Alert archive / Alaska / Gale Warnings in 2017

Gale Warning 676, NWS Anchorage, AK

December 9, 2017

NWS Anchorage, AK issued this gale warning at Dec 9, 2017, 3:10 PM AKST. It was in force for 61 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
Dec 9, 2017, 3:10 PM AKST (00:10 UTC)
Expired
Dec 12, 2017, 3:46 AM AKST
In force
61 hr
Issued by
NWS Anchorage, AK

The text

As transmitted.

392 
FZAK62 PAFC 100010
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
310 PM AKST Sat Dec 9 2017

Offshore Waters Forecast for the Bering Sea

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.

PKZ499-101500-
310 PM AKST Sat Dec 9 2017
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...
A front associated with a Kamchatka low over the western Aleutians
will dissipate Sun evening. A 959 mb low in the western Gulf will 
move to 59N 157W at 965 mb Mon morning then weaken and move inland 
Mon evening.

$$

PKZ411-101500-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
310 PM AKST Sat Dec 9 2017

...GALE WARNING THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...E wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft. Rain.
.SUN...NE wind 30 to 40 kt. Seas 15 to 23 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 18 to 23 ft.
.MON...N wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 16 to 20 ft.
.MON NIGHT...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 12 to 18 ft.
.TUE...NE wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.

$$

PKZ412-101500-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
310 PM AKST Sat Dec 9 2017

...GALE WARNING SUNDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.SUN...NE wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 11 to 16 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...N wind 30 to 40 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft. Snow showers.
.MON...N wind 30 to 40 kt. Seas 19 to 22 ft.
.MON NIGHT...N wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 15 to 20 ft.
.TUE...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 16 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...SE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.

$$

PKZ413-101500-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
310 PM AKST Sat Dec 9 2017

.TONIGHT...NE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 12 ft.
.SUN...NE wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 16 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft.
.MON...N wind 35 kt. Seas 17 to 21 ft.
.MON NIGHT...N wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 16 to 20 ft.
.TUE...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 17 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.

$$

PKZ414-101500-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
310 PM AKST Sat Dec 9 2017

...GALE WARNING SUNDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.SUN...NE wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...N wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.MON...N wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft.
.MON NIGHT...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.
.TUE...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.WED...NE wind up to 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.THU...SE wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 7 ft.

$$
5 follow-up statements
623 
FZAK62 PAFC 101239
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
339 AM AKST Sun Dec 10 2017

Offshore Waters Forecast for the Bering Sea

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.

PKZ499-110215-
339 AM AKST Sun Dec 10 2017
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A front over the western Aleutians moves south and dissipates 
tonight. A 964 mb low in the western Gulf moves to 58N 161W Mon 
morning at 976 mb then dissipates Mon afternoon. Another front 
remains nearly stationary in the central Bering this afternoon 
through Mon night.

$$

PKZ411-110215-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
339 AM AKST Sun Dec 10 2017

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...NE wind 40 kt. Seas 16 to 23 ft.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 18 to 23 ft.
.MON...N wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 15 to 18 ft.
.MON NIGHT...N wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 12 to 17 ft.
.TUE THROUGH WED...E wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.THU...NE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 15 ft.

$$

PKZ412-110215-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
339 AM AKST Sun Dec 10 2017

...GALE WARNING THROUGH MONDAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 11 to 16 ft.
.TONIGHT...N wind 30 to 40 kt. Seas 13 to 20 ft. Snow.
.MON...N wind 40 kt. Seas 20 ft. Snow.
.MON NIGHT...N wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 14 to 19 ft.
.TUE...NW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...E wind up to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.

$$

PKZ413-110215-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
339 AM AKST Sun Dec 10 2017

...GALE WARNING MONDAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 10 to 17 ft. Rain showers.
.TONIGHT...N wind 30 kt. Seas 12 to 19 ft.
.MON...N wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 17 to 20 ft. Snow showers.
.MON NIGHT...N wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 15 to 20 ft.
.TUE...N wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...E wind up to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.

$$

PKZ414-110215-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
339 AM AKST Sun Dec 10 2017

...GALE WARNING MONDAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Snow showers.
.TONIGHT...N wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.MON...N wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft. Snow.
.MON NIGHT...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.
.TUE THROUGH WED...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.THU...E wind up to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 6 ft.

$$
532 
FZAK62 PAFC 110011
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
311 PM AKST Sun Dec 10 2017

Offshore Waters Forecast for the Bering Sea

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.

