Alert archive / Alaska / Gale Warnings in 2019

Gale Warning 374, NWS Anchorage, AK

August 9, 2019

NWS Anchorage, AK issued this gale warning at Aug 9, 2019, 2:59 PM AKDT. It was in force for 24 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
Aug 9, 2019, 2:59 PM AKDT (22:59 UTC)
Expired
Aug 10, 2019, 3:18 PM AKDT
In force
24 hr
Issued by
NWS Anchorage, AK

The text

As transmitted.

348 
FZAK62 PAFC 092259
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
259 PM AKDT Fri Aug 9 2019

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.

PKZ499-101330-
259 PM AKDT Fri Aug 9 2019
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...
High pressure in the eastern Bering moves eastward Sat afternoon as 
a frontal boundary associated with a 996 mb Kamchatka low spreads 
from the western Bering into the central Bering then impacts the 
entire Bering through Sun afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-101330-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
259 PM AKDT Fri Aug 9 2019

.TONIGHT...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Rain.
.SAT...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...S wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.SUN...S wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...S wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...S wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.WED...SE wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.

$$

PKZ412-101330-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
259 PM AKDT Fri Aug 9 2019

...GALE WARNING SATURDAY...

.TONIGHT...SE wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.SAT...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 11 ft.
.SUN...S wind up to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...SW wind up to 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...SW wind up to 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.WED...SE wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.

$$

PKZ413-101330-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
259 PM AKDT Fri Aug 9 2019

...GALE WARNING SATURDAY...

.TONIGHT...SE wind 25 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.SAT...S wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Rain.
.SAT NIGHT...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.SUN...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 8 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...SW wind up to 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...SW wind up to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 6 ft.
.WED...SE wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 7 ft.

$$

PKZ414-101330-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
259 PM AKDT Fri Aug 9 2019

.TONIGHT...Variable wind up to 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. Patchy fog.
.SAT...SE wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. Patchy fog.
.SAT NIGHT...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 7 ft. Rain.
.SUN...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 8 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...S wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...SW wind up to 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.WED...S wind up to 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$
2 follow-up statements
978 
FZAK62 PAFC 101107
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
307 AM AKDT Sat Aug 10 2019

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.

PKZ499-110100-
307 AM AKDT Sat Aug 10 2019
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

High pressure remains over the eastern Bering through Sat night. 
A front associated with a 993 mb Kamchatka low in the western and central
Bering moves into the eastern Bering Sun morning before
dissipating by Mon afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-110100-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
307 AM AKDT Sat Aug 10 2019

.TODAY...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.TONIGHT...S wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.SUN...S wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...S wind up to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 9 ft.
.WED...E wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 ft.

$$

PKZ412-110100-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
307 AM AKDT Sat Aug 10 2019

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Rain.
.TONIGHT...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.SUN...S wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...SW wind up to 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.WED...E wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.

$$

PKZ413-110100-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
307 AM AKDT Sat Aug 10 2019

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...S wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Rain.
.TONIGHT...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Rain.
.SUN...SW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 8 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...SW wind up to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 7 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.WED...SE wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.

$$

PKZ414-110100-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
307 AM AKDT Sat Aug 10 2019

.TODAY...SE wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. Patchy fog.
.TONIGHT...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 7 ft. Rain.
.SUN...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 8 ft. Rain.
.SUN NIGHT...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.WED...S wind up to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 7 ft.

$$
025 
FZAK62 PAFC 102318
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
318 PM AKDT Sat Aug 10 2019

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.

PKZ499-111415-
318 PM AKDT Sat Aug 10 2019
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...
A 993 mb low near 58N 169E moves to 55N 173E and weakens to 997 
mb Sun afternoon. This low then moves north and makes landfall 
along the coast of Russia Mon. Associated front in the central 
Bering moves into the eastern Bering Sun morning before 
dissipating by Mon afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-111415-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
318 PM AKDT Sat Aug 10 2019

.TONIGHT...S wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.SUN...S wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.MON...SW wind up to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft.
.MON NIGHT...SW wind up to 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.TUE...S wind up to 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.WED...E wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.THU...SE wind 30 kt. Seas 9 to 13 ft.

$$

PKZ412-111415-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
318 PM AKDT Sat Aug 10 2019

.TONIGHT...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.SUN...S wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...SW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.MON...S wind up to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft.
.MON NIGHT...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.TUE...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...SE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.

$$

PKZ413-111415-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
318 PM AKDT Sat Aug 10 2019

.TONIGHT...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Rain.
.SUN...SW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 8 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...S wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 7 ft.
.MON...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 7 ft.
.MON NIGHT...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.TUE...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...SE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.

$$

PKZ414-111415-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
318 PM AKDT Sat Aug 10 2019

.TONIGHT...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 7 ft. Patchy fog. Rain.
.SUN...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 8 ft. Patchy fog. Rain.
.SUN NIGHT...SW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Rain.
.MON...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 7 ft.
.MON NIGHT...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.TUE...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...S wind up to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 8 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 Aug 9, 6:46 AM AKDT, 8 hours 13 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 9, 6:46 AM AKDT, 8 hours 13 minutes before
Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion...CORRECTED
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
646 AM AKDT Fri Aug 9 2019

.ANALYSIS AND UPPER LEVELS...

