Alert archive / Alaska / Storm Warnings in 2019

Storm Warning 10, NWS Anchorage, AK

January 29, 2019

NWS Anchorage, AK issued this storm warning at Jan 29, 2019, 3:33 PM AKST. 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
Jan 29, 2019, 3:33 PM AKST (00:33 UTC)
Expired
Jan 31, 2019, 3:46 PM AKST
In force
48 hr
Issued by
NWS Anchorage, AK

The text

As transmitted.

556 
FZAK62 PAFC 300033
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
333 PM AKST Tue Jan 29 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.

PKZ499-301330-
333 PM AKST Tue Jan 29 2019
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 975 mb low at 51N 177E moves to 54N 175W at 1000 mb dissipating
Tue afternoon. A 962 mb low near 47N 170E Wed afternoon moves to 52N
176E at 946 mb Thu morning then shifts to 53N 163W Thu afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-301330-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
333 PM AKST Tue Jan 29 2019

...STORM WARNING WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 12 to 19 ft.
.WED...E wind 20 kt becoming 15 to 30 kt in the afternoon. Seas 9
to 13 ft.
.WED NIGHT...E wind 25 to 40 kt increasing to 40 to 55 kt after
midnight. Seas 11 to 19 ft.
.THU...SE wind 40 to 55 kt. Seas 16 to 26 ft.
.THU NIGHT...S wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 15 to 22 ft.
.FRI...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 13 to 19 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft.

$$

PKZ412-301330-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
333 PM AKST Tue Jan 29 2019

...GALE WARNING WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.
.WED...E wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.WED NIGHT...E wind 10 to 25 kt increasing to 20 to 35 kt after
midnight. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.THU...E wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft.
.THU NIGHT...SE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 12 to 19 ft.
.FRI...S wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 11 to 18 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...S wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.

$$

PKZ413-301330-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
333 PM AKST Tue Jan 29 2019

...GALE WARNING WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft.
.WED...SE wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 10 ft.
.WED NIGHT...SE wind 15 to 30 kt increasing to 30 to 45 kt after
midnight. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.THU...SE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.
.THU NIGHT...S wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 11 to 16 ft.
.FRI...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft.
.SAT...SW wind 30 to 40 kt. Seas 15 to 19 ft.
.SUN...S wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 10 to 17 ft.

$$

PKZ414-301330-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
333 PM AKST Tue Jan 29 2019

.TONIGHT...E wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.
.WED...E wind up to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 6 ft.
.WED NIGHT...E wind up to 15 kt. Seas 4 ft. Freezing spray N of 58N.
.THU...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.FRI...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...S wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft.

$$
5 follow-up statements
480 
FZAK62 PAFC 301251
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
351 AM AKST Wed Jan 30 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.

PKZ499-310130-
351 AM AKST Wed Jan 30 2019
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 975 mb low at 51N 177E moves to 54N 175W at 1000 mb dissipating
Tue afternoon. Its front swings into the Bering and decays through
Thu afternoon. A 962 mb low near 47N 170E Wed afternoon moves to
52N 176E at 946 mb for Mon morning then shifts to 53N 163W with
its front pushing into the Central Aleutians by Thu afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-310130-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
351 AM AKST Wed Jan 30 2019

...STORM WARNING TONIGHT AND THURSDAY...

.TODAY...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 13 ft.
.TONIGHT...E wind 25 to 40 kt increasing to 40 to 55 kt after
midnight. Seas 11 to 19 ft.
.THU...E wind 40 to 55 kt becoming SE 30 to 45 kt in the
afternoon.
Seas 17 to 27 ft. Rain.
.THU NIGHT...S wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft.
.FRI...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft.

$$

PKZ412-310130-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
351 AM AKST Wed Jan 30 2019

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT AND THURSDAY...

.TODAY...E wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.TONIGHT...E wind 10 to 25 kt increasing to 20 to 35 kt after
midnight. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.THU...E wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Rain.
.THU NIGHT...SE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 12 to 19 ft.
.FRI...S wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft.
.SAT...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 14 to 28 ft.
.SUN...S wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 16 to 22 ft.

$$

PKZ413-310130-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
351 AM AKST Wed Jan 30 2019

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT AND THURSDAY...

.TODAY...SE wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 10 ft.
.TONIGHT...SE wind 15 to 30 kt increasing to 30 to 45 kt after
midnight. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.THU...SE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Rain.
.THU NIGHT...S wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 12 to 16 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 15 to 27 ft.
.SUN...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft.

$$

PKZ414-310130-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
351 AM AKST Wed Jan 30 2019

...GALE WARNING THURSDAY...

