Alert archive / Alaska / Gale Warnings in 2015

Gale Warning 265, NWS Anchorage, AK

March 15, 2015

NWS Anchorage, AK issued this gale warning at Mar 15, 2015, 6:29 PM AKDT. It was in force for 9 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
Mar 15, 2015, 6:29 PM AKDT (02:29 UTC)
Expired
Mar 16, 2015, 3:34 AM AKDT
In force
9 hr
Issued by
NWS Anchorage, AK

The text

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

082 
FZAK51 PAFC 160229 AAC
CWFAER

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
629 PM AKDT SUN MAR 15 2015

UPDATE TO ZONES 121 128 127 138

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST FOR THE NORTHERN GULF OF ALASKA
COAST UP TO 100 NM OUT INCLUDING KODIAK ISLAND AND COOK INLET.

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.

PKZ197-161515-
629 PM AKDT SUN MAR 15 2015
.SYNOPSIS FOR THE NORTH GULF COAST+KODIAK ISLAND WATERS+
COOK INLET...
A FRONT OVER THE SOUTHWESTERN GULF WILL REACH THE NORTHERN GULF
MON MORNING THEN LIFT INLAND MON NIGHT.

$$

PKZ119-161515-
CAPE SUCKLING TO CAPE CLEARE-
629 PM AKDT SUN MAR 15 2015

...STORM WARNING MONDAY...

.TONIGHT...SE WIND 30 KT INCREASING TO 40 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS
12 FT BUILDING TO 18 FT. RAIN AND SNOW. 
.MON...SE WIND 50 KT DIMINISHING TO 40 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS
20 FT. RAIN. 
.MON NIGHT...SE WIND 25 KT DIMINISHING TO 15 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT.
SEAS 17 FT SUBSIDING TO 12 FT. RAIN. 
.TUE...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 11 FT. 
.TUE NIGHT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 10 FT. 
.WED...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 12 FT. 
.THU THROUGH FRI...E WIND 15 KT. SEAS 10 FT.

$$

PKZ120-161515-
CAPE CLEARE TO GORE POINT-
629 PM AKDT SUN MAR 15 2015

...GALE WARNING THROUGH MONDAY...

.TONIGHT...E WIND 30 KT INCREASING TO 40 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS
14 FT BUILDING TO 18 FT. RAIN AND SNOW. 
.MON...SE WIND 40 KT BECOMING S 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS
19 FT SUBSIDING TO 16 FT. RAIN. 
.MON NIGHT...S WIND 20 KT. SEAS 15 FT. 
.TUE...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS 10 FT. 
.TUE NIGHT...NE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 12 FT. 
.WED...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 11 FT. 
.THU THROUGH FRI...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS 10 FT.

$$

PKZ121-161515-
RESURRECTION BAY-
629 PM AKDT SUN MAR 15 2015

.TONIGHT...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT. HIGHER WINDS AND SEAS S OF
CAINES HEAD. SNOW.
.MON...N WIND 15 KT BECOMING S 15 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 3 FT.
HIGHER WINDS AND SEAS S OF CAINES HEAD. RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS.
.MON NIGHT...S WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. HIGHER SEAS S OF CAINES
HEAD. RAIN SHOWERS. 20
.TUE...S WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.TUE NIGHT...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT. 
.WED THROUGH THU...N WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.FRI...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT.

$$

PKZ125-161515-
PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND-
629 PM AKDT SUN MAR 15 2015

...GALE WARNING THROUGH MONDAY...

.TONIGHT...E WIND INCREASING TO 35 KT. SEAS BUILDING TO 9 FT.
SNOW AND RAIN. 
.MON...E WIND 45 KT DIMINISHING TO 25 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. GUSTS
TO 55 KT DURING THE MORNING NEAR HINCHINBROOK ENTRANCE. SEAS
12 FT SUBSIDING TO 6 FT. RAIN AND SNOW. 
.MON NIGHT...SE WIND 20 KT BECOMING E 10 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS
4 FT SUBSIDING. RAIN AND SNOW. 
.TUE...NE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.TUE NIGHT...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT. 
.WED THROUGH THU...E WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT. 
.FRI...NE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT.

$$

PKZ126-161515-
PORT VALDEZ-
629 PM AKDT SUN MAR 15 2015

.TONIGHT...NE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. SNOW. 
.MON...VARIABLE WIND LESS THAN 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. SNOW AND RAIN. 
.MON NIGHT...VARIABLE WIND LESS THAN 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. SNOW AND
RAIN. 
.TUE AND TUE NIGHT...E WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.WED THROUGH FRI...NE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT.

$$

PKZ127-161515-
VALDEZ NARROWS-
629 PM AKDT SUN MAR 15 2015

...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING TONIGHT...
...GALE WARNING THROUGH MONDAY...

