Alert archive / Alaska / Gale Warnings in 2020

Gale Warning 556, NWS Anchorage, AK

October 20, 2020

NWS Anchorage, AK issued this gale warning at Oct 20, 2020, 3:37 AM AKDT. It was in force for 36 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
Oct 20, 2020, 3:37 AM AKDT (11:37 UTC)
Expired
Oct 21, 2020, 4:00 PM AKDT
In force
36 hr
Issued by
NWS Anchorage, AK

The text

As transmitted.

656 
FZAK51 PAFC 201137
CWFAER

Coastal Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage Alaska
337 AM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

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.

PKZ197-210030-
337 AM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020
.SYNOPSIS FOR THE NORTH GULF COAST+KODIAK ISLAND WATERS+
COOK INLET...
A front over the western Gulf weakens through Tue afternoon. A
strong front enters the southwestern Gulf Wed afternoon and
spreads across the Gulf through Thu morning.

$$

PKZ119-210030-
Cape Suckling to Cape Cleare-
337 AM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TONIGHT...

.TODAY...N wind 20 kt. Gusts to 40 kt out of the Copper River 
Delta. Seas 6 ft.
.TONIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Gusts to 50 kt out of the Copper River 
Delta. Seas 6 ft.
.WED...NE wind 20 kt. Gusts to 45 kt out of the Copper River
Delta. Seas 5 ft.
.WED NIGHT...E wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.THU...E wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...SE wind 25 kt. Seas 11 ft.

$$

PKZ120-210030-
Cape Cleare to Gore Point-
337 AM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.TONIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.WED...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.WED NIGHT...E wind 30 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...E wind 30 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.SAT...E wind 20 kt. Seas 10 ft.

$$

PKZ121-210030-
Resurrection Bay-
337 AM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...N wind 25 kt . Gusts to 35 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.TONIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Gusts to 35 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.WED...N wind 20 kt diminishing to 10 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas 4 ft subsiding to 2 ft in the afternoon.
.WED NIGHT THROUGH THU...N wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...Variable wind less than 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$

PKZ125-210030-
Prince William Sound-
337 AM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

.TODAY...NW wind 20 kt. Gusts to 30 kt out of bays and passes. 
Seas 3 ft.
.TONIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Gusts to 30 kt out of bays and passes.  
Seas 3 ft.
.WED...N wind 15 kt. Gusts to 30 kt out of bays and passes. 
Seas 3 ft.
.WED NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.THU...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...E wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ126-210030-
Port Valdez-
337 AM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...NE wind 15 kt becoming E 25 kt in the afternoon. Gusts 
to 35 kt. Seas 3 ft building to 5 ft in the afternoon.
.TONIGHT...E wind 25 kt. Gusts to 40 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.WED...E wind 20 kt. Gusts to 40 kt diminishing to 30 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 4 ft.
.WED NIGHT...E wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.THU...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...Variable wind less than 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$

PKZ127-210030-
Valdez Narrows-
337 AM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...GALE WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

.TODAY...N wind 35 kt. Seas 4 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...N wind 35 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.WED...N wind 35 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.WED NIGHT...N wind 30 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.THU...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ128-210030-
Valdez Arm-
337 AM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.WED...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.WED NIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.THU...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ129-210030-
Passage Canal-
337 AM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...W wind 25 kt. Gusts to 40 kt near Whittier. Seas 4 ft.
.TONIGHT...W wind 25 kt diminishing to 15 kt after midnight. Gusts to
40 kt near Whittier in the evening. Seas 4 ft subsiding to 2 ft 
after midnight.
.WED...W wind 10 kt in the morning becoming variable less than
10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.WED NIGHT THROUGH THU...E wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...Variable wind less than 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$

PKZ130-210030-
West of Barren Islands including Kamishak Bay-
337 AM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...NW wind 40 kt diminishing to 30 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas 14 ft.
.TONIGHT...NW wind 30 kt becoming N 20 kt after midnight. 
Seas 11  ft.
.WED...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.WED NIGHT...E wind 35 kt. Seas 13 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...E wind 35 kt. Seas 15 ft.
.SAT...E wind 25 kt. Seas 6 ft.