.TODAY...E wind up to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 6 ft.
.TONIGHT...E wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.THU...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft. Freezing spray. Rain.
.THU NIGHT...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.

$$
816 
FZAK62 PAFC 301252
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
352 AM AKST Wed Jan 30 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.

PKZ499-310130-
352 AM AKST Wed Jan 30 2019
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 975 mb low at 51N 177E moves to 54N 175W at 1000 mb dissipating
Tue afternoon. Its front swings into the Bering and decays through
Thu afternoon. A 962 mb low near 47N 170E Wed afternoon moves to
52N 176E at 946 mb for Mon morning then shifts to 53N 163W with
its front pushing into the Central Aleutians by Thu afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-310130-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
352 AM AKST Wed Jan 30 2019

...STORM WARNING TONIGHT AND THURSDAY...

.TODAY...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 13 ft.
.TONIGHT...E wind 25 to 40 kt increasing to 40 to 55 kt after
midnight. Seas 11 to 19 ft.
.THU...E wind 40 to 55 kt becoming SE 30 to 45 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 17 to 27 ft. Rain.
.THU NIGHT...S wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft.
.FRI...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft.

$$

PKZ412-310130-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
352 AM AKST Wed Jan 30 2019

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT AND THURSDAY...

.TODAY...E wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.TONIGHT...E wind 10 to 25 kt increasing to 20 to 35 kt after
midnight. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.THU...E wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Rain.
.THU NIGHT...SE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 12 to 19 ft.
.FRI...S wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft.
.SAT...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 14 to 28 ft.
.SUN...S wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 16 to 22 ft.

$$

PKZ413-310130-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
352 AM AKST Wed Jan 30 2019

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT AND THURSDAY...

.TODAY...SE wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 10 ft.
.TONIGHT...SE wind 15 to 30 kt increasing to 30 to 45 kt after
midnight. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.THU...SE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Rain.
.THU NIGHT...S wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 12 to 16 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 15 to 27 ft.
.SUN...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft.

$$

PKZ414-310130-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
352 AM AKST Wed Jan 30 2019

...GALE WARNING THURSDAY...

.TODAY...E wind up to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 6 ft.
.TONIGHT...E wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.THU...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft. Freezing spray. Rain.
.THU NIGHT...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.

$$
196 
FZAK62 PAFC 310035
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
335 PM AKST Wed Jan 30 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.

PKZ499-311315-
335 PM AKST Wed Jan 30 2019
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 954 mb low at 49N 169E loops to 54N 167E at 946 mb Thu night and
continues to the Kamchatka Coast at 956 mb for Fri afternoon. Its
front sweeps the Aleutians and Alaska Peninsula by Fri afternoon.
A 969 mb North Pacific low moves to 51N 178E at 961 mb as its 
front pushes over the Aleutians through Fri afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-311315-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
335 PM AKST Wed Jan 30 2019

...STORM WARNING THROUGH THURSDAY...

.TONIGHT...E wind 25 to 40 kt increasing to 40 to 55 kt after
midnight. Seas 11 to 19 ft. Rain.
.THU...SE wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 16 to 24 ft. Rain.
.THU NIGHT...S wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 14 to 21 ft.
.FRI...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 14 to 21 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...SW wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...S wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.

$$

PKZ412-311315-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
335 PM AKST Wed Jan 30 2019

...GALE WARNING THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...E wind 10 to 25 kt increasing to 20 to 35 kt after 
midnight. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.THU...SE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Rain.
.THU NIGHT...SE wind 25 to 40 kt becoming S 15 to 25 kt after
midnight. Seas 12 to 18 ft.
.FRI...S wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 11 to 17 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...S wind 40 to 55 kt. Seas 15 to 30 ft.
.SAT...SW wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 21 to 36 ft.
.SUN...S wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 16 to 22 ft.
.MON...S wind up to 20 kt. Seas 10 to 14 ft.

$$

PKZ413-311315-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
335 PM AKST Wed Jan 30 2019

...GALE WARNING THROUGH THURSDAY...

