Alert archive / Alaska / Gale Warnings in 2018

Gale Warning 398, NWS Anchorage, AK

June 16, 2018

NWS Anchorage, AK issued this gale warning at Jun 16, 2018, 3:36 PM AKDT. It was in force for 48 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
Jun 16, 2018, 3:36 PM AKDT (23:36 UTC)
Expired
Jun 18, 2018, 3:43 PM AKDT
In force
48 hr
Issued by
NWS Anchorage, AK

The text

As transmitted.

295 
FZAK61 PAFC 162336
OFFAER

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
336 PM AKDT Sat Jun 16 2018

Offshore waters forecast for the Gulf of Alaska West of 144W

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.

PKZ399-171345-
336 PM AKDT Sat Jun 16 2018
.SYNOPSIS FOR THE WESTERN GULF OF ALASKA...

A 986 mb low at 54N 165W weakens into a broad trough centered
along 56N 165W Sun afternoon. The next front enters the southern 
Gulf ahead of a 988 mb North Pacific low Sun morning. The low 
moves quickly to 59N 159W at 991 mb by Mon afternoon.

$$

PKZ351-171345-
Gulf of Alaska Offshore North of 57N and West of 144W-
336 PM AKDT Sat Jun 16 2018

.TONIGHT...S wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 13 ft. Patchy fog.
.SUN...SE wind 20 kt. Seas 11 ft. Rain.
.SUN NIGHT...SE wind 15 to 25 kt increasing to 30 kt after
midnight. Seas 11 ft. Rain.
.MON...S wind 30 kt. Seas 11 to 18 ft.
.MON NIGHT...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 12 to 17 ft.
.TUE...SE wind 15 kt. Seas 8 to 12 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...SW wind 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.

$$

PKZ352-171345-
Gulf of Alaska Offshore South of 57N North of 55N and West of
144W-
336 PM AKDT Sat Jun 16 2018

...GALE WARNING SUNDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...S wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 13 ft. Patchy fog. Rain.
.SUN...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 11 ft. Rain.
.SUN NIGHT...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 16 ft. Rain.
.MON...S wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 13 to 19 ft.
.MON NIGHT...S wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 11 to 16 ft.
.TUE THROUGH THU...SW wind 15 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.

$$
4 follow-up statements
274 
FZAK61 PAFC 171145
OFFAER

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
345 AM AKDT Sun Jun 17 2018

Offshore waters forecast for the Gulf of Alaska West of 144W

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.

PKZ399-180230-
345 AM AKDT Sun Jun 17 2018
.SYNOPSIS FOR THE WESTERN GULF OF ALASKA...

A front in the central Gulf remains nearly stationary as a North 
Pacific low moves to 49N 153W at 995 mb this afternoon. The low 
then moves to 56N 154W at 993 mb tonight. The associated front
remains in the central Gulf through Mon night.

$$

PKZ351-180230-
Gulf of Alaska Offshore North of 57N and West of 144W-
345 AM AKDT Sun Jun 17 2018

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT AND MONDAY...

.TODAY...SE wind 20 kt. Seas 11 ft. Rain.
.TONIGHT...SE wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 13 ft. Rain.
.MON...S wind 35 kt. Seas 12 to 17 ft. Rain.
.MON NIGHT...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 11 to 17 ft.
.TUE THROUGH THU...SW wind 15 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.

$$

PKZ352-180230-
Gulf of Alaska Offshore South of 57N North of 55N and West of
144W-
345 AM AKDT Sun Jun 17 2018

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT AND MONDAY...

.TODAY...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 11 ft. Rain.
.TONIGHT...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 17 ft. Rain.
.MON...S wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 14 to 20 ft.
.MON NIGHT...S wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 10 to 16 ft.
.TUE...S wind 15 kt. Seas 7 to 11 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...SW wind 15 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft.

$$
042 
FZAK61 PAFC 172356
OFFAER

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
356 PM AKDT Sun Jun 17 2018

Offshore waters forecast for the Gulf of Alaska West of 144W

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.

PKZ399-181430-
356 PM AKDT Sun Jun 17 2018
.SYNOPSIS FOR THE WESTERN GULF OF ALASKA...

A 992 mb low at 50N 154W hooks over to 58N 166W at 1001 mb for Tue
afternoon. Its front spreads from Southwest Alaska across the 
North Gulf Coast to Southeast Alaska with its trailing front over 
the North Pacific by Tue afternoon.

$$

PKZ351-181430-
Gulf of Alaska Offshore North of 57N and West of 144W-
356 PM AKDT Sun Jun 17 2018

...GALE WARNING THROUGH MONDAY...