$$

PKZ131-210030-
Barren Islands East-
337 AM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 14 ft.
.TONIGHT...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.WED...E wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.WED NIGHT...E wind 35 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...E wind 40 kt. Seas 16 ft.
.SAT...SE wind 25 kt. Seas 11 ft.

$$

PKZ132-210030-
Marmot Island to Sitkinak-
337 AM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

.TODAY...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 15 kt except NW 25 kt N of Dangerous Cape. 
Seas 6 ft.
.WED...E wind 30 kt. Seas 4 ft building to 8 ft in the afternoon.
.WED NIGHT...E wind 45 kt. Seas 16 ft.
.THU...E wind 35 kt. Seas 17 ft.
.FRI...S wind 35 kt. Seas 17 ft.
.SAT...S wind 15 kt. Seas 10 ft.

$$

PKZ136-210030-
Chiniak Bay-
337 AM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TODAY...

.TODAY...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.TONIGHT...NW wind 15 kt diminishing to 10 kt after midnight. 
Seas 2 ft.
.WED...N wind 10 kt becoming E 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 3 ft.
.WED NIGHT...E wind 35 kt. Seas 13 ft.
.THU...E wind 30 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.FRI...SE wind 30 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.SAT...S wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$

PKZ137-210030-
Marmot Bay-
337 AM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

.TODAY...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.TONIGHT...NW wind 15 kt diminishing to 10 kt after midnight. 
Seas 3 ft.
.WED...N wind 10 kt becoming E 20 kt in the afternoon. Seas 3 ft
building to 7 ft in the afternoon.
.WED NIGHT...E wind 35 kt. Seas 16 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...SE wind 30 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.SAT...SE wind 10 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ138-210030-
Shelikof Strait-
337 AM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...GALE WARNING WEDNESDAY...

.TODAY...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.TONIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.WED...NE wind 25 kt increasing to 35 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas building to 14 ft. 
.WED NIGHT...NE wind 45 kt. Seas 18 ft.
.THU...E wind 40 kt. Seas 13 ft.
.FRI...E wind 35 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.SAT...SE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ139-210030-
Cook Inlet Kalgin Island to Point Bede-
337 AM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY WEDNESDAY...

.TODAY...N wind 15 kt diminishing to 10 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas 4 ft.
.TONIGHT...N wind 10 kt increasing to 20 kt after midnight. 
Seas 4 ft building to 6 ft after midnight.
.WED...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.WED NIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.

$$

PKZ140-210030-
Cook Inlet North of Kalgin Island-
337 AM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

.TODAY...N wind 10 kt. Seas 3 ft. Patchy fog.
.TONIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.WED...N wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.WED NIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.THU...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.FRI...N wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

PKZ141-210030-
Kachemak Bay-
337 AM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

.TODAY...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.TONIGHT...N wind 10 kt becoming NE 15 kt after midnight. 
Seas 3 ft.
.WED...NE wind 15 kt in the morning becoming variable less 
than 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.WED NIGHT...E wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.THU...E wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SAT...E wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$
2 follow-up statements
139 
FZAK51 PAFC 210001
CWFAER

Coastal Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage Alaska
401 PM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

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.

PKZ197-211315-
401 PM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020
.SYNOPSIS FOR THE NORTH GULF COAST+KODIAK ISLAND WATERS+
COOK INLET...

High pressure moves across the Gulf through Thu afternoon. A front 
enters the southwest Gulf Thu morning and persists along the 
southern Gulf through Thu afternoon.

$$

PKZ119-211315-
Cape Suckling to Cape Cleare-
401 PM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

.TONIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Gusts increasing to 50 kt out of the Copper
River Delta. Seas 6 ft.
.WED...NE wind 20 kt. Gusts to 45 kt out of the Copper River
Delta. Seas 4 ft.
.WED NIGHT...E wind 20 kt. Gusts to 35 kt out of the Copper River 
Delta. Seas 4 ft.
.THU...E wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.THU NIGHT...E wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...SE wind 25 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.SUN...SE wind 20 kt. Seas 8 ft.

$$

PKZ120-211315-
Cape Cleare to Gore Point-
401 PM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.WED...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.WED NIGHT...E wind 20 kt increasing to 30 kt after midnight. Seas 5
ft.
.THU...E wind 30 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.THU NIGHT...E wind 30 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.FRI...E wind 30 kt. Seas 14 ft.
.SAT...E wind 20 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.SUN...E wind 15 kt. Seas 7 ft.