PKZ499-111400-
311 PM AKST Sun Dec 10 2017
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 964 mb low in the western Gulf will move to 58N 155W at 967 mb by 
Mon morning then it will move inland over the Bristol Bay and 
dissipate through Mon. A 976 mb North Pacific low will move to 54N
156W by Tue morning then it will move to 57N 160W at 984 mb by 
Tue afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-111400-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
311 PM AKST Sun Dec 10 2017

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 18 to 23 ft.
.MON...N wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 15 to 19 ft.
.MON NIGHT...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 18 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE...NE wind up to 20 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.WED...SE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.THU...NE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 15 ft.
.FRI...NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.

$$

PKZ412-111400-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
311 PM AKST Sun Dec 10 2017

...GALE WARNING THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 30 to 40 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft. Freezing spray.
Snow showers.
.MON...N wind 40 kt. Seas 21 ft. Freezing spray. Snow showers.
.MON NIGHT...N wind 35 kt. Seas 14 to 20 ft. Freezing spray. Snow
showers.
.TUE...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 16 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind up to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...E wind up to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.FRI...N wind 15 kt. Seas 7 to 11 ft.

$$

PKZ413-111400-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
311 PM AKST Sun Dec 10 2017

...GALE WARNING MONDAY AND MONDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 30 kt. Seas 12 to 19 ft.
.MON...N wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 17 to 21 ft. Snow showers.
.MON NIGHT...N wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 16 to 20 ft.
.TUE...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 17 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...NE wind up to 20 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...E wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.FRI...N wind up to 20 kt. Seas 8 to 12 ft.

$$

PKZ414-111400-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
311 PM AKST Sun Dec 10 2017

...GALE WARNING MONDAY...

.TONIGHT...N wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft. Snow showers.
.MON...N wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft. Snow showers.
.MON NIGHT...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Snow showers.
.TUE...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.WED...NW wind up to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.
.THU...E wind up to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 6 ft.
.FRI...N wind up to 15 kt. Seas 6 to 10 ft.

$$
517 
FZAK62 PAFC 111244
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
344 AM AKST Mon Dec 11 2017

Offshore Waters Forecast for the Bering Sea

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.

PKZ499-120215-
344 AM AKST Mon Dec 11 2017
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 964 mb low in the western Gulf will move to 55N 157W at 977 mb 
by Tue morning then moves inland over the Bristol Bay by Tue 
night. A 992 mb low Tue night at 51N 151W will move to 55N 152W by
Wed morning at 988 mb. A front approaches the western Aleutians
Tue afternoon, then moves into the western Bering by Wed morning.

$$

PKZ411-120215-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
344 AM AKST Mon Dec 11 2017

.TODAY...N wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 15 to 20 ft.
.TONIGHT...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 18 ft.
.TUE...NE wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 9 to 13 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...E wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.WED...SE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.THU...NE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.FRI...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.

$$

PKZ412-120215-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
344 AM AKST Mon Dec 11 2017

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...N wind 30 to 40 kt. Seas 14 to 20 ft. Snow showers.
.TONIGHT...N wind 35 kt. Seas 12 to 18 ft. Snow showers.
.TUE...N wind 20 to 30 kt becoming NW 10 to 25 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 8 to 14 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind up to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.WED...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.THU...E wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.FRI...N wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.

$$

PKZ413-120215-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
344 AM AKST Mon Dec 11 2017

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...N wind 35 kt. Seas 14 to 20 ft. Snow showers.
.TONIGHT...N wind 35 kt diminishing to 20 to 30 kt after midnight.
Seas 12 to 18 ft.
.TUE...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 16 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...NE wind up to 20 kt. Seas 8 to 12 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.FRI...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.

$$

PKZ414-120215-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
344 AM AKST Mon Dec 11 2017

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...N wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Snow showers.
.TONIGHT...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Snow showers.
.TUE...N wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.WED...NW wind up to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.
.THU...SE wind up to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.FRI...NE wind up to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 9 ft.

$$
180 
FZAK62 PAFC 120008
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
308 PM AKST Mon Dec 11 2017

Offshore Waters Forecast for the Bering Sea

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.