.TONIGHT...NE WIND 35 KT. SEAS 4 FT. SNOW. HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY.
.MON...NE WIND 35 KT DIMINISHING TO 25 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS
4 FT. SNOW AND RAIN.
.MON NIGHT...NE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 3 FT. SNOW AND RAIN. 
.TUE AND TUE NIGHT...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT. 
.WED THROUGH FRI...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT.

$$

PKZ128-161515-
VALDEZ ARM-
629 PM AKDT SUN MAR 15 2015

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 3 FT. SNOW. FREEZING SPRAY. 
.MON...NE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 4 FT. SNOW AND RAIN.
.MON NIGHT...NE WIND 15 KT DIMINISHING TO 10 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT.
SEAS 3 FT. RAIN AND SNOW. 
.TUE AND TUE NIGHT...NE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.WED THROUGH FRI...NE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT.

$$

PKZ129-161515-
PASSAGE CANAL-
629 PM AKDT SUN MAR 15 2015

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

.TONIGHT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 4 FT. SNOW. HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY. 
.MON...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 5 FT. SNOW AND RAIN. 
.MON NIGHT...E WIND 15 KT DIMINISHING TO 10 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT.
SEAS 2 FT. SNOW AND RAIN SHOWERS. 
.TUE AND TUE NIGHT...E WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.WED THROUGH THU...E WIND 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.FRI...E WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT.

$$

PKZ130-161515-
WEST OF BARREN ISLANDS INCLUDING KAMISHAK BAY-
629 PM AKDT SUN MAR 15 2015

...STORM WARNING TONIGHT...
...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE WIND 50 KT DIMINISHING TO 40 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT.
GUSTS TO 60 KT. SEAS 18 FT SUBSIDING TO 13 FT. SNOW SHOWERS.
HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY. 
.MON...NE WIND 35 KT BECOMING E 15 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS
11 FT SUBSIDING TO 5 FT. SNOW AND RAIN SHOWERS. 
.MON NIGHT...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.TUE AND TUE NIGHT...NE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.WED...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 6 FT. 
.THU THROUGH FRI...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 4 FT.

$$

PKZ131-161515-
BARREN ISLANDS EAST-
629 PM AKDT SUN MAR 15 2015

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SE WIND 40 KT DIMINISHING TO 30 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT.
SEAS 17 FT. RAIN AND SNOW. 
.MON...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 16 FT. RAIN. 
.MON NIGHT...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 12 FT. 
.TUE...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 11 FT. 
.TUE NIGHT...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 13 FT. 
.WED...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 11 FT. 
.THU...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.FRI...E WIND 15 KT. SEAS 10 FT.

$$

PKZ132-161515-
MARMOT ISLAND TO SITKINAK-
629 PM AKDT SUN MAR 15 2015

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...S WIND 15 KT. N OF DANGEROUS CAPE...SE WIND 30 KT
BECOMING SW 20 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS 15 FT. RAIN. 
.MON...S WIND 20 KT. SEAS 14 FT. 
.MON NIGHT...SE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 14 FT. 
.TUE AND TUE NIGHT...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 15 FT. 
.WED...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 10 FT. 
.THU...SE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 10 FT. 
.FRI...E WIND 15 KT. SEAS 7 FT.

$$

PKZ136-161515-
CHINIAK BAY-
629 PM AKDT SUN MAR 15 2015

.TONIGHT...SE WIND 20 KT BECOMING S 10 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS
6 FT SUBSIDING TO 3 FT. RAIN AND SNOW. 
.MON...S WIND 15 KT. SEAS 5 FT. 
.MON NIGHT...S WIND 20 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.TUE...SE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.TUE NIGHT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.WED...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS 6 FT. 
.THU...E WIND 10 KT. SEAS 4 FT. 
.FRI...VARIABLE WIND LESS THAN 10 KT. SEAS 3 FT.