$$

PKZ121-211315-
Resurrection Bay-
401 PM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Gusts to 35 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.WED...N wind 20 kt diminishing to 10 kt in the afternoon. Seas 3 
ft.
.WED NIGHT...Variable wind less than 10 kt becoming N 10 kt after
midnight. Seas 2 ft.
.THU AND THU NIGHT...N wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI...N wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT...Variable wind less than 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SUN...N wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$

PKZ125-211315-
Prince William Sound-
401 PM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

.TONIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Gusts to 30 kt out of bays and passes. Seas
3 ft.
.WED...N wind 20 kt. Gusts to 30 kt out of bays and passes. Seas 3 
ft.
.WED NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.THU AND THU NIGHT...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ126-211315-
Port Valdez-
401 PM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...E wind increasing to 25 kt. Gusts increasing to 35 kt. 
Seas 5 ft.
.WED...E wind 20 kt. Gusts to 35 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.WED NIGHT...E wind 15 kt diminishing to 10 kt after midnight.
Seas 3 ft.
.THU AND THU NIGHT...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...Variable wind less than 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SUN...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$

PKZ127-211315-
Valdez Narrows-
401 PM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...GALE WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

.TONIGHT...N wind 25 kt in the evening increasing to 35 kt. Seas 4 
ft.
.WED...N wind 35 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.WED NIGHT...N wind 30 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.THU...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ128-211315-
Valdez Arm-
401 PM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...GALE WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 15 kt in the evening increasing to 35 kt. Seas 7 
ft.
.WED...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.WED NIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.THU...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ129-211315-
Passage Canal-
401 PM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

.TONIGHT...W wind increasing to 20 kt. Gusts to 30 kt near Whittier.
Seas 3 ft.
.WED...W wind 10 kt in the morning becoming variable less than
10 kt. Gusts to 20 kt near Whittier in the morning. Seas 2 ft.
.WED NIGHT...E wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.THU AND THU NIGHT...E wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI...E wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...Variable wind less than 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$

PKZ130-211315-
West of Barren Islands including Kamishak Bay-
401 PM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...GALE WARNING WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 30 kt becoming N 20 kt after midnight. Seas 7
ft.
.WED...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.WED NIGHT...E wind 35 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.THU...E wind 35 kt. Seas 13 ft.
.THU NIGHT...E wind 40 kt. Seas 16 ft.
.FRI...E wind 40 kt. Seas 15 ft.
.SAT...E wind 25 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.SUN...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ131-211315-
Barren Islands East-
401 PM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...GALE WARNING WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.WED...E wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.WED NIGHT...E wind 25 kt in the evening increasing to 35 kt. Seas 7
ft.
.THU...E wind 35 kt. Seas 13 ft.
.THU NIGHT...E wind 40 kt. Seas 15 ft.
.FRI...E wind 40 kt. Seas 17 ft.
.SAT...SE wind 25 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.SUN...SE wind 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.

$$

PKZ132-211315-
Marmot Island to Sitkinak-
401 PM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...GALE WARNING WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 15 kt except N 25 kt N of Dangerous Cape. Seas
6 ft.
.WED...E wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.WED NIGHT...E wind 30 kt in the evening increasing to 40 kt. Seas 
10 ft building to 15 ft after midnight. Rain.
.THU AND THU NIGHT...E wind 40 kt. Seas 18 ft.
.FRI...SE wind 35 kt. Seas 17 ft.
.SAT...S wind 15 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.SUN...SW wind 15 kt. Seas 7 ft.

$$

PKZ136-211315-
Chiniak Bay-
401 PM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 15 kt diminishing to 10 kt after midnight. Seas
2 ft.
.WED...N wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft building to 4 ft in the afternoon.
.WED NIGHT...E wind 15 kt in the evening increasing to 25 kt. Seas 6
ft in the evening building to 9 ft. Rain.
.THU AND THU NIGHT...E wind 30 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.FRI...SE wind 30 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.SAT...S wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SUN...Variable wind less than 10 kt. Seas 1 ft.