.TONIGHT...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 14 ft. Patchy fog.
Rain.
.MON...SE wind 35 kt becoming S 20 to 30 kt in the afternoon. Seas 13 to
17 ft. Patchy fog. Rain.
.MON NIGHT...S wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 12 to 15 ft.
.TUE...SE wind up to 15 kt. Seas 8 to 11 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...SE wind up to 15 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.WED THROUGH FRI...S wind up to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 6 ft.

$$

PKZ352-181430-
Gulf of Alaska Offshore South of 57N North of 55N and West of
144W-
356 PM AKDT Sun Jun 17 2018

...GALE WARNING THROUGH MONDAY...

.TONIGHT...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 17 ft. Patchy fog.
Rain.
.MON...S wind 20 to 35 kt diminishing to 15 to 25 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 15 to 19 ft. Patchy fog.
.MON NIGHT...S wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 11 to 15 ft.
.TUE...SE wind 15 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...S wind up to 15 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.WED THROUGH FRI...SE wind up to 15 kt. Seas 5 ft.

$$
807 
FZAK61 PAFC 181152
OFFAER

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
352 AM AKDT Mon Jun 18 2018

Offshore waters forecast for the Gulf of Alaska West of 144W

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.

PKZ399-190215-
352 AM AKDT Mon Jun 18 2018
.SYNOPSIS FOR THE WESTERN GULF OF ALASKA...

An elongated trough in the central Gulf remains nearly stationary
through Wed night. A 1011 mb low forms near 54N 141W Wed night.

$$

PKZ351-190215-
Gulf of Alaska Offshore North of 57N and West of 144W-
352 AM AKDT Mon Jun 18 2018

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...SE wind 35 kt becoming S 20 to 30 kt in the afternoon.
Seas 13 to 19 ft. Patchy fog. Rain.
.TONIGHT...S wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 10 to 14 ft.
.TUE...SE wind 10 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...SE wind up to 15 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...SW wind up to 15 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.FRI...S wind 10 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

PKZ352-190215-
Gulf of Alaska Offshore South of 57N North of 55N and West of
144W-
352 AM AKDT Mon Jun 18 2018

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...S wind 25 to 35 kt diminishing to 15 to 25 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 14 to 20 ft. Patchy fog.
.TONIGHT...S wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.TUE...S wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...S wind up to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...SW wind up to 15 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.FRI...SE wind 10 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$
084 
FZAK61 PAFC 182343
OFFAER

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
343 PM AKDT Mon Jun 18 2018

Offshore waters forecast for the Gulf of Alaska West of 144W

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.

PKZ399-191400-
343 PM AKDT Mon Jun 18 2018
.SYNOPSIS FOR THE WESTERN GULF OF ALASKA...

A front bisects the Central Gulf through Wed afternoon. A 1015 mb
North Pacific low tracks along the front to 54N 143W at 1012 mb 
for Wed afternoon. Weak high pressure stretches over the Eastern 
Gulf through Wed afternoon.

$$

PKZ351-191400-
Gulf of Alaska Offshore North of 57N and West of 144W-
343 PM AKDT Mon Jun 18 2018

.TONIGHT...S wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 13 ft. Patchy fog.
.TUE...S wind 10 kt. Seas 10 ft. Patchy fog.
.TUE NIGHT...SE wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.WED...S wind 10 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.WED NIGHT...SW wind up to 10 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.THU THROUGH SAT...NE wind up to 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

PKZ352-191400-
Gulf of Alaska Offshore South of 57N North of 55N and West of
144W-
343 PM AKDT Mon Jun 18 2018

.TONIGHT...S wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 11 to 15 ft. Patchy fog.
.TUE...S wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 9 ft. Patchy fog.
.TUE NIGHT...S wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.WED...S wind 10 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.WED NIGHT...W wind 10 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.THU THROUGH SAT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 to 6 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 Jun 16, 5:46 AM AKDT, 9 hours 50 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 16, 5:46 AM AKDT, 9 hours 50 minutes before
Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
546 AM AKDT Sat Jun 16 2018

.ANALYSIS AND UPPER LEVELS...

The well-advertised low moving north out of the Pacific has
reached southern Alaska this morning. The center of the sprawling
low remains just south of Dutch Harbor. However, nearly
unidirectional southwest flow throughout the atmosphere along with
a favorable upper level patten lead to widespread precipitation
over nearly all of southern Alaska into the evening. Currently
most of the heaviest precipitation is shifting eastward along the
north Gulf Coast and Prince William Sound. However, widespread
light rainfall continues over much of southwest Alaska ahead of
both the primary low near Dutch Harbor and a weakening trough over
northwest Alaska as part of a deformation zone.