.TONIGHT...SE wind 15 to 30 kt increasing to 30 to 45 kt after
midnight. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Rain.
.THU...SE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Rain.
.THU NIGHT...S wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 15 ft.
.FRI...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...S wind 40 to 55 kt. Seas 16 to 31 ft.
.SAT...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 17 to 31 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...SW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft.

$$

PKZ414-311315-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
335 PM AKST Wed Jan 30 2019

...GALE WARNING THURSDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...E wind up to 10 kt becoming SE after midnight. Seas 4
ft.
.THU...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft. Rain.
.THU NIGHT...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft. Rain and snow.
.FRI...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...S wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.
.SAT...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...SW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.

$$
151 
FZAK62 PAFC 311246
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
346 AM AKST Thu Jan 31 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.

PKZ499-010215-
346 AM AKST Thu Jan 31 2019
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...
A front associated with a 950 mb low at 50N 169E Thu morning
continues to move east over the Alaska Peninsula by Fri morning. A
second front moves over the central Aleutians by Fri morning. The
associated 969 mb low moves to 52N 179E by Fri afternoon and then
moves to 58N 179W at 961 mb by Sat morning.

$$

PKZ411-010215-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
346 AM AKST Thu Jan 31 2019

...STORM WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...SE wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 17 to 25 ft. Rain.
.TONIGHT...S wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 14 to 21 ft.
.FRI...S wind 25 kt becoming SE 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas 14 to 21 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...SW wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...S wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 15 to 23 ft.
.MON...SW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.

$$

PKZ412-010215-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
346 AM AKST Thu Jan 31 2019

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...SE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft. Rain.
.TONIGHT...SE wind 25 to 40 kt becoming S 15 to 25 kt after
midnight. Seas 12 to 18 ft.
.FRI...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 18 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...S wind 40 to 55 kt. Seas 15 to 30 ft.
.SAT...SW wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 20 to 35 ft.
.SUN...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft.
.MON...SW wind up to 20 kt. Seas 9 to 15 ft.

$$

PKZ413-010215-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
346 AM AKST Thu Jan 31 2019

...GALE WARNING TODAY AND FRIDAY...

.TODAY...SE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft. Rain.
.TONIGHT...S wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 15 ft.
.FRI...S wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft. Rain.
.FRI NIGHT...S wind 40 to 55 kt. Seas 16 to 31 ft.
.SAT...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 16 to 31 ft.
.SUN...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.
.MON...SW wind 20 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.

$$

PKZ414-010215-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
346 AM AKST Thu Jan 31 2019

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft. Rain.
.TONIGHT...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Rain and snow.
.FRI...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...S wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.

$$
866 
FZAK62 PAFC 010046
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
346 PM AKST Thu Jan 31 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.

PKZ499-011330-
346 PM AKST Thu Jan 31 2019
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A front associated with a 946mb low at 54N 166E moves eastward to
extend from St Matthew Island southeast across the Alaska 
Peninsula Thu night. A 970mb low forms moves north to 52N 179w 
Friday afternoon. This low moves to 61N 180 Saturday with a 
pressure of 965mb. A 970mb moves close to 55N 170E Saturday 
afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-011330-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
346 PM AKST Thu Jan 31 2019

...GALE WARNING FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...S wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 14 to 20 ft.
.FRI...S wind 25 kt diminishing to 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.
Seas 14 to 20 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...E wind 20 to 35 kt becoming SW 25 to 40 kt after
midnight. Seas 13 to 20 ft. Rain and snow.
.SAT...S wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 15 to 22 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...SW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 16 to 24 ft.
.SUN...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft.
.MON...SW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.TUE...SE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.

$$

PKZ412-011330-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
346 PM AKST Thu Jan 31 2019

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT AND FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SE wind 20 to 35 kt becoming S 15 to 25 kt after
midnight. Seas 12 to 18 ft.
.FRI...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 17 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...S wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 14 to 27 ft. Rain and snow.
.SAT...S wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 17 to 27 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 16 to 24 ft.
.SUN...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft.
.MON...SW wind up to 20 kt. Seas 9 to 15 ft.
.TUE...S wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 13 ft.

$$

PKZ413-011330-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
346 PM AKST Thu Jan 31 2019

...GALE WARNING FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...S wind 30 kt. Seas 11 to 15 ft.
.FRI...S wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft. Rain.
.FRI NIGHT...SW wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 18 to 27 ft. Rain.
.SAT...SW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...SW wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft.
.SUN...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.
.MON...SW wind 20 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.TUE...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 16 ft.

$$

PKZ414-011330-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
346 PM AKST Thu Jan 31 2019

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT AND FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft. Rain and snow.
.FRI...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...S wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft. Rain.
.SAT...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this storm 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 storm warning went out at Jan 29, 4:50 AM AKST, 10 hours 43 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 29, 4:50 AM AKST, 10 hours 43 minutes before
Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
450 AM AKST Tue Jan 29 2019

.ANALYSIS AND UPPER LEVELS...