$$

PKZ137-211315-
Marmot Bay-
401 PM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.WED...E wind 20 kt. Seas 2 ft building to 5 ft in the afternoon.
.WED NIGHT...E wind 20 kt in the evening increasing to 30 kt. Seas 
7 ft in the evening building to 12 ft.
.THU AND THU NIGHT...E wind 30 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.FRI...E wind 30 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.SAT...SE wind 10 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN...Variable wind less than 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$

PKZ138-211315-
Shelikof Strait-
401 PM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...GALE WARNING WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.WED...NE wind 20 kt increasing to 30 kt in the afternoon. Seas 5 ft
building to 9 ft in the afternoon.
.WED NIGHT...E wind 30 kt becoming NE 40 kt after midnight. Seas 9 ft
building to 13 ft.
.THU AND THU NIGHT...E wind 40 kt. Seas 13 ft.
.FRI...E wind 35 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.SAT...SE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$

PKZ139-211315-
Cook Inlet Kalgin Island to Point Bede-
401 PM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 10 kt becoming NE 20 kt after midnight. Seas 4
ft building to 6 ft after midnight.
.WED...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.WED NIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.THU AND THU NIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.SUN...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ140-211315-
Cook Inlet North of Kalgin Island-
401 PM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

.TONIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 6 ft. Patchy fog.
.WED...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.WED NIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.THU...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SUN...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ141-211315-
Kachemak Bay-
401 PM AKDT Tue Oct 20 2020

.TONIGHT...NE wind 10 kt increasing to 15 kt after midnight. Seas
2 ft.
.WED...NE wind 10 kt increasing to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas
3 ft.
.WED NIGHT...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.THU...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.THU NIGHT...E wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SAT...E wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN...Variable wind less than 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$
601 
FZAK51 PAFC 211122
CWFAER

Coastal Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage Alaska
322 AM AKDT Wed Oct 21 2020

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.

PKZ197-220000-
322 AM AKDT Wed Oct 21 2020
.SYNOPSIS FOR THE NORTH GULF COAST+KODIAK ISLAND WATERS+
COOK INLET...
A front in the southwest Gulf Wed afternoon spreads into the 
central Gulf by Thu morning and persists through Fri.

$$

PKZ119-220000-
Cape Suckling to Cape Cleare-
322 AM AKDT Wed Oct 21 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THURSDAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 20 kt. Gusts to 45 kt near the Copper River 
Delta. Seas 4 ft.
.TONIGHT...E wind 20 kt. Gusts to 35 kt near the Copper River 
Delta. Seas 5 ft.
.THU...E wind 25 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.THU NIGHT...E wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.FRI...E wind 25 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.SAT...E wind 30 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.SUN...SE wind 40 kt. Seas 14 ft.

$$

PKZ120-220000-
Cape Cleare to Gore Point-
322 AM AKDT Wed Oct 21 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TONIGHT AND THURSDAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.TONIGHT...E wind 20 kt increasing to 30 kt after midnight. 
Seas 8 ft.
.THU...E wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.THU NIGHT...E wind 30 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.FRI...E wind 30 kt. Seas 14 ft.
.SAT...E wind 25 kt. Seas 13 ft.
.SUN...E wind 30 kt. Seas 13 ft.

$$

PKZ121-220000-
Resurrection Bay-
322 AM AKDT Wed Oct 21 2020

.TODAY...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.TONIGHT...N wind 10 kt increasing to 15 kt after midnight. 
Seas 3 ft.
.THU...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.THU NIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.FRI...N wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT...Variable wind less than 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SUN...N wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$

PKZ125-220000-
Prince William Sound-
322 AM AKDT Wed Oct 21 2020

.TODAY...N wind 20 kt. Gusts to 30 kt out of bays and
passes. Seas 3 ft.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. 
.THU...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...E wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

PKZ126-220000-
Port Valdez-
322 AM AKDT Wed Oct 21 2020

.TODAY...E wind 20 kt. Gusts to 35 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.TONIGHT...E wind 15 kt diminishing to 10 kt after midnight. 
Gusts to 30 kt in the evening. Seas 3 ft.
.THU...E wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...Variable wind less than 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SUN...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$

PKZ127-220000-
Valdez Narrows-
322 AM AKDT Wed Oct 21 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH THURSDAY...

