN 10 KT BECOMING SE 20 KT IN THE
AFTERNOON.  
.SAT NIGHT...S WIND 20 KT. SNOW.
.SUN...W WIND 15 KT. 
.SUN NIGHT...N WIND 15 KT. 
.MON...NE WIND 20 KT. 
.TUE...E WIND 25 KT. 
.WED...SE WIND 20 KT.  

$$

PKZ179-161500-
PRIBILOF ISLANDS NEAR-SHORE WATERS
400 PM AKDT FRI MAR 15 2013

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...W WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 8 FT. FREEZING
SPRAY. 
.SAT...W WIND 20 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 8 FT. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.SAT NIGHT...SW WIND 30 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 10 FT. SNOW.
.SUN...W WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 11 FT. 
.SUN NIGHT...VARIABLE WIND 10 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 8 FT.
.MON...NE WIND 20 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 5 FT. 
.TUE...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 5 FT. 
.WED...S WIND 15 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 4 FT.  

$$

SOUTHCENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST ALASKA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
1225 PM AKDT THU MAR 14 2013

.ANALYSIS AND UPPER LEVELS...A LARGE CLOSED UPPER LEVEL LOW IS
TRACKING WESTWARD ACROSS MAINLAND ALASKA UNDERNEATH A CLOSED HIGH
CENTERED OVER THE BEAUFORT SEA. A WEAK UPPER LEVEL WAVE ON THE EAST
SIDE OF THE LOW ALONG WITH A SURFACE LOW OVER THE NORTHWEST GULF
ARE BRINGING AREAS OF SNOW TO SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA...PRIMARILY IN
COASTAL AREAS. A TROUGH EXTENDING SOUTHWARD FROM THE LOW CENTER IS
ROTATING EAST-NORTHEASTWARD. AREAS OF SNOW HAVE DEVELOPED OUT AHEAD
OF THIS TROUGH FROM BRISTOL BAY TO THE SOUTH END OF KODIAK ISLAND.

MEANWHILE AN ANCHOR (UPPER LEVEL) LOW IS CENTERED NEAR THE KAMCHATKA
PENINSULA. A DEEP SURFACE LOW IS NEARLY STATIONARY UNDERNEATH THE
UPPER CENTER WHILE A STRONG FRONTAL SYSTEM IS PROGRESSING EASTWARD
ACROSS THE WESTERN BERING AND ALEUTIANS.

.MODEL DISCUSSION...MODELS ARE INCONSISTENT WITH HANDLING OF WEAK
LOWS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS. THE DIFFERENCES IN POSITION WON'T
HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON THE FORECAST...SO WILL GENERALLY TREND THE
FORECAST TOWARD A MIDDLE GROUND SOLUTION.

.SHORT TERM FORECAST...

SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA...THE SURFACE LOW OVER THE NORTHWEST GULF WILL
DISSIPATE THIS AFTERNOON OVER THE KENAI PENINSULA WHILE THE UPPER
LEVEL WAVE EXITS TO INTERIOR ALASKA. AS A RESULT SNOW WILL TAPER
OFF ACROSS SOUTHCENTRAL THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. MEANWHILE THE
UPPER TROUGH AXIS ALONG THE ALASKA PENINSULA WILL SLOWLY PIVOT
NORTHEASTWARD AS THE UPPER LOW CONTINUES A WESTWARD MOVEMENT TOWARD
THE EASTERN BERING. THIS WILL CAUSE AN INCREASE IN SNOW OVER KODIAK
ISLAND AS WE HEAD THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. THIS TROUGH
WILL SHEAR APART FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT AS THE NORTHERN HALF IS
FORCED NORTHWARD AND THE SOUTHERN HALF IS FORCED EASTWARD. BY THE
TIME IT REACHES SOUTHCENTRAL THERE VERTICAL MOTION WILL BE VERY
WEAK SO DON'T EXPECT MORE THAN A FEW SHOWERS ALONG THE COAST.

MEANWHILE A LOW OVER THE NORTHEAST PACIFIC WILL CROSS THE EASTERN
GULF TONIGHT AND FRIDAY AND DISSIPATE SOMEWHERE OVER THE NORTHEAST
GULF FRIDAY NIGHT. THE LOW WILL BE WEAK AND HAVE A SMALL AREA OF
INFLUENCE SO EXPECT LITTLE IMPACT ON SOUTHCENTRAL...PERHAPS A
LITTLE BIT OF SNOW IN THE FAR EASTERN COPPER BASIN AND SOUTHEAST
PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND AREAS (DEPENDING ON THE EXACT TRACK OF THE LOW).

AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND THE FRONT CROSSING THE BERING WILL
REACH THE SOUTHWEST GULF. HOWEVER...ALL MODELS INDICATE FORMATION
OF A LOW SOUTH OF KODIAK ISLAND AND A PROGRESSIVE UPPER TROUGH...
BOTH OF WHICH WILL KEEP MOISTURE FROM MAKING IT TO THE REST OF
SOUTHCENTRAL. THUS THE GENERAL DRY AND COOL PATTERN WILL PERSIST
FOR MUCH OF SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA (ESPECIALLY INLAND AREAS).

SOUTHWEST ALASKA...AS THE UPPER LOW CONTINUES WESTWARD THIS
AFTERNOON AND EVENING AND THE TROUGH EXTENDING SOUTHWARD PIVOTS
TOWARD SOUTHWEST ALASKA SNOW WILL SPREAD NORTH AND WESTWARD.
THE SNOW WILL SET UP IN A ZONE RIGHT AHEAD OF THE TROUGH FROM
BRISTOL BAY TO INTERIOR KUSKOKWIM DELTA. AREAS NORTH OR SOUTH
OF THIS ZONE WILL STAY DRY. THIS ZONE OF SNOW WILL PUSH INLAND
AND TAPER OFF ON FRIDAY AS THE UPPER TROUGH SHEARS APART. THE
FRONT CROSSING THE BERING SEA WILL BRING ANOTHER ROUND OF SNOW
AS IT REACHES THE SOUTHWEST COAST FRIDAY NIGHT. EXPECT A TRIPLE
POINT LOW TO DEVELOP NORTH OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS AND TRACK JUST
WEST OF THE KUSKOKWIM DELTA. THIS MIGHT STRENGTHEN WINDS JUST
ENOUGH TO CAUSE BLIZZARD CONDITIONS. WILL ISSUE A BLIZZARD WATCH
WITH THE AFTERNOON PACKAGE. EXPECT ANOTHER TRIPLE POINT LOW TO
DEVELOP SOUTH OF THE ALASKA PENINSULA FRIDAY NIGHT AND TRACK INTO
THE GULF. WITH THE TWO LOWS MOVING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS SNOW
WILL DIMINISH AS IT HEADS INLAND OVER SOUTHWEST ALASKA SATURDAY
AND SATURDAY NIGHT.

BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS...THE BERING SEA AND ALEUTIANS WILL INITIALLY
SEE A PERIOD OF WESTERLIES ALOFT...WITH ENERGY EXITING THE SOUTH
SIDE OF THE ANCHOR LOW OVER KAMCHATKA. AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND
ONE OF THESE SHORT-WAVES WILL DIG SOUTHEASTWARD INTO THE NORTH
PACIFIC AND CAUSE AMPLIFICATION OF THE UPPER LEVEL PATTERN. THIS
WILL RESULT IN DEVELOPMENT OF A DEEP LOW OVER THE NORTH PACIFIC ON
SUNDAY...POSSIBLY IMPACTING THE ALEUTIANS AS WE HEAD INTO MONDAY.

.LONG TERM FORECAST...A HIGH AMPLITUDE RIDGE WILL BECOME
RE-ESTABLISHED OVER THE EASTERN BERING SEA LATE THIS WEEKEND INTO
EARLY NEXT WEEK. MEDIUM RANGE MODELS INDICATE WEAKENING OF THIS
RIDGE AS WE HEAD THROUGH NEXT WEEK...BUT REMAINING STRONG ENOUGH
TO KEEP STORMS CONFINED TO THE CENTRAL TO WESTERN BERING SEA AND
ALEUTIANS. MAINLAND ALASKA WILL BE COLD AND DRY AS ARCTIC AIR MOVES
DOWN THE EAST SIDE OF THE RIDGE. THIS WILL LIKELY RESULT IN ANOTHER
STRONG WIND EVENT ALONG THE GULF COAST BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK.

.AER/ALU...WATCH/WARNING SUMMARY
PUBLIC...NONE.
MARINE...GALE WARNING...130 172 175 176 179 180 185.
         HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING...126 127 128 130 140 141
                                        160 165 179.
FIRE WEATHER...NONE.

SEB MAR 13