Gale Warning 227, NWS Anchorage, AK

Issued

Mar 14, 2017, 3:00 PM AKDT (23:00 UTC)

Expired

Mar 15, 2017, 3:30 AM AKDT

In force

13 hr

Issued by

NWS Anchorage, AK

804 
FZAK51 PAFC 142300
CWFAER

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE ALASKA
300 PM AKDT TUE MAR 14 2017

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.

PKZ197-151130-
300 PM AKDT TUE MAR 14 2017
.SYNOPSIS FOR THE NORTH GULF COAST+KODIAK ISLAND WATERS+
COOK INLET...

A BROAD 989 MB LOW CENTER 150 NM SOUTH OF MIDDLETON ISLAND WILL 
REMAIN NEARLY STATIONARY AT AROUND THE SAME INTENSITY THROUGH THU 
MORNING...THEN SHIFT SOUTHWARD INTO THE NORTH PACIFIC BY THU 
AFTERNOON.

$$

PKZ119-151130-
CAPE SUCKLING TO CAPE CLEARE-
300 PM AKDT TUE MAR 14 2017

...GALE WARNING WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE WIND 30 KT. GUSTS TO 40 KT OUT OF THE COPPER RIVER
DELTA. SEAS 7 FT.
.WED...NE WIND 40 KT. SEAS 9 FT. SNOW SHOWERS.
.WED NIGHT...NE WIND 35 KT. SEAS 8 FT. SNOW SHOWERS.
.THU...NE WIND 35 KT. SEAS 9 FT.
.THU NIGHT...NE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 7 FT.
.FRI...NE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 6 FT.
.SAT...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 5 FT.
.SUN...VARIABLE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 5 FT.

$$

PKZ120-151130-
CAPE CLEARE TO GORE POINT-
300 PM AKDT TUE MAR 14 2017

...GALE WARNING WEDNESDAY...

.TONIGHT...N WIND 30 KT. GUSTS TO 45 KT OUT OF BAYS AND PASSES. SEAS
7 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.WED...N WIND 35 KT. SEAS 9 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.WED NIGHT...N WIND 30 KT. SEAS 9 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.THU...N WIND 30 KT. SEAS 8 FT.
.THU NIGHT...NE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 8 FT.
.FRI...N WIND 20 KT. SEAS 6 FT.
.SAT...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 4 FT.
.SUN...E WIND 15 KT. SEAS 4 FT.

$$

PKZ121-151130-
RESURRECTION BAY-
300 PM AKDT TUE MAR 14 2017

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...
...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N WIND 35 KT. GUSTS TO 45 KT. SEAS 7 FT. HEAVY FREEZING 
SPRAY.
.WED...N WIND 25 KT. SEAS 5 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.WED NIGHT...N WIND 30 KT. SEAS 6 FT. HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY.
.THU AND THU NIGHT...N WIND 30 KT. SEAS 6 FT.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...N WIND 25 KT. SEAS 5 FT.

$$

PKZ125-151130-
PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND-
300 PM AKDT TUE MAR 14 2017

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

.TONIGHT...N WIND 25 KT. SEAS 4 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.WED...N WIND 25 KT. SEAS 5 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.WED NIGHT...N WIND 25 KT. SEAS 5 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.THU...N WIND 25 KT. SEAS 5 FT.
.THU NIGHT...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT.

$$

PKZ126-151130-
PORT VALDEZ-
300 PM AKDT TUE MAR 14 2017

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

.TONIGHT...NE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 6 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.WED AND WED NIGHT...NE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 6 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.THU...NE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 5 FT.
.THU NIGHT...NE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 4 FT.
.FRI...NE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 4 FT.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT.

$$

PKZ127-151130-
VALDEZ NARROWS-
300 PM AKDT TUE MAR 14 2017

...GALE WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE WIND 35 KT. SEAS 4 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.WED...NE WIND 35 KT. SEAS 4 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.WED NIGHT...NE WIND 40 KT. SEAS 4 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.THU...NE WIND 35 KT. SEAS 4 FT.
.THU NIGHT...NE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 3 FT.
.FRI...NE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 3 FT.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...NE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 3 FT.

$$

PKZ128-151130-
VALDEZ ARM-
300 PM AKDT TUE MAR 14 2017

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE WIND 35 KT. SEAS 6 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.WED AND WED NIGHT...NE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 6 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.THU...NE WIND 30 KT. SEAS 6 FT.
.THU NIGHT...NE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 5 FT.
.FRI...NE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 5 FT.
.SAT...NE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 4 FT.
.SUN...NE WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT.

$$

PKZ129-151130-
PASSAGE CANAL-
300 PM AKDT TUE MAR 14 2017

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

.TONIGHT...W WIND 30 KT. SEAS 4 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.WED...W WIND 25 KT. SEAS 3 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.WED NIGHT...W WIND 25 KT. SEAS 3 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.THU...W WIND 20 KT. SEAS 2 FT.
.THU NIGHT...W WIND 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT.
.FRI...W WIND 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...W WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT.