.TODAY...N wind 30 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.TONIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.THU...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ128-220000-
Valdez Arm-
322 AM AKDT Wed Oct 21 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TODAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.THU...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ129-220000-
Passage Canal-
322 AM AKDT Wed Oct 21 2020

.TODAY...W wind 15 kt in the morning becoming variable less than
10 kt. Gusts to 25 kt near Whittier this morning. Seas 2 ft.
.TONIGHT...E wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.THU...E wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.THU NIGHT...E wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...E wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN...E wind 30 kt. Seas 5 ft.

$$

PKZ130-220000-
West of Barren Islands including Kamishak Bay-
322 AM AKDT Wed Oct 21 2020

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT AND THURSDAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.TONIGHT...E wind 25 kt increasing to 35 kt after midnight.
Seas 13 ft.
.THU...E wind 40 kt. Seas 16 ft.
.THU NIGHT...E wind 40 kt. Seas 18 ft.
.FRI...E wind 40 kt. Seas 15 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 9 ft.

$$

PKZ131-220000-
Barren Islands East-
322 AM AKDT Wed Oct 21 2020

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT AND THURSDAY...

.TODAY...E wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.TONIGHT...E wind 25 kt increasing to 35 kt after midnight. 
Seas 9 ft.
.THU...E wind 35 kt. Seas 13 ft.
.THU NIGHT...E wind 40 kt. Seas 16 ft.
.FRI...E wind 40 kt. Seas 17 ft.
.SAT...E wind 30 kt. Seas 14 ft.
.SUN...E wind 35 kt. Seas 15 ft.

$$

PKZ132-220000-
Marmot Island to Sitkinak-
322 AM AKDT Wed Oct 21 2020

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT AND THURSDAY...

.TODAY...E wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.TONIGHT...E wind 35 kt increasing to 45 kt after midnight. E wind 30
kt N of Dangerous Cape. Seas 13 ft building to 18 ft after midnight.
N of Dangerous Cape, seas 10 ft. Rain.
.THU...E wind 45 kt. Seas 20 ft. Rain.
.THU NIGHT...E wind 40 kt. Seas 19 ft.
.FRI...SE wind 35 kt. Seas 17 ft.
.SAT...SE wind 20 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.SUN...S wind 25 kt. Seas 16 ft.

$$

PKZ136-220000-
Chiniak Bay-
322 AM AKDT Wed Oct 21 2020

...GALE WARNING THURSDAY...

.TODAY...N wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft building to 4 ft in the
afternoon.
.TONIGHT...E wind 25 kt. Seas 9 ft. Rain.
.THU...E wind 25 kt increasing to 35 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas 10 ft building to 14 ft in the afternoon.
.THU NIGHT...E wind 35 kt. Seas 14 ft.
.FRI...E wind 30 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.SAT...SE wind 10 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN...S wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ137-220000-
Marmot Bay-
322 AM AKDT Wed Oct 21 2020

...GALE WARNING THURSDAY...

.TODAY...E wind 20 kt. Seas 2 ft building to 5 ft in the
afternoon.
.TONIGHT...E wind 30 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.THU...E wind 35 kt. Seas 10 ft building to 16 ft in the
afternoon.
.THU NIGHT...E wind 35 kt. Seas 16 ft.
.FRI...E wind 30 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.SAT...E wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SUN...E wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

PKZ138-220000-
Shelikof Strait-
322 AM AKDT Wed Oct 21 2020

...GALE WARNING THROUGH THURSDAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 25 kt increasing to 35 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas 8 ft building to 14 ft in the afternoon.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 40 kt. Seas 19 ft.
.THU...NE wind 45 kt. Seas 20 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 45 kt. Seas 20 ft.
.FRI...E wind 35 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.SAT...E wind 25 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SUN...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.

$$

PKZ139-220000-
Cook Inlet Kalgin Island to Point Bede-
322 AM AKDT Wed Oct 21 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH THURSDAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.THU...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.SUN...N wind 30 kt. Seas 8 ft.

$$

PKZ140-220000-
Cook Inlet North of Kalgin Island-
322 AM AKDT Wed Oct 21 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THURSDAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft building to 6 ft 
in the afternoon.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.THU...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SUN...N wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.

