Alert archive / Alaska / High Surf Advisories in 2020

High Surf Advisory 2, NWS Anchorage, AK

September 5, 2020

NWS Anchorage, AK issued this high surf advisory at Sep 5, 2020, 4:35 PM AKDT. It took effect at Sep 7, 2020, 2:00 AM AKDT. It was in force for 16 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Sep 5, 2020, 4:35 PM AKDT (00:35 UTC)
In effect from
Sep 7, 2020, 2:00 AM AKDT
Expired
Sep 7, 2020, 6:00 PM AKDT
In force
16 hr
Issued by
NWS Anchorage, AK

The text

As transmitted.

609 
WHAK42 PAFC 060035
CFWALU

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
435 PM AKDT Sat Sep 5 2020

AKZ155-070100-
/O.NEW.PAFC.SU.Y.0002.200907T1000Z-200908T0200Z/
Kuskokwim Delta-
435 PM AKDT Sat Sep 5 2020

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 6 PM AKDT MONDAY FROM
KIPNUK EAST...

The National Weather Service in Anchorage has issued a High Surf
Advisory, which is in effect from 2 AM to 6 PM AKDT Monday. 

* LOCATION...From Kipnuk East

* WAVES AND SURF...High surf impacting the coastline will occur
  around the high tides on Monday. South winds of 30-35 kts over
  the Bering Sea will push the water level to 1-2 ft above highest
  astronomical tide (grass line) when the high tides occur. 

* TIMING...2 am to 6 pm Monday, with the highest water levels
  around the high tides. High tide will occur early Monday morning
  and again Monday afternoon for the Kuskokwim Bay Coast.

* IMPACTS...High surf and wave action and coastal erosion are
  possible.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A high surf advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in
the advisory area, producing rip currents and localized beach
erosion.

&&

$$
4 follow-up statements
311 
WHAK42 PAFC 061151
CFWALU

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
351 AM AKDT Sun Sep 6 2020

AKZ161-080000-
/O.EXA.PAFC.SU.Y.0002.200907T1000Z-200908T0200Z/
Bristol Bay-
351 AM AKDT Sun Sep 6 2020

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 6 PM AKDT MONDAY FROM
NAKNEK WEST...

The National Weather Service in Anchorage has issued a High Surf
Advisory, which is in effect from 2 AM to 6 PM AKDT Monday. 

* LOCATION...From Naknek West

* WAVES AND SURF...High surf impacting the coastline will occur
  around the high tides on Monday. South winds of 30-45 kts over
  Bristol Bay will cause waves to reach 11 to 17 ft allowing for 
  high wave action and surf along the coastline. 

* TIMING...2 am to 6 pm Monday, with the highest water levels
  around the high tides. High tide will occur early Monday morning
  and again Monday afternoon for the Bristol Bay coast. 

* IMPACTS...High surf and wave action and coastal erosion are 
  possible. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A high surf advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in
the advisory area, producing rip currents and localized beach
erosion.

&&

$$

AKZ155-080000-
/O.CON.PAFC.SU.Y.0002.200907T1000Z-200908T0200Z/
Kuskokwim Delta-
351 AM AKDT Sun Sep 6 2020

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 6 PM AKDT
MONDAY FROM KIPNUK EAST...

* LOCATION...From Kipnuk East

* WAVES AND SURF...High surf impacting the coastline will occur 
  around the high tides on Monday. South winds of 30-35 kts over 
  the Bering Sea will push the water level to 1-2 ft above 
  highest astronomical tide (grass line) when the high tides 
  occur. 

* TIMING...2 am to 6 pm Monday, with the highest water levels 
  around the high tides. High tide will occur early Monday 
  morning and again Monday afternoon for the Kuskokwim Bay 
  Coast. 

* IMPACTS...High surf and wave action and coastal erosion are 
  possible. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A high surf advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in
the advisory area, producing rip currents and localized beach
erosion.

&&

$$
586 
WHAK42 PAFC 070003
CFWALU

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
403 PM AKDT Sun Sep 6 2020

AKZ155-080200-
/O.CON.PAFC.SU.Y.0002.200907T1000Z-200908T0200Z/
Kuskokwim Delta-
403 PM AKDT Sun Sep 6 2020

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 6 PM AKDT
MONDAY...

* LOCATION...From Kipnuk East

* WAVES AND SURF...High surf impacting the coastline will occur
  around the high tides on Monday. South winds of 30 to 35 kts
  over Kuskokwim Bay will push the water level to 1 to 2 ft above
  highest astronomical tide (grass line) when the high tides 
  occur. 