$$

PKZ130-151130-
WEST OF BARREN ISLANDS INCLUDING KAMISHAK BAY-
300 PM AKDT TUE MAR 14 2017

...GALE WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW WIND 35 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 10 FT. FREEZING
SPRAY.
.WED...NW WIND 40 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 13 FT. FREEZING
SPRAY.
.WED NIGHT...NW WIND 40 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 13 FT.
FREEZING SPRAY.
.THU...NW WIND 40 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 11 FT.
.THU NIGHT...NW WIND 30 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 8 FT.
.FRI...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 7 FT.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...NW WIND 20 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 5 FT.

$$

PKZ131-151130-
BARREN ISLANDS EAST-
300 PM AKDT TUE MAR 14 2017

...GALE WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N WIND 45 KT. SEAS 10 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.WED AND WED NIGHT...N WIND 45 KT. SEAS 10 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.THU...N WIND 45 KT. SEAS 11 FT.
.THU NIGHT...N WIND 30 KT. SEAS 9 FT.
.FRI...NW WIND 30 KT. SEAS 7 FT.
.SAT...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 6 FT.
.SUN...NW WIND 15 KT. SEAS 5 FT.

$$

PKZ132-151130-
MARMOT ISLAND TO SITKINAK-
300 PM AKDT TUE MAR 14 2017

...GALE WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N WIND 40 KT. SEAS 12 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.WED...NW WIND 30 KT EXCEPT N 45 KT N OF DANGEROUS CAPE. SEAS 12
FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.WED NIGHT...NW WIND 45 KT. SEAS 13 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.THU...N WIND 40 KT. SEAS 13 FT.
.THU NIGHT...N WIND 35 KT. SEAS 11 FT.
.FRI...NW WIND 30 KT. SEAS 9 FT.
.SAT...NW WIND 20 KT. SEAS 6 FT.
.SUN...VARIABLE WIND 10 KT. SEAS 6 FT.

$$

PKZ136-151130-
CHINIAK BAY-
300 PM AKDT TUE MAR 14 2017

...GALE WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW WIND 35 KT. SEAS 6 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.WED...NW WIND 40 KT. SEAS 6 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.WED NIGHT...NW WIND 40 KT. SEAS 6 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.THU...NW WIND 35 KT. SEAS 6 FT.
.THU NIGHT...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 4 FT.
.FRI...NW WIND 20 KT. SEAS 3 FT.
.SAT...NW WIND 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT.
.SUN...N WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT.

$$

PKZ137-151130-
MARMOT BAY-
300 PM AKDT TUE MAR 14 2017

...GALE WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW WIND 35 KT. SEAS 6 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.WED AND WED NIGHT...NW WIND 40 KT. SEAS 7 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.THU...NW WIND 30 KT. SEAS 5 FT.
.THU NIGHT...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 4 FT.
.FRI...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 3 FT.
.SAT...NW WIND 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT.
.SUN...N WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT.

$$

PKZ138-151130-
SHELIKOF STRAIT-
300 PM AKDT TUE MAR 14 2017

...GALE WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT...
...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW WIND 35 KT. GUSTS TO 50 KT OUT OF BAYS AND PASSES.  
SEAS 8 FT. HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY.
.WED...NW WIND 40 KT. GUSTS TO 55 KT OUT OF BAYS AND PASSES. SEAS 9 
FT. HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY.
.WED NIGHT...NW WIND 40 KT. GUSTS TO 50 KT OUT OF BAYS AND PASSES.  
SEAS 10 FT. HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY.
.THU...NW WIND 35 KT. SEAS 8 FT.
.THU NIGHT...NW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 5 FT.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...NW WIND 20 KT. SEAS 5 FT.
.SUN...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 3 FT.

$$

PKZ139-151130-
COOK INLET KALGIN ISLAND TO POINT BEDE-
300 PM AKDT TUE MAR 14 2017

...GALE WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT...
...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N WIND 40 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 11 FT. HEAVY 
FREEZING SPRAY.
.WED AND WED NIGHT...N WIND 35 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 10 FT. 
HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY.
.THU...NE WIND 30 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 8 FT.
.THU NIGHT...N WIND 25 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 6 FT.
.FRI...N WIND 20 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 5 FT.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS IN ICE FREE WATERS 4 FT.

$$

PKZ140-151130-
COOK INLET NORTH OF KALGIN ISLAND-
300 PM AKDT TUE MAR 14 2017

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N WIND 35 KT.
.WED AND WED NIGHT...N WIND 30 KT.
.THU...N WIND 25 KT.
.THU NIGHT...NE WIND 15 KT.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...N WIND 10 KT.

$$

PKZ141-151130-
KACHEMAK BAY-
300 PM AKDT TUE MAR 14 2017

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

.TONIGHT...N WIND 30 KT. GUSTS TO 40 KT. SEAS 4 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.WED...N WIND 30 KT. SEAS 4 FT. FREEZING SPRAY.
.WED NIGHT...N WIND 30 KT. SEAS 4 FT. HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY.
.THU...NE WIND 25 KT. SEAS 4 FT.
.THU NIGHT...N WIND 20 KT. SEAS 3 FT.
.FRI...N WIND 20 KT. SEAS 3 FT.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...N WIND 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT.

$$

NWS Anchorage, AK wrote its last area forecast discussion before this gale warning went out at Mar 14, 4:45 AM AKDT, 10 hours 15 minutes earlier.

Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
445 AM AKDT Tue Mar 14 2017

.ANALYSIS AND UPPER LEVELS...
The longwave trough is continuing to deepen over the mainland and
Gulf of Alaska this morning as it is reinforced by a trio of
shortwaves dropping southward from the arctic, the first of which
is now exiting the area south of Kodiak Island. In terms of
sensible weather the story remains very much the same as in
recent days with dry offshore flow promoting clear and cold
conditions across the bulk of the southern mainland. A tight
pressure gradient and cold air flowing out of the interior
continues to support gusty north winds across Southcentral AK,
especially through favored areas such as Valdez/Thompson Pass and
the Matanuska Valley. These winds are periodically being enhanced
by the numerous upper level waves transiting the region. A broad
surface low is spinning in place over the central gulf, bringing a
few showers to the coastal waters but keeping locations along the
north gulf coast limited to increasing mid level cloudiness as
the dry offshore flow has thus far prevented any precipitation
from reaching the ground. Out west, strong high pressure anchored
over the western Bering continues to yield benign conditions
across the region.

&&

.MODEL DISCUSSION...
Continued to utilize Hi-Res NAM guidance for the morning package
as outflow winds remain the primary short term forecast
challenge. Models remain in good synoptic agreement through the
latter half of the week as the mainland trough continues to deepen
and the Bering ridge weakens slightly but remains in control.

&&

.AVIATION...
PANC...VFR conditions and northerly winds will persist through
Wednesday morning. Increased gustiness is expected by early
afternoon as another disturbance drops southward across the Cook
Inlet region.

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA (Days 1 and 2)...
Colder air will continue to pour southward as a series of short-
waves drop south across the state through Wednesday. This will
lead to tightening pressure and thermal gradients which in turn
will lead to strengthening winds, especially through coastal gaps.
Expect widespread gusty winds, especially during the daytime
hours. Temperatures will show an overall downward trend, though
there will still be large swings between night-time and day-time
temperatures thanks to the long hours of sunshine.

A low complex will persist over the Gulf, with surface lows and
upper level short-waves rotating around a fairly stationary
center. Some waves will try to push onshore along the north Gulf
coast and Prince William Sound, though the strong offshore flow
and very dry low level air will limit precip chances. If any snow
does reach the ground it will be very light.

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHWEST ALASKA (Days 1 and 2)...
The forecast seems to be stuck on repeat. Stuck between a trough
in the Gulf and a ridge in the Bering, the mainland will continue
to see arctic air advected southward by these two systems. The
large scale pattern holds through for the next two days, producing
continued cold, clear, and windy conditions for most of the
mainland. The strongest winds will reside at higher elevations,
and around the Greater Bristol Bay region. Temperatures will
continue to creep lower, but March sun and strong northerly wind
will keep them elevated from what could be realized with current
850 mb temperatures.

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS (Days 1 and 2)...
High pressure remains in control of the Bering Sea. A weak
boundary on the north/east side of the high will keep chances for
snow across the central Bering. Otherwise, the main story is gusty
winds through the Alaska Peninsula, where storm-force gusts
through bays and passes can be expected for the next couple days.

&&

.LONG TERM FORECAST (Days 3 through 7)...

High pressure will persist over the eastern Bering and mainland AK
on Thu. Cold air over the interior will intensify the pressure
gradient along the Gulf coast with occasional gusty outflow
conditions through channeled terrain. Impulses moving around the
Gulf low will provide coastal sections with a chance of light
snow. In the west, gusty channeled flow will persist through the
AKpen, while a small craft to gale force front with rain and snow
moves over the western and central Aleutians.

For days 4 through 7...High pressure will persist over the
northern Bering and mainland AK through the weekend. With
persistent cold air over the mainland and low pressure oscillating
around the Gulf, periods of gusty outflow winds can also be
expected. Some snow is also possible along the Gulf coast. In the
west, the front will stall over the western and central Aleutians
during the weekend, with rain and snow and some gale force winds.
The rest of the Aleutians as well as southwest AK will remain dry
through the weekend.

&&

.AFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PUBLIC...None
MARINE...Gale Warning 119 120 121 127 128 130 131 132 136 137 138
					  139 150
		 Heavy Freezing Spray Warning 121 127 138 139 141

&&

SYNOPSIS AND MODEL DISCUSSION...CB
AVIATION...CB
SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA...SEB
SOUTHWEST ALASKA/BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS...MTL
LONG TERM...DS

Gale Warnings in Alaska, 2017Every gale warning in 2017

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