$$

PKZ141-220000-
Kachemak Bay-
322 AM AKDT Wed Oct 21 2020

.TODAY...NE wind 10 kt increasing to 15 kt in the 
afternoon. Seas 3 ft.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.THU...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.THU NIGHT...E wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 4 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 Oct 19, 5:54 PM AKDT, 9 hours 43 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Oct 19, 5:54 PM AKDT, 9 hours 43 minutes before
Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
554 PM AKDT Mon Oct 19 2020

.ANALYSIS AND UPPER LEVELS...
A nearly stationary complex upper level trough over much of the
South Mainland is bringing rain and snow showers to the Southwest,
as well as steady snow from the Copper River Basin northward into
the interior. The snow over the Copper River Basin is from the
remnants of the cold upper low that brought the first snow of the
season to the low elevations of Southcentral yesterday. Over the
Gulf, a weak low moving into the Eastern Gulf is bringing offshore
flow and gusty outflow winds to much of the Gulf Coast.

Looking upstream, a high amplitude ridge is building from the
eastern Bering Sea toward western Alaska. Clouds and showers
persist over Southwest Alaska on the back side of the upper
trough. Weather across the Bering Sea and Aleutians is quite
benign under the influence of the ridge. Lastly, a short-wave
trough is digging southward out of eastern Russia, which will
lead to significant amplification of the upper level flow and
a more stormy weather pattern in the coming days.

&&

.MODEL DISCUSSION...
Models are in fairly good agreement with large scale features over
the next few days. In particular, they are locked on to the
general track of two deep lows developing south of the Aleutian
chain and Alaska Peninsula Tuesday through Wednesday. The 12Z NAM
was a bit faster in the northward progression of the frontal
system into Southwest Alaska Wednesday, but 18Z has come in line
with other solutions. With the more western system, the 18Z GFS
has shifted the low center further north toward the western
Aleutians and is quite a bit deeper (storm force) on Wednesday.
Will disregard this for now and continue with what had been a
consensus on a further south position and gale force low.

&&

.AVIATION...

PANC...While skies have cleared in the Anchorage area, radiational
cooling at sunset will quickly lead to formation of a surface-
based inversion. Thus, it appears likely that stratus and/or fog
will likely form tonight in Anchorage. The most likely scenario is
for a repeat of last night with an MVFR ceiling, but there
certainly could be lower clouds/vis in the vicinity. Low level
northerly winds will strengthen by late Tuesday morning, which
will clear out the clouds for good.

&&

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

A southward digging trough will continue to produce occasional
light snow over the Copper River Basin through the late evening
hours. Clouds will also linger from the Talkeetna and Chugach
Mountains east to the Al-Can border through tomorrow. A cold,
northerly flow in the wake of the trough will allow snow showers
to persist over the mountains through Tuesday. Valley locations
should remain relatively clear as drier air works in from the
interior. Low stratus, however, may hang around northern Cook
Inlet and the Kenai area late this evening through early Tuesday
morning before dissipating.

As the trough moves to the Gulf and a ridge builds inland, strong
northerly gap winds will develop along the coast in response to
both the increased thermal gradient and pressure gradient. Winds
speeds and gusts will first increase this evening along the
eastern Kenai Peninsula coast and spread east to Prince William
Sound and the Copper River Delta Tuesday. Winds peak for locations
like Seward and Whittier late Tuesday evening and continue through
late Wednesday for places like Valdez and the Copper River Delta.

A front is then expected to enter the western Gulf on Wednesday
with easterly gales and increasing chances for precipitation from
Kodiak Island and Shelikof Strait to the Barren Islands.

&&

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

Remnants of an elongated upper level trough will continue to
dissipate and move off to the southwest this evening as a ridge
builds in from the west. This should lead to showers dissipating
throughout the region by Tuesday morning, giving way to clear
skies and seasonal temperatures Tuesday and Wednesday for the
Southwest mainland. A strong front is then expected to reach the
southern AKPEN Wednesday morning, bringing strong winds and
moderate to heavy rain. By this time the upper level ridge is
expected to be centered near Norton Sound with the surface high
centered over the interior. These features should prevent the
progression of the front well into the Southwest mainland, instead
stalling and slowly weakening along the Southwest coastline on
Thursday. The main impacts from front will be strong winds and
rain from Cold Bay to Kamishak Gap as the front progresses north
Wednesday through Thursday afternoon.