$$

PKZ137-161515-
MARMOT BAY-
629 PM AKDT SUN MAR 15 2015

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SE WIND 25 KT BECOMING S 10 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS
8 FT SUBSIDING TO 4 FT. RAIN. 
.MON...SW WIND 15 KT. SEAS 5 FT. 
.MON NIGHT...SE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.TUE...SE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.TUE NIGHT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 9 FT. 
.WED...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS 7 FT. 
.THU...E WIND 15 KT. SEAS 4 FT. 
.FRI...NE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 3 FT.

$$

PKZ138-161515-
SHELIKOF STRAIT-
629 PM AKDT SUN MAR 15 2015

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TONIGHT AND MONDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...E WIND 25 KT BECOMING VARIABLE 10 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT.
SEAS 5 FT SUBSIDING TO 3 FT. RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS. 
.MON...VARIABLE WIND 10 KT BECOMING SW 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON.
SEAS BUILDING TO 5 FT. RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS.
.MON NIGHT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 5 FT. 
.TUE...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 5 FT. 
.TUE NIGHT...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.WED...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 8 FT. 
.THU...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS 5 FT. 
.FRI...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT.

$$

PKZ139-161515-
COOK INLET KALGIN ISLAND TO POINT BEDE-
629 PM AKDT SUN MAR 15 2015

...STORM WARNING TONIGHT...
...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE WIND 50 KT DIMINISHING TO 40 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT.
SEAS 18 FT SUBSIDING TO 14 FT. SNOW SHOWERS. HEAVY FREEZING
SPRAY. 
.MON...NE WIND 35 KT DIMINISHING TO 15 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS
11 FT SUBSIDING TO 6 FT. SNOW AND RAIN SHOWERS. 
.MON NIGHT...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT. 
.TUE...NE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 4 FT. 
.TUE NIGHT...NE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 6 FT. 
.WED...NE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 6 FT. 
.THU THROUGH FRI...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 4 FT.

$$

PKZ140-161515-
COOK INLET NORTH OF KALGIN ISLAND-
629 PM AKDT SUN MAR 15 2015

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

.TONIGHT...N WIND 30 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 5 FT. HEAVY
FREEZING SPRAY. 
.MON...NE WIND 30 KT DIMINISHING TO 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS
IN ICE FREE WATERS 6 FT SUBSIDING TO 4 FT IN THE AFTERNOON. SNOW
SHOWERS. 
.MON NIGHT...VARIABLE WIND LESS THAN 10 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE
WATERS 2 FT. 
.TUE...NE WIND 10 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 2 FT. 
.TUE NIGHT...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 3 FT. 
.WED...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 3 FT. 
.THU THROUGH FRI...N WIND 10 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 2 FT.

$$

PKZ141-161515-
KACHEMAK BAY-
629 PM AKDT SUN MAR 15 2015

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT. NEAR THE OUTER BAY...NE WIND
25 KT DIMINISHING TO 15 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS 5 FT SUBSIDING TO
3 FT. SNOW AND RAIN. FREEZING SPRAY IN THE EVENING. 
.MON...E WIND 15 KT BECOMING S IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 3 FT. RAIN
AND SNOW. 
.MON NIGHT...SE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT. 
.TUE AND TUE NIGHT...NE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 4 FT. 
.WED...NE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 4 FT. 
.THU THROUGH FRI...NE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT.

$$
1 follow-up statement
888 
FZAK51 PAFC 161134
CWFAER

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE ALASKA
334 AM AKDT MON MAR 16 2015

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST FOR THE NORTHERN GULF OF ALASKA COAST
UP TO 100 NM OUT INCLUDING KODIAK ISLAND AND COOK INLET.

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.

PKZ197-170100-
334 AM AKDT MON MAR 16 2015
.SYNOPSIS FOR THE NORTH GULF COAST+KODIAK ISLAND WATERS+
COOK INLET...