* TIMING...2 am to 6 pm Monday, with the highest water levels 
  around the high tides. High tide will occur early Monday 
  morning and again Monday afternoon for the Kuskokwim Bay 
  Coast. 

* IMPACTS...High surf and wave action and coastal erosion are 
  possible. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A high surf advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in
the advisory area, producing rip currents and localized beach
erosion.

&&

$$

AKZ161-080200-
/O.CON.PAFC.SU.Y.0002.200907T1000Z-200908T0200Z/
Bristol Bay-
403 PM AKDT Sun Sep 6 2020

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 6 PM AKDT
MONDAY...

* LOCATION...From Naknek West

* WAVES AND SURF...High surf impacting the coastline will occur
  around the high tides on Monday. South winds of 30 to 45 kts 
  over Bristol Bay will push the water level to 1 to 2 ft above 
  highest astronomical tide (grass line) when the high tides 
  occur. 

* TIMING...2 am to 6 pm Monday, with the highest water levels 
  around the high tides. High tide will occur early Monday 
  morning and again Monday afternoon for the Bristol Bay coast. 

* IMPACTS...High surf and wave action and coastal erosion are 
  possible. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A high surf advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in
the advisory area, producing rip currents and localized beach
erosion.

&&

$$
343 
WHAK42 PAFC 071147
CFWALU

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
347 AM AKDT Mon Sep 7 2020

AKZ155-080200-
/O.CON.PAFC.SU.Y.0002.000000T0000Z-200908T0200Z/
Kuskokwim Delta-
347 AM AKDT Mon Sep 7 2020

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKDT THIS
EVENING FROM KIPNUK EAST...

* LOCATION...From Kipnuk East

* WAVES AND SURF...High surf impacting the coastline will occur
  around the high tides today. South winds of 30 to 35 kts over 
  Kuskokwim Bay will push the water level to 1 to 2 ft above 
  highest astronomical tide (grass line) when the high tides 
  occur. 

* TIMING...Through 6 PM today, with the highest water levels 
  around the high tides. High tide will occur early this morning 
  and again this afternoon for the Kuskokwim Bay Coast. 

* IMPACTS...High surf and wave action and coastal erosion are 
  possible. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A high surf advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in
the advisory area, producing rip currents and localized beach
erosion.

&&

$$

AKZ161-080200-
/O.CON.PAFC.SU.Y.0002.000000T0000Z-200908T0200Z/
Bristol Bay-
347 AM AKDT Mon Sep 7 2020

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKDT THIS
EVENING FROM NAKNEK WEST...

* LOCATION...From Naknek West

* WAVES AND SURF...High surf impacting the coastline will occur
  around the high tides today. South winds of 30 to 45 kts over 
  Bristol Bay will push the water level to 1 to 2 ft above highest
  astronomical tide (grass line) when the high tides occur. 

* TIMING...Through 6 PM today, with the highest water levels 
  around the high tides. High tide will occur early this morning 
  and again this afternoon for the Bristol Bay coast. 

* IMPACTS...High surf and wave action and coastal erosion are 
  possible. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A high surf advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in
the advisory area, producing rip currents and localized beach
erosion.

&&

$$
037 
WHAK42 PAFC 072351
CFWALU

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
351 PM AKDT Mon Sep 7 2020

AKZ155-080200-
/O.CON.PAFC.SU.Y.0002.000000T0000Z-200908T0200Z/
Kuskokwim Delta-
351 PM AKDT Mon Sep 7 2020

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKDT THIS
EVENING FROM KIPNUK EAST...

* LOCATION...From Kipnuk East

* WAVES AND SURF...High surf impacting the coastline will occur
  around the high tides today. South winds of 30 to 35 kts over
  Kuskokwim Bay this evening will push the water level to 1 to 2
  ft above highest astronomical tide (grass line). 

* TIMING...Through 6 PM today. 

* IMPACTS...High surf and wave action and coastal erosion are 
  possible. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A high surf advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in
the advisory area, producing rip currents and localized beach
erosion.

&&

$$

AKZ161-080200-
/O.CON.PAFC.SU.Y.0002.000000T0000Z-200908T0200Z/
Bristol Bay-
351 PM AKDT Mon Sep 7 2020

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AKDT THIS
EVENING FROM NAKNEK WEST...

* LOCATION...From Naknek West

* WAVES AND SURF...High surf impacting the coastline will occur
  around the high tides today. South winds of 30 to 35 kts over
  Bristol Bay this evening will push the water level to 1 to 2 ft
  above highest astronomical tide (grass line). 