Rainfall totals across Southcentral varied from a quarter inch in
the Anchorage Bowl, a half to three quarters inch in the Mat-Su,
three quarters to one and a half inches along the Kenai, and up to
two inches along Prince William Sound.

Winds were also a significant factor with this low. Gusts
generally were in the 30-40 mph range for most of Anchorage and
the Matanuska Valley. Palmer had a few gusts approach 50 mph. The
usual windy spots along the Anchorage Hillside had gusts of 60-70
mph, and the highest wind gust reported was a station on the
Hillside which reached 77 mph. A report of a number of downed
trees was received from Upper DeArmoun Road from the heavy winds
last evening.

&&

.MODEL DISCUSSION...

The models are in excellent agreement with the track of the
sprawling low over the Aleutians and eastern Bering as it spins
and weakens over the weekend. Disagreement between the models is
primarily focused on the next significant low to move out of the
Pacific into southern Alaska. The timing of the low is Sunday
evening through into Monday morning. The GFS is the outlier from
the other deterministic models, showing a much slower solution,
resulting in a later timing of the return of steady precipitation
to Southcentral. With the NAM/EC/GEM all in much closer agreement
and were chosen for this morning's forecast package. The high
resolution NAM was the preferred of the remaining models.

&&

.AVIATION...
PANC...SE winds associated with the Turnagain Arm Jet will
continue across Chickaloon Bay and Fire Island through the
morning. This will continue to cause LLWS to the south and west of
the airport. The Turnagain Arm wind will move back into south and
west Anchorage for the afternoon, causing gusty SE winds, which
will persist through the overnight and gradually weaken into
Sunday morning.

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA (Days 1 and 2)...
Moist southerly flow aloft will continue through Sunday night with
the main upper low remain over the eastern Bering and eastern
Aleutians. Showery and fairly cloudy conditions are expected,
periodically enhanced by passing upper level short-wave troughs.
The first of these will reach the Southcentral mainland later this
morning, with another (weaker) one tonight. Fairly strong surface
pressure gradients will continue, with gusty winds through
Turnagain Arm and the Copper River valley. A more substantial
system with an associated surface low will spin up south of the
Gulf early Sunday, then race northward during the day.
Precipitation from the leading front will reach the Gulf coast
late Sunday afternoon and spread inland Sunday night.

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHWEST ALASKA (Days 1 through 3)...

Widespread rain is falling over much southwest Alaska as the
occluded front pushes inland from Bristol Bay. This system will
slowly drift north. Expect the surface low to weaken and the front
will undergo the process of frontolysis.  The low that anchored
the occluded front will stall over the Eastern Bering and decay.
The models have that low through midweek resulting in a cooling
trend.

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS (Days 1 through 3)...

The North Pacific low continues its trek towards the Aleutians.
Widespread precipitation expected today for the central and
Eastern Aleutians. The surface low will cross the chain near
Unalaska today. Expect cyclonic flow over much of the Bering this
weekend. Anticipate cloudy skies and stratiform precipitation
over most of the region through the weekend. Winds and waves
reaching small craft advisory criteria will begin to subside
Saturday evening as the low dissipates.

&&

.LONG TERM FORECAST (Days 3 through 7)...
Beginning the extended period forecast Monday night, there will be
a very broad and impressive longwave trough stretching from the
Beaufort Sea to the eastern Bering and into the North Pacific.
Wet and cloudy weather will continue to rule the Great Land as the
blocky Eastern Pacific ridge keeps the overall synoptic pattern
blocked. By mid to late week the trough will remain in place but
will begin to weaken, resulting in stratiform rain turning more to
showers heading into Thursday and Friday. By the weekend there is
large overall model discrepancy with the ECMWF much more bullish
in moving the trough east and weak ridging building in from the
west. For now a blended ensemble approach was favored which
favors a climatological normal pattern...a trough over the
eastern Bering and weak inland ridging. Either way it does seem
that it will slowly dry out by the weekend with at least some
warming.

&&

.AFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PUBLIC...None.
MARINE...None.

&&

SYNOPSIS AND MODEL DISCUSSION...JW
SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA...BL
SOUTHWEST ALASKA/BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS...PJS
LONG TERM...JA

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 16, 3:47 AM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC24 hr
Jun 16, 3:40 PM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC48 hr

Nearby

Gale Warnings in Alaska, 2018Every gale warning in 2018

Sources

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