A FRONT OVER THE CENTRAL GULF THIS MORNING WILL LIFT NORTHEAST
TODAY AND INLAND TONIGHT. AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE WILL ENTER THE
SOUTHERN GULF AT 1000 MB LATE TONIGHT AND TRACK TO 300 NM SOUTH OF
CORDOVA AT 996 MB TUE AFTERNOON. IT WILL THEN WEAKEN TO A TROUGH
AS IT SWINGS TOWARDS THE NORTHWEST GULF COAST TUE NIGHT.

$$

PKZ119-170100-
CAPE SUCKLING TO CAPE CLEARE-
334 AM AKDT MON MAR 16 2015

...STORM WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...SE WIND 50 KT DIMINISHING TO 35 KT IN THE AFTERNOON.
SEAS 20 FT. RAIN.
.TONIGHT...SE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 16 FT.
.TUE...NE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 11 FT.
.TUE NIGHT...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 11 FT.
.WED...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 12 FT.
.THU...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS 8 FT.
.FRI...E WIND 15 KT. SEAS 8 FT.

$$

PKZ120-170100-
CAPE CLEARE TO GORE POINT-
334 AM AKDT MON MAR 16 2015

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...SE WIND 40 KT BECOMING S 25 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. 
SEAS 20 FT. RAIN.
.TONIGHT...S WIND 20 KT. SEAS 14 FT.
.TUE...E WIND 20 KT BECOMING NE 30 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. 
SEAS 11 FT.
.TUE NIGHT...NE WIND 35 KT. SEAS 12 FT.
.WED...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 11 FT.
.THU THROUGH FRI...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS 9 FT.

$$

PKZ121-170100-
RESURRECTION BAY-
334 AM AKDT MON MAR 16 2015

.TODAY...VARIABLE WIND LESS THAN 10 KT BECOMING S 15 KT IN THE
AFTERNOON. SEAS BUILDING TO 3 FT. HIGHER WINDS AND SEAS S OF
CAINES HEAD. RAIN AND SNOW.
.TONIGHT...S WIND 10 KT IN THE EVENING BECOMING VARIABLE LESS THAN
10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. HIGHER SEAS S OF CAINES HEAD. RAIN.
.TUE...N WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. HIGHER SEAS S OF CAINES HEAD.
.TUE NIGHT AND WED...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT.
.THU...N WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT.
.FRI...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT.

$$

PKZ125-170100-
PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND-
334 AM AKDT MON MAR 16 2015

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...E WIND 45 KT DIMINISHING TO 35 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS
12 FT SUBSIDING TO 9 FT IN THE AFTERNOON. RAIN AND SNOW.
.TONIGHT...SE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 4 FT. RAIN.
.TUE...E WIND 10 KT BECOMING N 15 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 3 FT.
.TUE NIGHT AND WED...NE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 4 FT.
.THU...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT.
.FRI...NE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT.

$$

PKZ126-170100-
PORT VALDEZ-
334 AM AKDT MON MAR 16 2015

.TODAY...VARIABLE WIND LESS THAN 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. SNOW.
.TONIGHT...VARIABLE WIND LESS THAN 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT. SNOW.
.TUE AND TUE NIGHT...VARIABLE WIND LESS THAN 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT.
.WED...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT.
.THU THROUGH FRI...NE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT.

$$

PKZ127-170100-
VALDEZ NARROWS-
334 AM AKDT MON MAR 16 2015

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TODAY...

.TODAY...NE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 3 FT. SNOW. FREEZING SPRAY IN THE
MORNING.
.TONIGHT...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT. SNOW AND RAIN.
.TUE AND TUE NIGHT...NE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 3 FT.
.WED THROUGH FRI...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT.

$$

PKZ128-170100-
VALDEZ ARM-
334 AM AKDT MON MAR 16 2015

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TODAY...

.TODAY...NE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 5 FT. SNOW AND RAIN.
.TONIGHT...SE WIND 15 KT BECOMING NE 10 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. 
SEAS 3 FT. RAIN.
.TUE AND TUE NIGHT...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT.
.WED THROUGH FRI...NE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT.

$$

PKZ129-170100-
PASSAGE CANAL-
334 AM AKDT MON MAR 16 2015

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...E WIND 35 KT. SEAS 5 FT. RAIN AND SNOW.
.TONIGHT...E WIND 20 KT DIMINISHING TO 10 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. 
SEAS 3 FT. RAIN.
.TUE AND TUE NIGHT...VARIABLE WIND LESS THAN 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT.
.WED...E WIND 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT.
.THU THROUGH FRI...E WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT.

$$

PKZ130-170100-
WEST OF BARREN ISLANDS INCLUDING KAMISHAK BAY-
334 AM AKDT MON MAR 16 2015

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...NE WIND 45 KT BECOMING SE 25 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS
15 FT SUBSIDING TO 8 FT IN THE AFTERNOON. RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS.
.TONIGHT...SE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 7 FT.
.TUE...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 6 FT.
.TUE NIGHT AND WED...NE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 10 FT.
.THU...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS 5 FT.
.FRI...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT.