PKZ499-121415-
308 PM AKST Mon Dec 11 2017
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 969 mb low at 50N 157W will move to 55N 159W at 980 mb Tue morning
then dissipate as it moves inland over Bristol Bay Tue night. A 985 
mb North Pacific low will move near 55N 153W Wed morning then move 
inland over Bristol Bay at 982 mb Wed evening. A front will move 
over the western Bering Tue night then move into the central Bering 
Wed night.

$$

PKZ411-121415-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
308 PM AKST Mon Dec 11 2017

.TONIGHT...N wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 11 to 18 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE...NE wind 15 kt becoming up to 20 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas 9 to 13 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 10 ft. Freezing spray.
Snow showers.
.WED...E wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.WED NIGHT...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft.
.THU...NE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...W wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.

$$

PKZ412-121415-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
308 PM AKST Mon Dec 11 2017

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 14 to 20 ft. Freezing spray.
Snow showers.
.TUE...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 15 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE NIGHT...N wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Freezing spray.
.WED...E wind up to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 7 ft.
.WED NIGHT...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.THU...E wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.FRI...N wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.SAT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 8 ft.

$$

PKZ413-121415-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
308 PM AKST Mon Dec 11 2017

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 35 kt diminishing to 20 to 30 kt after midnight.
Seas 16 to 20 ft.
.TUE...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 17 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...NE wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 8 to 12 ft.
.WED...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.WED NIGHT...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.THU...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.

$$

PKZ414-121415-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
308 PM AKST Mon Dec 11 2017

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Snow showers.
.TUE...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 30 kt diminishing to 10 to 25 kt after
midnight. Seas 9 to 14 ft. Freezing spray.
.WED...N wind up to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 9 ft.
.WED NIGHT...SE wind up to 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.THU...SE wind up to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.FRI...NE wind up to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 9 ft.
.SAT...NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.

$$
093 
FZAK62 PAFC 121246
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
346 AM AKST Tue Dec 12 2017

Offshore Waters Forecast for the Bering Sea

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.

PKZ499-130245-
346 AM AKST Tue Dec 12 2017
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 978 mb low at 55N 157W will move inland over Bristol Bay and 
dissipate by Tue night. A 988 mb North Pacific low will move near 57N
158W at 989 mb by Wed morning then will move inland and dissipate by
Wed evening. A front in the western Bering will move into the 
central Bering by Thu morning.

$$

PKZ411-130245-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
346 AM AKST Tue Dec 12 2017

.TODAY...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.TONIGHT...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 10 ft.
.WED...E wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.WED NIGHT...E wind up to 20 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.THU...N wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.
.FRI...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.SAT...W wind 20 kt. Seas 9 ft.

$$

PKZ412-130245-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
346 AM AKST Tue Dec 12 2017

.TODAY...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 16 ft.
.TONIGHT...N wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.WED...E wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.WED NIGHT...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft.
.THU...E wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.FRI...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.SAT...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 8 to 11 ft.

$$

PKZ413-130245-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
346 AM AKST Tue Dec 12 2017

.TODAY...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 18 ft.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 9 to 12 ft.
.WED...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.WED NIGHT...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft.
.THU...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 10 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...NW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.

$$

PKZ414-130245-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
346 AM AKST Tue Dec 12 2017

.TODAY...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.
.TONIGHT...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.WED...N wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 to 10 ft.
.WED NIGHT...NE wind up to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 7 ft.
.THU...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.SAT...NW wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 16 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 Dec 9, 4:48 AM AKST, 10 hours 22 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 9, 4:48 AM AKST, 10 hours 22 minutes before
Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
448 AM AKST Sat Dec 9 2017