This morning's analysis showed what's essentially a positively
tilted Rex Block that has been in place from the eastern tip of
Siberia through the far western Aleutians, with one of the vort
max ejecting from the Aleutians low currently located south of
Nunivak Island. A resultant trough extended southeast across
Kodiak Island into the northern Gulf. Further east, an inverted
ridge extended from the eastern Pacific northwestward to the Yukon
border. This type of synoptic pattern has resulted in deep
southerly flow across southcentral, as the latest CIMSS MIMIC Layer
precipitable water image loop showing both lows (western
Aleutians and the low approaching the Kenai Peninsula) clearly
shows the moisture feed is of tropical origin.

A surface low continued to deepen somewhat as latest analysis
showing this system's strength to be near 995 mb as it approaches
the Barren Islands (just off of the Kenai Peninsula).

&&

.MODEL DISCUSSION...

The models remain in excellent agreement at the surface and aloft,
with todays numerical solutions offering a possible pattern change
towards the end of the work week. The amplitude of such change is
much greater and faster than what was seen yesterday, and this is
sometimes a normal bias. As such, given the amplitude of the
various upper-level features mentioned above, will treat todays
projections with a bit of temporal skepticism.

Model guidance is another story though, as various solutions have
been too warm for many locations when compared to surface/upper
air observations for southcentral, while better agreement exists
further west. This has been the trend over the last 24 hours and
we expect this to continue through the day today.

&&

.AVIATION...

PANC...Look for light snow to continue through at least mid
afternoon, as this mornings RAOB sounding showing a steep
inversion around 925 mb, which has also been confirmed in ACARS
soundings. The inversion's max temp is around +0.5 deg.C/31 deg.
F...and the model guidance has been struggling to play catch up,
as it's been over-aggressive with any warming in the lower levels
over the last 24 hours.

The latest guidance and our belief is that snow will be the
predominant precip type with MVFR visibilities and ceilings continuing
through most of the day. It remains to see if enough warm air will
be sufficient to change the precip to a mix variety, and this is
still possible, but confidence in this is decreasing.

&&

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

Precipitation type and snow amount have been the biggest questions
with this morning's forecasts. There has been a battle with the
warmer air moving in aloft with the colder air at the surface the
past few days. In spite of the warmer air precipitation type
outside of the immediate Gulf coast has been mostly snow with just
some pockets of mixed precipitation. The warmest air (though not
by much) has been expected to move over Anchorage and the
Matanuska Valley and eastward into Prince William Sound today.
That does keep in the possibility of the snow mixing-with or
turning- to rain. An interesting caveat is that the warmest level
aloft on the 12Z anchorage sounding is at 925 mb where it was less
than a degree above freezing. NAM model data shows that warm
layer at 925 mb at its warmest early this morning and then slowly
cooling. If that is the case, precipitation will remain all snow.
Another factor indicating the precipitation mixing is that there
is likely the wet-bulb effect cooling the air column due to the
precipitation rate. Therefore as the precipitation rate lightens,
the remaining precipitation could turn to rain as the air column
then becomes warmer. That is the battle going on and why there
remains mixed precipitation type over a good part of the area
today.

Snow will continue in the Copper River Basin as the warm moist air
overrides the colder air in the Basin. Not much data is available
early this morning to verify snow amounts so far, but a few more
inches should be in store before snow tapers off later today.

Wednesday will be a day where some lingering light snow may still
persist over the area before the cold air begins to move in
Wednesday night into Thursday. This cold air will also kick up
some gusty northerly winds through channeled terrain and along the
coast.

&&

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

Southwest Alaska is currently seeing light snow from a weak
deformation zone that is associated with a low in the Gulf of
Alaska. This broad area of precipitation moved in as expected.
However, looking at satellite and RADAR in the area, the light
snow will hang around a little longer than forecasted this
morning. Therefore, upped the PoPs until late this morning. It
still looks like the system will move out around midday, with a
chance of showers remaining. Patchy fog has also been something to
keep an eye on, with fog remaining a possibility tomorrow,
especially in areas that have received fresh snowfall.