$$

PKZ131-170100-
BARREN ISLANDS EAST-
334 AM AKDT MON MAR 16 2015

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...E WIND 35 KT BECOMING S 30 KT BY LATE MORNING. 
SEAS 17 FT.
.TONIGHT...S WIND 20 KT. SEAS 12 FT.
.TUE...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 11 FT.
.TUE NIGHT...E WIND 35 KT. SEAS 13 FT.
.WED...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 11 FT.
.THU...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 10 FT.
.FRI...E WIND 15 KT. SEAS 8 FT.

$$

PKZ132-170100-
MARMOT ISLAND TO SITKINAK-
334 AM AKDT MON MAR 16 2015

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...S WIND 25 KT. N OF DANGEROUS CAPE...SE WIND 35 KT
BECOMING S 25 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 15 FT.
.TONIGHT...S WIND 25 KT. SEAS 12 FT.
.TUE...SE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 12 FT.
.TUE NIGHT...E WIND 35 KT. SEAS 13 FT.
.WED...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 12 FT.
.THU...SE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 9 FT.
.FRI...E WIND 15 KT. SEAS 6 FT.

$$

PKZ136-170100-
CHINIAK BAY-
334 AM AKDT MON MAR 16 2015

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TODAY AND TUESDAY...

.TODAY...SE WIND 25 KT BECOMING S 20 KT BY LATE MORNING. 
SEAS 7 FT. RAIN SHOWERS.
.TONIGHT...S WIND 20 KT. SEAS 6 FT.
.TUE...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 6 FT.
.TUE NIGHT...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 8 FT.
.WED...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS 4 FT.
.THU...E WIND 15 KT. SEAS 4 FT.
.FRI...VARIABLE WIND LESS THAN 10 KT. SEAS 3 FT.

$$

PKZ137-170100-
MARMOT BAY-
334 AM AKDT MON MAR 16 2015

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TODAY AND TUESDAY...

.TODAY...SE WIND 30 KT BECOMING S 20 KT BY LATE MORNING. 
SEAS 8 FT. RAIN SHOWERS.
.TONIGHT...S WIND 20 KT. SEAS 7 FT.
.TUE...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT.
.TUE NIGHT...E WIND 30 KT. SEAS 10 FT.
.WED...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS 5 FT.
.THU...E WIND 15 KT. SEAS 5 FT.
.FRI...NE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 3 FT.

$$

PKZ138-170100-
SHELIKOF STRAIT-
334 AM AKDT MON MAR 16 2015

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TUESDAY...

.TODAY...SE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 4 FT. RAIN SHOWERS.
.TONIGHT...SE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 4 FT.
.TUE...E WIND 20 KT BECOMING NE 30 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 5 FT
BUILDING TO 9 FT IN THE AFTERNOON.
.TUE NIGHT...NE WIND 35 KT. SEAS 12 FT.
.WED...E WIND 25 KT. SEAS 6 FT.
.THU...E WIND 20 KT. SEAS 5 FT.
.FRI...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT.

$$

PKZ139-170100-
COOK INLET KALGIN ISLAND TO POINT BEDE-
334 AM AKDT MON MAR 16 2015

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...NE WIND 40 KT BECOMING S 25 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 13
FT SUBSIDING TO 7 FT IN THE AFTERNOON. RAIN AND SNOW. FREEZING
SPRAY IN THE MORNING N OF ANCHOR POINT.
.TONIGHT...SE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 4 FT. RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS.
.TUE...NE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 5 FT.
.TUE NIGHT...NE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 7 FT.
.WED THROUGH THU...NE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 6 FT.
.FRI...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 4 FT.

$$

PKZ140-170100-
COOK INLET NORTH OF KALGIN ISLAND-
334 AM AKDT MON MAR 16 2015

...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING TODAY...
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TODAY...

.TODAY...NE WIND 30 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 7 FT. SNOW AND
RAIN. HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY IN THE MORNING.
.TONIGHT...SE WIND 10 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 2 FT.
.TUE...NE WIND 10 KT INCREASING TO 15 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS IN
ICE FREE WATERS 3 FT.
.TUE NIGHT AND WED...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 3 FT.
.THU THROUGH FRI...N WIND 10 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 2 FT.

$$

PKZ141-170100-
KACHEMAK BAY-
334 AM AKDT MON MAR 16 2015

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TODAY...