&&

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

Surface high pressure and the associated ridge will allow for one
last day of calm weather across the region before two north
Pacific low pressure systems begin to impact the area Wednesday
morning. At this time a high amplitude trough and strong upper
level low center are expected to move southeast out of the
Kamchatka Peninsula. This will lead to the creation of two low
pressure systems in the north Pacific which will impact the region
through the end of the forecast period. On Wednesday morning the
eastern of the two lows is expected to be south of Nikolski, while
the stronger western low is south of Amchitka. Although the
eastern low is weaker, a strong pressure gradient will exist due
to the retreating high over the Alaska mainland. This should lead
to an area of storm force winds and rain along the front as it
moves from the central Aleutians Wednesday and into Bristol Bay
Thursday. Models remain in disagreement in regards to the western
low with some deterministic solutions showing gales over the
western Aleutians Wednesday before the low moves to the south. By
Thursday afternoon models come into better agreement that the
western low will absorb the remnants of the eastern low somewhere
near Adak. The resultant wind field should be widespread gales for
most of the Bering.

&&

.MARINE (Days 3 through 5: Thursday through Saturday)...

Gulf of Alaska:

A well developed front moves across the Gulf through Sat. The
track and development vary considerably, but widespread easterly
gale force winds and waves will spread across the Gulf through
Sat. The area of gale force winds retreat to around Kodiak Island
Sat, leaving small craft winds over the Gulf slowly diminishing
through Sat.

Bering Sea:

A North Pacific low and front moves into the Central Bering
through Sat. Track and development of the system vary
considerably, but overall area coverage looks reasonable, with
easterly gale force winds and waves spreading into the Bering.
High end gale winds expected in Bristol Bay near Alaska Peninsula
channeled areas. The winds wrap the low bring a second round of
gale force winds across the Eastern Aleutians Fri. The entire
system slowly diminishes to small craft winds Sat.

&&

.LONG TERM FORECAST (Days 3 through 7: Thursday through
Monday)...

At the onset of the forecast period there is a ridge axis that
spans from the East Pacific across Kodiak and north of the Brooks
Range. Additionally, there is a robust low over the Central
Aleutians. The leading edge of the precipitation shield will be at
the door step of Dillingham, King Salmon and Kipnuk. 48 hrs
later, the ridge axis is just east of Cordova and the upper level
low anchoring the aforementioned system is near the Pribilof
Islands. However, this pattern will result in broad southwest
flow over much of Southcentral and the precipitation shield will
have moved eastward. At this time, it is still too far out to tell
whether the front will bring any rain/snow to the Anchorage area.
The front will most definitely get sheared by the western Alaska
Range. Showers will linger over the Bering in association with the
remnants of the occlusion. In its wake, a new front will emerge
from the North Pacific. The precipitation shield will begin to
impact Attu Island and Shemya Saturday night.

&&

.AFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PUBLIC...NONE.
MARINE...Storm Warning 172.
 Gale Warning 127 128 130 155 165 170 171 173 174 175 176.
FIRE WEATHER...NONE.

&&

SYNOPSIS AND MODEL DISCUSSION...DEK/SB
SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA...TM
SOUTHWEST ALASKA/BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS...CJ
MARINE/LONG TERM...MK/PS

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Oct 20, 3:37 AM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC36 hr
Oct 20, 4:00 AM AKDTGale WarningAFC4 days
Oct 20, 4:13 AM AKDTGale WarningAFC4 days
Oct 20, 4:13 AM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC12 hr
Oct 20, 4:13 AM AKDTStorm WarningAFC48 hr
Oct 20, 3:42 PM AKDTStorm WarningAFC36 hr
Oct 20, 3:51 PM AKDTGale WarningAFC3 days
Oct 20, 3:51 PM AKDTGale WarningAFC72 hr
Oct 20, 3:51 PM AKDTStorm WarningAFC59 hr

Nearby

Gale Warnings in Alaska, 2020Every gale warning in 2020

Sources

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