* TIMING...Through 6 PM today. 

* IMPACTS...High surf and wave action and coastal erosion are 
  possible. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A high surf advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in
the advisory area, producing rip currents and localized beach
erosion.

&&

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this high surf advisory 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 high surf advisory went out at Sep 5, 4:55 AM AKDT, 11 hours 40 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 5, 4:55 AM AKDT, 11 hours 40 minutes before
Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
455 AM AKDT Sat Sep 5 2020

.ANALYSIS AND UPPER LEVELS...

Snow was detected by a weather instrument at Eureka (which is part
of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough) for several consecutive hours
yesterday. In the past 24 hrs, a number of locations in
Southcentral and Southwest AK had minimum temperatures in the 30s.
Where the skies were clear, the temperatures plummeted. This
morning the upper level ridge axis spanned from Kipnuk to Kodiak.
There is a surface low south of Dutch Harbor and the longwave
trough has dug further south into the North Pacific. The core of
the jet is west of Attu Island with an estimated intensity of 130
knots. Also noteworthy is Super Typhoon Haishen which is near
Japan. A number of tropical systems in the West Pacific Basin
eventually reach Alaska, and Haishen's projected evolution is
being closely monitored.

&&

.MODEL DISCUSSION...

For initialization purposes, compared the surface low position on
ASCAT (Advanced Scatterometer) to the NAM, GFS, Canadian and
ECMWF projections for the same feature. They all hit the bullseye.
Model consensus emerged with the latest run. The major features of
the synoptic pattern are in lock step through 00z Tuesday.

&&

.AVIATION...
PANC...VFR conditions and light winds will persist for the
aerodrome this TAF package. At this point in time, the "Turnagain
Arm Winds" will develop 6z Sunday but are not expected to impact
PANC. These local wind patterns will continue to be monitored.

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA (Days 1 and 2)...
A weakening upper trough exiting Southcentral this morning will be
followed by ridging this afternoon. This will bring drier and
sunnier conditions across the region today. Though there will be
some localized low stratus and fog briefly this morning. A weather
front, associated with a storm force low moving toward the Alaska
Peninsula, will bring rain and windy conditions to Kodiak Island this
evening and spread increasing cloud cover over Southcentral.

The storm force low center weakens tonight and is replaced by yet
another low center which moves into the eastern Bering Sea Sunday
night. This center will bring gale to storm force winds over the
Gulf waters as its front sweeps north Sunday and Sunday night.
Additionally, pressure gradients will increase across the mainland
and give rise to strong gap flows, Turnagain Arm, Portage Valley,
Knik River Valley, and along the Copper River to name a few. Rain
will also spread north with the front Sunday night. With broad
southerly flow setting up aloft Sunday night, areas which would
be typically downsloped west of the Kenai, Chugach, and Talkeetna
Mountains will receive measurable rain.

&&

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

A narrow, negatively tilted ridge is expected to bring one last
day of sunshine and warmer temperatures to the mainland of
Southwest on Saturday. To the south, a compact storm force low is
expected to impact the AKPEN by midday on Saturday. Strong winds
and moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to push north towards
Bristol Bay by Sunday morning. As this system pushes north it's
expected to rapidly break down as it interacts with the terrain
and high pressure to the north. In its wake, a much broader region
of low pressure is expected to move slowly south to north over
the eastern Bering through Monday before making landfall somewhere
in the Y-K Delta region. This will bring widespread rain and
strong winds are expected over Southwest through Tuesday.

&&

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

The Bering Sea and Aleutian Chain is expected to transition into
an active weather pattern again through Tuesday with strong
winds, high seas and rain for much of the region. A broad longwave
trough is centered over the Bering with two low pressure systems
south of the Aleutians Saturday morning. Guidance has been
trending stronger throughout the week on the first, compact storm
force low expected to reach the eastern Aleutians/AKPEN on
Saturday. Storm force winds are possible in the waters north and
south of AKPEN before weakening Saturday evening as the storm
center moves over land. This system is expected to break down and
get absorbed by the much larger, second low pressure complex,
which will move over the central Aleutians Sunday morning.
Widespread Gales are expected Sunday from Bristol Bay, north to
the Y-K Delta and wrapping back around towards the Pribilof
Islands. On Monday, cold air wrapping around the low centered just
east of the Pribilofs should bring another round of Gales from
Cold Bay north into Bristol Bay. By monday evening winds and
waves across the region should subside as the low moves onshore
somewhere near the Yukon Delta.

&&

.MARINE (Days 3 through 5/Monday through Wednesday)...