.TODAY...NE WIND 25 KT BECOMING S 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. 
SEAS 4 FT. RAIN.
.TONIGHT...SE WIND 15 KT DIMINISHING TO 10 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. 
SEAS 2 FT. RAIN SHOWERS.
.TUE...E WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT.
.TUE NIGHT AND WED...NE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 4 FT.
.THU...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT.
.FRI...NE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 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 Mar 15, 4:53 PM AKDT, 1 hour 36 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 15, 4:53 PM AKDT, 1 hour 36 minutes before
SOUTHCENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST ALASKA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
453 PM AKDT SUN MAR 15 2015

.ANALYSIS AND UPPER LEVELS...

THE UPPER LEVEL PATTERN SHOWS ZONAL FLOW IN THE NORTHERN PART OF
THE STATE WITH A LOW OVER THE EASTERN BERING SEA. THIS IS BRINGING
SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST FLOW ALOFT OVER SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA WITH WEAK
FLOW ALOFT OVER SOUTHWEST ALASKA. THE 250 MB JET STREAM IS WELL
SOUTH OF THE AREA BUT IS PEAKING AT A VERY IMPRESSIVE 200 KT
BETWEEN 35N AND 40N. THIS PATTERN WILL KEEP THE JET WELL SOUTH OF
THE AREA FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WEEK. AT THE SURFACE A STRONG
LOW AROUND 970 MB IS CENTERED NEAR THE WESTERN TIP OF THE ALASKA
PENINSULA. AN OCCLUDED FRONT IS REACHING INTO THE KUSKOKWIM DELTA
AND BRISTOL BAY FROM THIS LOW AND THEN THE FRONT CONTINUES OVER
SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA. THE ARCTIC FRONT REMAINS OVER SOUTHCENTRAL
ALASKA AND WILL BE PUSHED NORTHWARD OVER THE NEXT DAY AS WARM
SOUTHEAST FLOW AT THE SURFACE CONTINUES.

&&

.MODEL DISCUSSION...

MODELS DID INITIALIZE WELL AND ARE IN GOOD AGREEMENT OVERALL WITH
THE MAJOR FEATURES. BY TUESDAY THE AGREEMENT IN THE GULF OF ALASKA
AREA BREAKS DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE SOUTHEAST FLOW. THE ECMWF
AND GEM REGIONAL ARE KEEPING GENERALLY SOUTHEAST FLOW OVER THE
GULF WITH NO EMBEDDED WAVES OF SIGNIFICANCE. THE GFS IS TRYING TO
EXTEND A TROUGH INTO THE EASTERN GULF AT THIS TIME WHILE THE 18Z
NAM HAS GONE FOR A CLOSED LOW APPROACHING MIDDLETON ISLAND...A
SOLUTION THAT DOES NOT SEEM VERY LIKELY. WHILE THE ECMWF WAS THE
PREFERRED SOLUTION...THE MAIN POINT IS THAT THERE IS A HIGHER
DEGREE OF UNCERTAINTY THAN USUAL WITH SUCH A LARGE SPREAD OF
SOLUTIONS IN THE SHORT TERM PERIOD OF THE MODEL RUNS. THE MODELS
ARE ALSO GIVING A RATHER LARGE SPREAD IN THE EXACT PLACEMENT OF
THE ELONGATED LOW IN THE EASTERN BERING SEA TUESDAY AS WELL.
HOWEVER THIS WILL HAVE LESS IMPACT ON THE FORECAST AS THE AXIS OF
THE TROUGH IS VERY SIMILAR ON ALL MODELS.