High pressure extends from the north Pacific, across the Alaska
Peninsula and through the eastern Bering. This setup has helped
to dry out Southcentral Alaska and bring northerly, outflow winds
to the area. Additionally, the high pressure has helped in
developing stratus and fog over the eastern Bering and surrounding
areas. Farther out west a front is approaching the western
Aleutians with another round of rain.

&&

.MODEL DISCUSSION...

The models are in good agreement with the majority of the synoptic
features through the midterm. The main area of disagreement is
with a weak shortwave tracking southeast through the mainland on
Sunday. The EC and Canadian models have it moving through
Southcentral Alaska Sunday night while the much slower GFS and NAM
have it pushing through Monday afternoon. These differences will
impact the timing of stronger outflow winds for Southcentral
Alaska. A middle ground solution was preferred.

&&

.AVIATION...

PANC...VFR conditions and light winds will persist.

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA (Days 1 and 2)...

The weather pattern will change little through Saturday night with
the upper level ridge centered to the southwest of the area and
upper level troughing to the northeast. Warm and dry weather will
thus continue. Afternoon high temperatures will continue to be
around 10 degrees above normal for most areas. Winds will be
fairly light as the surface gradient is weak. There is a slight
chance of diurnal thunderstorms over the Talkeetna Mountains today
and Saturday due to some weak instability over the area.

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHWEST ALASKA (Days 1 through 3; Today
through Monday evening)...

High pressure centered east of the Kuskokwim Delta will continue
to bring mostly cloudy skies and cooler temperatures to that
region. Patchy coastal fog will remain possible in weak onshore
flow through Saturday. Meanwhile, northerly offshore flow farther
south will lead to mostly sunny conditions and highs in the low
70s across the middle Kuskokwim Valley and Bristol Bay coasts. A
more dynamic pattern will move into the mainland by Sunday as a
shortwave trough and associated surface front approach from the
west. Though there is still minor disagreement regarding the exact
position and interaction of upper level features, widespread
moderate rain appears likely into Monday as the front moves
inland.

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS (Days 1 through 3;
Today through Monday evening)...

Scattered showers are presently occurring across the western
Aleutians under a weak pre-frontal trough and will continue
through today. The main front will track west to east over the
Bering on Saturday and likely bring a small area of southerly
gales in the Atka area. The parent low will gradually begin to
weaken on Sunday as it becomes vertically stacked, thus winds will
diminish as the front tracks farther east. However, moist
southerly flow will continue into early next week between the
aforementioned low and a high to the southeast. As such, rain is
expected to continue.

&&

.MARINE (Days 3 through 5)...

The front progressing eastward across the central Aleutians and
Bering will be the main weather feature moving into Saturday.
Models are in better agreement with this feature that there will
be small craft winds and even the potential for low end gale force
winds. There is only a small disagreement in the speed of how
fast the front makes it to the eastern Bering by Sunday but all
models are trending to a faster solution than yesterday's model
runs.

&&

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

Models are in better agreement today for the period starting on
Saturday. A ridge is still positioned over the eastern Bering and
southwest Alaska with a low entering the western Bering. There is
also consensus of a secondary low extending down from an Arctic
low that could possibly track across Southwest and Southcentral
through Sunday, which could bring precipitation back to the area.
The pattern change continues through Tuesday as models suggest the
Arctic low merging with the Bering low, flattening the ridge
across southern Alaska. Cloudier and moister conditions will
spread across the region in this sort of pattern. By Wednesday, a
new low should enter the Bering Sea, which will help to re-amplify
the ridge across Southwest and Southcentral, leading to a warming
and drying trend late next week.

&&

.AFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PUBLIC...NONE.
MARINE...NONE.
FIRE WEATHER...NONE.

&&

SYNOPSIS AND MODEL DISCUSSION...DK
SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA...BL
SOUTHWEST ALASKA/BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS...AP
MARINE/LONG TERM...AH

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 9, 3:39 AM AKDTGale WarningAFC36 hr
Aug 9, 3:40 AM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC60 hr
Aug 9, 3:04 PM AKDTGale WarningAFC24 hr
Aug 9, 3:04 PM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC49 hr

Nearby

Gale Warnings in Alaska, 2019Every gale warning in 2019

Sources

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