A well-developed low over the eastern Bering Sea will exit
northward along the coast of western Alaska Monday through
Monday night. Widespread gales will be in place to start the day,
but winds will diminish through the period. Another smaller and
weaker low will enter the western Bering and Aleutians Monday
night into Tuesday. There is some uncertainty in depth and track
of this low. Expect at least small craft winds with some potential
for Gale force winds along the western Aleutians Tuesday through
Wednesday.

For the Gulf of Alaska waters, the effects of the Bering system
will linger through Monday, with a gale force front pushing
onshore along the north Gulf coast and Prince William Sound.
Conditions then look quieter until Wednesday when there is
potential for small craft or gale westerlies across the western
Gulf, though confidence is low.

&&

.LONG TERM FORECAST (Days 4 through 7/Monday through
Thursday)...

An active and generally wet pattern will continue through Wednesday
with a broad low over the Bering Sea moving up into the Norton
Sound by Monday evening. Models are in reasonable agreement that
the bulk of the heaviest precip associated with an occluded front
will end from SW to NE on Monday with showery/breezy conditions
likely lingering in the southwest and interior through at least
Wednesday morning. There is good model agreement that strong
southwest flow will continue towards the AKPEN/Southcentral until
midweek with several rounds of rainfall possible near the Prince
William Sound region. However, 12z guidance suggests the
"atmospheric river" event and associated moisture may be most
impactful closer to the AK Panhandle where the highest QPFs are
currently projected. Some model inconsistencies with this feature
remain, so this may need to be reevaluated for future updates.

The tap should firmly shut off to close out the week as the
longwave trough over the Bering Sea breaks down and as the
prominent Northeast Pacific ridge retreats into the the western
CONUS by Thursday. Much quieter and clearer conditions are fairly
likely region-wide Thursday-Friday as a "fair weather" ridge
develops along the Bering coast. Current solutions do lean towards
another wave developing near the AKPEN by Friday evening, so the
respite in the stormy fall pattern may be short lived.

&&

.AFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PUBLIC...NONE.
MARINE...Storm 130 155 165. Gale 352 131 132 136 137 138 139 412
413 414 150 160 170 172 179 180 181 185.

&&

SYNOPSIS AND MODEL DISCUSSION...PJS
SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA...BC
SOUTHWEST ALASKA/BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS...CJ
MARINE/LONG TERM...MK/AS/SEB

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Sep 5, 3:48 PM AKDT, 47 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
National Weather Service ANCHORAGE AK
348 PM AKDT Sat Sep 5 2020

AKZ101-061200-
Anchorage-
Including the cities of Anchorage, Eagle River, Indian,
and Eklutna
348 PM AKDT Sat Sep 5 2020

...STRONG WINDS SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY MORNING ALONG THE
HILLSIDE, TURNAGAIN ARM, AND HIGHER ELEVATIONS...

Another Fall storm moving into Southcentral will cause strong
winds along the Hillside, Turnagain Arm, and higher elevations. At
times, gusty winds will impact lower elevations as well.

On the Upper Hillside, Turnagain Arm and higher elevations, winds
will rapidly increase during the day Sunday, gusting as strong as
70 mph from Sunday afternoon through late Sunday night. The winds
will diminish the most Monday morning, but may continue to gust
up to 50 mph along Turnagain Arm into Monday afternoon.

For the Lower Hillside, gusts up to 60 mph are possible late
Sunday afternoon into Sunday evening down to 1,500 ft elevation.
The winds will diminish Sunday night, as they turn northeasterly
for much of the overnight hours. Then on Monday morning when the
winds return to the southeast, gusts of 35 to 45 mph are possible
for much of the rest of the day.

For most of the event, Anchorage Bowl, Eagle River, and lower
elevation winds will be relatively light and variable in
direction. A stray gust can't be ruled out. Gusty winds are most
likely Monday morning into Monday afternoon, when gusts of 25 to
35 mph are expected.

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 5, 4:00 PM AKDTGale WarningAFC48 hr
Sep 5, 4:00 PM AKDTStorm WarningAFC11 hr
Sep 6, 3:05 AM AKDTGale WarningAFC25 hr
Sep 6, 3:09 AM AKDTGale WarningAFC49 hr
Sep 6, 3:09 AM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC5 days
Sep 6, 3:10 AM AKDTGale WarningAFC37 hr
Sep 6, 3:10 AM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC37 hr
Sep 6, 3:10 AM AKDTStorm WarningAFC25 hr
Sep 6, 3:57 PM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC48 hr

Nearby

High Surf Advisories in Alaska, 2020Every high surf advisory 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.