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA (DAYS 1 AND 2)...
THE WEATHER FRONT ASSOCIATED WITH THE NORTH PACIFIC LOW OVER THE
EASTERN ALEUTIANS IS POSITIONED NEAR THE BARREN ISLANDS EXTENDING
INTO THE WESTERN GULF. THE WARM AIR HAS MOVED INTO KODIAK ISLAND
AND THE PRECIPITATION HAS QUICKLY CHANGED FROM SNOW/RAIN MIXTURE
TO ALL RAIN WITH GUSTY EASTERLY WINDS. THIS FRONTAL BOUNDARY WILL
MOVE INTO THE EASTERN KENAI COASTAL AND INLAND AREAS THIS
EVENING. THIS WILL BRING MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL WITH GUSTY
WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW TO THE EASTERN KENAI PENINSULA TONIGHT AND
MONDAY. GUSTY WINDS ACCOMPANYING SNOWFALL WILL PRODUCE BLIZZARD
CONDITIONS MAINLY PORTAGE VALLEY THROUGH TURNAGAIN ARM
TONIGHT AND MONDAY...THOUGH SOME LOCALIZED BLIZZARD CONDITIONS
COULD BE EXPERIENCED ALONG THE SEWARD HIGHWAY FROM MOOSE PASS
NORTH. BY MONDAY MORNING THE WARMER AIR WILL MOVE INTO THE INLAND
AREAS WITH THE PRECIPITATION TURNING TO ALL RAIN. THE WINDS WILL
GRADUALLY DIMINISH AS THE WEATHER FRONT MOVES FARTHER INLAND AND
FALLS APART. THE ANCHORAGE BOWL AND THE MAJORITY OF WESTERN KENAI
WILL "DOWN-SLOPE" OUT WITH DRIER CONDITIONS BUT THERE WILL BE SOME
SNOW SHOWERS SPILLING OVER THE MOUNTAINS. THE SUSITNA VALLEY WILL
BEGIN TO HAVE SNOW PUSHING UP THE VALLEY FROM THE SOUTH WITH THE
WESTERN VALLEY GETTING UPSLOPE CONDITIONS RESULTING IN ADVISORY
LEVEL SNOWFALL AMOUNTS. THEREFORE...A SNOW ADVISORY WAS ISSUED
WEST OF THE PARKS HIGHWAY BEGINNING LATE SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH
MONDAY NIGHT. THE SYNOPTIC SURFACE WIND FLOW WILL PRIMARILY BE OUT
OF THE SOUTH GOING INTO TUESDAY BRINGING WARMER TEMPERATURES TO
THE REGION.

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHWEST ALASKA (DAYS 1 AND 2)...
THE MAIN IMPACTS THIS EVENING WILL BE LIGHT SNOW WITH AREAS OF
BLOWING SNOW OVER THE KUSKOKWIM DELTA AS A FAIRLY POTENT
DISTURBANCE MOVES QUICKLY NORTH AND WEST THROUGH MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.
AT THIS TIME NOT EXPECTING TO MEET BLOWING SNOW ADVISORY CRITERIA
BUT IT IS POSSIBLE IN ISOLATED LOCATIONS FOR BRIEF PERIODS. THE
OTHER AREA OF CONCERN IS THE POTENTIAL FOR LOCALLY HEAVY SNOWFALL
OVER THE NORTHEASTERN BRISTOL BAY ZONE MAINLY FROM ILIAMNA
NORTH...AND EXTENDING INTO THE KUSKOKWIM VALLEY TOWARD THE
COMMUNITIES OF STONY RIVER AND SLEETMUTE. THE MAIN CAUSE OF THIS
HEAVIER BAND OF SNOW WILL ANOTHER APPROACHING DISTURBANCE LATE
THIS EVENING THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING COMBINING WITH A FAVORABLE
MID-LEVEL JET DYNAMICS WITH GOOD MOISTURE ADVECTION ALOFT IN THE
SNOW GROWTH LAYER. THE 12Z GFS IS DEPICTING AS MUCH AS 8 INCHES
OVERNIGHT TOWARD STONY RIVER IN THE KUSKOKWIM RIVER VALLEY BUT
WILL PLAY IT MORE CONSERVATIVE IN THE 2 TO 5 INCH RANGE.

ANOTHER DISTURBANCE MOVES NORTH ACROSS THE WESTERN CAPES AND THE
KUSKOKWIM DELTA MONDAY NIGHT INTO TUESDAY...AND WILL BRING ANOTHER
COUPLE OF INCHES OF SNOW TO THESE AREAS. AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW
WILL LIKELY BE A CONCERN BUT AT THIS TIME IT APPEARS WINDS SHOULD
REMAIN LIGHT ENOUGH FOR THERE NOT TO BE ANY WARNING OR ADVISORY
CONCERNS.