.ANALYSIS AND UPPER LEVELS...
There has been little overall change in the large scale synoptic
pattern in the last 24 hours as much of the state remains under
the influence of a large blocking ridge over the west coast of
the lower 48 and a broad trough over the Bering/North Pacific. A
shortwave ridge has stretched along the western side of the
blocking ridge into the South Mainland, which has allowed for the
development of patchy dense fog/low stratus in many areas of the
South mainland including Cook Inlet after clear skies and stable
conditions developed behind widespread rains on Friday. As as
often been the case in this very active pattern, yet another
system is quickly moving northward into the Gulf, helping to erode
away the ridge and bring yet another round of gale force winds
and rain to the Gulf for Sunday. This system is part of a complex
low which is also bringing rain/snow as well as gusty
northwesterly winds from the Eastern Aleutians into the AKpen this
morning, which will continue slowly rotating westward today
before diving south back into the North Pacific this evening. Over
Western Aleutians a storm force front is beginning to move into
the area, bringing rain back to that area. This front will however
struggle to reach much further east today as it runs into high
pressure over the Central Bering, forcing it generally south of
the Aleutian chain.

&&

.MODEL DISCUSSION...
Model agreement remains very good with both the incoming gale
force low into the Gulf this evening, as well as the storm
force Western Aleutian front. Ahead of the gulf low, one of the
primary forecast challenges has been determining where the
widespread fog/stratus over Southcentral will develop, which none
of the models are handling very well, causing forecast confidence
in its longevity and intensity to be low. Starting Sunday, model
agreement has improved somewhat the next deeper Gulf low, that is
then expected to move through the Southwest Mainland on Monday.
While there is still some uncertainty in the exact track of this
low, agreement overnight was enough to significantly increase
winds over the North Gulf as well as gap winds from Turnagain
Arm eastward into the Copper River. The winds currently in the
forecast are conservative in most areas due to continued
placement issues, so they may still need to be fine tuned, but
there is good confidence in the overall trend of this system into
Monday.

&&

.AVIATION...
PANC...The main challenge today will come from determining how
long the LIFR fog/stratus will continue as stable conditions
remain with little in the way of forcing to scour it away until
this afternoon. Conditions are beginning to improve early this
morning, however it is likely that the fog (which could still be
dense at times) will fade in-and-out until late morning. Starting
this afternoon much of the fog should dissipate, however IFR
stratus decks will likely remain around Cook Inlet into this
evening. Ceilings should them improve to around 5000 ft early
Sunday as gusty SE winds begin to develop along with some light
rain showers.

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA (Days 1 and 2)...
The active pattern will continue with a series of lows and
frontal systems moving rapidly northwest across the Gulf. The
general storm track will carry the lows northwest across Kodiak
Island while their associated frontal systems sweep north across
the Gulf and Southcentral. With this pattern the brunt of the
precipitation will remain along the coasts and upslope areas of
the Alaska/Aleutian ranges boarding Cook Inlet and the Susitna
Valley. Downslope drying west of the Kenai/Chugach should mitigate
precipitation inland, though some light precipitation will
accompany the front in these areas. Rain will be the predominate
precipitation type along the coasts. Precipitation types inland
will be somewhat more challenging this weekend with areas seeing a
mix with a heavy lean toward rain across the Anchorage Bowl and
Matanuska Valley. These systems will also bring fairly strong
winds. The first low will bring gales to the northern/western Gulf
and locally strong gap flows today and tonight. The next low hot
on its heals will move to near Kodiak Sunday evening and will
bring storm force winds to the Gulf waters and even stronger gap
flows.

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHWEST ALASKA (Days 1 and 2: Saturday and
Sunday)...
Today will be a relatively quiet weather day across Southwest
Alaska. Portions of the area are starting out the day in some fog,
while much of the rest are just dealing with cool northerly winds,
which should help keep most locations away from the immediate
coast of Bristol Bay below freezing today.

Two different low pressure systems will be impacting Southwest
Alaska over the next couple days. Both systems will be moving into
the area from the southeast after crossing the Aleutian Mountains
from the Gulf. The first will cross the mountains Sunday morning,
and will be the weaker of the two. While it will transport in
slightly cooler air aloft, because of its track, much of Southwest
Alaska will be under the influence of downslope southeasterly
winds. These winds will help warm temperatures Sunday afternoon,
particularly west of the Alaska Range, turning any precipitation
that doesn't evaporate out into rain. Meanwhile east facing slopes
of the Kuskokwim Mountains will see upslope enhancement of the
remaining moisture, though snow totals in populated areas are not
expected to amount to much due to a reduction of moisture having
been wrung out by the Aleutian Mountains first, and temperatures
that will be at or above freezing on Sunday.