Temperatures remain close to freezing in many areas this morning.
However, a cooling trend is still expected with low level
northeast flow filtering in colder air. This means highs should
be this morning, with temperatures cooling throughout the day and
over the next couple of days.

&&

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

Low pressure continues to spin the western Bering, with the low
center south of Attu Island. This low will continue to fill and
spin with winds gradually weakening. Storm force winds have
diminished and gale force winds will hang on for today in the
western Bering. An occluded boundary stretches east across the
Aleutian Island chain and will produce mainly rain showers through
tomorrow. The Bering will then see a brief break until Thursday,
when the next low moves in from the north Pacific. This low is
anticipated to be another storm force low for the western Bering.

&&

.MARINE (Days 3 through 5)...

A very active weather pattern will continue for the western
Aleutians and Bering for Wednesday night through Saturday with
stronger winds spreading progressively further to the east
through the time period. Confidence is high in a Gale force front
stretching over the western Aleutians Wednesday afternoon/evening
with a stronger developing low tracking north Wednesday night.
While the there is still some uncertainty regarding the location
of the strongest winds associated it is likely that either the
western Aleutians or western portions of the central Aleutians
will see sustained storm force winds out of the front late
Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. As the frontal system
continues north and east Thursday through Thursday night it will
spread a broad area of Gales along with it, to then be reinforced
by another front/upper trough swinging through Friday.

Another system that bears particularly close watching is a
powerful low forecast to track across the central or eastern
Aleutians Friday night or Saturday then continue to strengthen as
it tracks to northeast across the southern Bering, towards
Southwest Alaska. With a low this strong and still continuing to
deepen, rapidly strengthening winds of at least storm force are
likely, although significant run to run changes in the track of
this low makes forecasting the location of the strongest winds
extremely challenging at this time.

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

Upper level ridging over the central Aleutians will shift east
Wednesday night to come into phase with a strong upper level high
centered over the Bering Strait. These features will merge into a
high amplitude upper level ridge centered over western Alaska on
Thursday. To the east of the ridge, an arctic low digging south
through the Yukon and Northwest Territories will drag a cold upper
trough south through eastern Alaska Wednesday night and Thursday
bringing a surge of strong northerly winds to Southcentral Alaska
with it. In channeled terrain where outflow gaps align to support
more of a north or northwesterly wind direction winds will peak
Thursday afternoon with northeasterly oriented gaps becoming more
favored Thursday night through Friday morning. The cold offshore
flow will ease gradually through Saturday when flat ridging ahead
of an incoming frontal system moves over southcentral Alaska. The
associated front will track into the southwestern Gulf Saturday
afternoon and lift north to the northern Gulf coast through
Saturday night.

Out to the west, a front will lift north across the far western
Aleutians Wednesday afternoon while a second frontal wave further
to the south rapidly deepens and tracks north along 180. The
strong front associated with the second low will reach the western
and central Aleutians late Wednesday night through Thursday
morning and then lift north into the southern Bering Thursday and
the parent low curves back to the west. With the support of an
upper level trough rotating north and over the central Aleutians,
the front will continue east to reach the eastern Aleutians
Thursday afternoon and Alaska Peninsula Thursday night. Another
strong and rapidly deepening low pressure system will track across
the central Aleutians Friday night and then continue to the
northeast to reach to reach Southwest Alaska Saturday or Saturday
night bringing strong winds and possible coastal erosion concerns
with it. With a very large upper low stretching across the Bering
and strong southwest to northeasterly oriented jet stream over
the north Pacific it looks likely that the strong southwesterly
storm track will continue to bring a very active weather pattern
to much of the area through midweek.

&&

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

&&

SYNOPSIS AND MODEL DISCUSSION...PD
SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA...EZ
SOUTHWEST ALASKA/BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS...BB
MARINE/LONG TERM...DK

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 29, 3:28 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC3 days
Jan 29, 3:28 PM AKSTStorm WarningAFC3 days
Jan 29, 3:48 PM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC24 hr
Jan 30, 3:11 AM AKSTGale WarningAFC13 hr
Jan 30, 3:11 AM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC13 hr
Jan 30, 3:33 AM AKSTWinter Storm WatchAFC13 hr
Jan 30, 3:51 AM AKSTGale WarningAFC71 hr
Jan 30, 3:51 AM AKSTGale WarningAFC4 days
Jan 30, 3:51 AM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC4 days

Nearby

Storm Warnings in Alaska, 2019Every storm 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.