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS (DAYS 1 AND 2)...
THE MAIN IMPACTS FOR THE BERING SEA REGION WILL BE AN EXTENDED
PERIOD OF BLOWING SNOW WITH STRONG NORTH WINDS OF 30 TO 50 MPH FOR
THE PRIBILOFS...WITH THE POTENTIAL AT TIMES FOR VISIBILITIES TO
FALL BELOW 1 MILE. THE EC SOLUTION ESPECIALLY WOULD SUGGEST THE
POTENTIAL FOR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS TOWARD LATE MONDAY NIGHT INTO
TUESDAY...BUT THERE IS STILL ENOUGH DISAGREEMENT IN WHERE THE LOW
PRESSURE AND ASSOCIATED HEAVIER SNOW DEVELOP TO FOREGO ISSUING A
WATCH AT THIS TIME.

OTHERWISE...RAIN AND RAIN SHOWERS WILL IMPACT THE ALASKA PENINSULA
AND EASTERN ALEUTIANS FOR MOST OF THE NEXT FEW DAYS...WITH
SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS IN COLD ADVECTION FLOW ACROSS THE CENTRAL
AND WESTERN BERING.

&&

.LONG TERM FORECAST (DAYS 3 THROUGH 7)...

MODELS ARE IN AGREEMENT THAT A BROADLY CYCLONIC JET WILL CURVE
THOUGH THE NORTH PACIFIC BETWEEN 30N AND 40N THIS WEEK. IT WILL
ALLOW AN UPPER LOW TO MOVE JUST SOUTH OF THE AKPEN AND REMAIN
ESSENTIALLY STATIONARY. WAVES WILL MOVE AROUND THE LOW AND AFFECT
THE EASTERN GULF OF AK. BEYOND THIS SYNOPTIC PICTURE THE MODELS
RAPIDLY FALL INTO DISARRAY CONCERNING ASSOCIATED SURFACE FEATURES.

THE WPC SOLUTION HEAVILY INCORPORATED THE EC ENSEMBLE WITH
SEVERAL OTHER COMPONENTS. THIS CONSOLIDATES A SURFACE LOW SOUTH OF
THE AKPEN TUE NIGHT THAT MOVES OVER THE EASTERN ALEUTIANS BY
THU..AND THEN DISSIPATES OVER THE EASTERN BERING ON SAT. LOWS AND
ASSOCIATED FRONTS MOVING AROUND THE UPPER LOW REACH THE NORTH GULF
COAST THU AND SAT. FINALLY...A NORTH PACIFIC LOW MOVES TO THE
CENTRAL ALEUTIANS ON SUN.

THE FORECAST UTILIZED WPC BUT ALSO ENHANCED THE WIND FIELD AND
OTHER FEATURES USING THE OPERATIONAL EC, WHICH OFTEN RESEMBLED
WPC GUIDANCE.

&&

.AFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PUBLIC...BLIZZARD WARNING 125. SNOW ADVISORY 145.
MARINE...STORMS 119 139. GALES 120 125 131 150 155 160 170 173
174 175 176 177 179 180 185 351 352 412 413 414.
FIRE WEATHER...NONE.

&&

SYNOPSIS AND MODEL DISCUSSION...EZ
SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA...PD
SOUTHWEST ALASKA/BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS...CC
LONG TERM...DS

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 15, 4:10 PM AKDTWinter Weather AdvisoryAFC28 hr
Mar 16, 3:34 AM AKDTGale WarningAFC4 days
Mar 16, 3:34 AM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC5 days
Mar 16, 3:45 AM AKDTBrisk Wind AdvisoryAFC6 days
Mar 16, 3:45 AM AKDTGale WarningAFC60 hr
Mar 16, 3:45 AM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC4 days
Mar 16, 3:45 AM AKDTHeavy Freezing Spray WarningAFC6 days
Mar 16, 4:32 AM AKDTBlizzard WatchAFC11 hr
Mar 16, 10:57 AM AKDTWinter Weather AdvisoryAFC5 hr
Mar 16, 2:08 PM AKDTGale WarningAFC14 hr
Mar 16, 3:21 PM AKDTBrisk Wind AdvisoryAFC48 hr
Mar 16, 3:21 PM AKDTGale WarningAFC48 hr
Mar 16, 3:21 PM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC24 hr
Mar 16, 3:21 PM AKDTStorm WarningAFC24 hr
Mar 16, 3:34 PM AKDTGale WarningAFC4 days
Mar 16, 3:34 PM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC12 hr
Mar 16, 3:52 PM AKDTBlizzard WarningAFC27 hr

Nearby

Gale Warnings in Alaska, 2015Every gale warning in 2015

Sources

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