The next stronger system will follow a similar track Sunday night
into Monday. Somewhat more moisture available will increase snow
totals compared to Sunday morning's system, especially along the
Kuskokwim Mountains. However, even warmer air and downsloping
associated with the low will again see communities closer to the
Alaska Range getting little in the way of precipitation and seeing
the warmest temperatures, while those further west pick up a few
inches of wet snow with temps near freezing.

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS (Days 1 and 2: Saturday
and Sunday)...
A low and associated front over the eastern Aleutians and Bering
this morning will shift southward through the day, resulting in a
diminishing of the precipitation throughout the area by this
afternoon. Meanwhile across the western Aleutians, a storm force
warm front associated with a rapidly deepening low centered well
west of the Aleutians will move into the area today. The front
will cause sustained winds of 50-60 mph with gusts potentially
nearing hurricane force, especially from Attu westward. The front
will quickly fall apart Saturday night into Sunday as the parent
low begins quickly weakening and moving northwest even further
from the Aleutians. Nevertheless a period of heavy precipitation,
likely a mix of rain and snow, is expected through Saturday night
for all of the Aleutians west of Adak. Then as the aforementioned
lows move into Southwest Alaska Sunday and Monday, low pressure
over the mainland and relatively higher pressure over the western
Bering through to Kamchatka will cause a broad area of north to
northeast winds to develop across much of the Bering, causing
widespread small crafts with some gales mixed in, especially in
the northern Bering. The northerly winds will also help to keep
the cool air mass in place, with snow showers common in the
affected areas.

&&

.LONG TERM FORECAST (Days 3 through 7)...
The barrage of low pressure systems will continue for the next
week. This means warm air, multiple rounds of heavy precipitation
along the Gulf Coast, and occasional high wind events will remain
the threat across much of southern Alaska during the extended
forecast period. The good news is that there are increasing signs
that the big ridge over western North America that has created
this persistent weather pattern will be breaking down by next week
at this time (Friday). Thus, while there will be at least 3
significant storms that affect southern Alaska over the next 7
days, the direction of movement of these storms will be slowly
changing.

The first storm, on Monday, will come in from the southeast and
hammer the north Gulf Coast again and also potentially create
strong winds in inland areas like Anchorage. This bears watching
over the next day or two to begin to fine-tune the details. The
second storm comes through around the middle of next week from a
more southern direction (rather than southeast). By Friday, a 3rd
storm moves into the area, but this time it will be from the
southwest (tracking first through the Bering Sea and then
impacting Southwest and Southcentral Alaska with rain and wind).
Although all of these storms will continue to resupply the warm
air in place around the region, they will be slowly but surely
paving the way for a return to cooler weather hopefully by the end
of next weekend.

&&

.AFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PUBLIC...Dense Fog Advisories 101 121.
MARINE...Storm 178
         Gale 119 120 130 131 132 138 139.

&&

SYNOPSIS AND MODEL DISCUSSION...DEK
SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA...RMC
SOUTHWEST ALASKA/BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS...JW
LONG TERM...AMD

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 9, 3:10 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC61 hr
Dec 9, 3:10 PM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC4 days
Dec 9, 3:10 PM AKSTStorm WarningAFC13 hr
Dec 9, 3:56 PM AKSTStorm WarningAFC36 hr
Dec 9, 4:06 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC59 hr
Dec 9, 4:06 PM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC12 hr
Dec 9, 4:06 PM AKSTStorm WarningAFC36 hr
Dec 10, 3:39 AM AKSTGale WarningAFC48 hr
Dec 10, 3:43 AM AKSTGale WarningAFC3 days
Dec 10, 3:43 AM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC3 days
Dec 10, 3:43 AM AKSTHeavy Freezing Spray WarningAFC24 hr
Dec 10, 3:52 AM AKSTHigh Wind WatchAFC12 hr
Dec 10, 4:00 AM AKSTGale WarningAFC35 hr
Dec 10, 4:00 AM AKSTStorm WarningAFC24 hr

Nearby

Gale Warnings in Alaska, 2017Every gale warning in 2017

Sources

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