Alert archive / Alaska / Gale Warnings in 2022

Gale Warning 12, NWS Anchorage, AK

January 14, 2022

NWS Anchorage, AK issued this gale warning at Jan 14, 2022, 3:54 AM AKST. It was in force for 59 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 14, 2022, 3:54 AM AKST (12:54 UTC)
Expired
Jan 16, 2022, 3:00 PM AKST
In force
59 hr
Issued by
NWS Anchorage, AK

The text

As transmitted.

629 
FZAK62 PAFC 141254
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
354 AM AKST Fri Jan 14 2022

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.

PKZ499-150230-
354 AM AKST Fri Jan 14 2022
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A front associated with a 970 mb North Pacific low Fri afternoon 
moves through the Western and Central Aleutian Chain and into the 
southwestern Bering Sea Fri night which then continues slowly to
the central Bering Sat night.

$$

PKZ411-150230-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
354 AM AKST Fri Jan 14 2022

...GALE WARNING SATURDAY...

.TODAY...N wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 to 10 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 8 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT...NE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT NIGHT...NE wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...NE wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 15 to 25 ft.

$$

PKZ412-150230-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
354 AM AKST Fri Jan 14 2022

.TODAY...N wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 7 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT...NE wind 15 kt increasing to 20 to 30 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas 4 to 8 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT NIGHT...E wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...NE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.

$$

PKZ413-150230-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
354 AM AKST Fri Jan 14 2022

...GALE WARNING SATURDAY...

.TODAY...NW wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 8 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...NW wind up to 15 kt becoming E up to 20 kt after 
midnight. Seas 6 ft.
.SAT...E wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...E wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...NE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.

$$

PKZ414-150230-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
354 AM AKST Fri Jan 14 2022

.TODAY...NW wind 15 kt becoming W in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 6 ft.
.TONIGHT...W wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 1 to 5 ft.
.SAT...W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 1 to 5 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...E wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 6 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.

$$
5 follow-up statements
613 
FZAK62 PAFC 150012
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
312 PM AKST Fri Jan 14 2022

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.

PKZ499-151400-
312 PM AKST Fri Jan 14 2022

.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...A 996 mb low near 59N 164W moves
to 61N 165W at 1006 mb Sat afternoon, then dissipates as it moves 
inland. A strong front approaching the Western Aleutians moves into 
the Western and Central Aleutians Sat afternoon, then drifts north 
over the central and western Bering by Sun afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-151400-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
312 PM AKST Fri Jan 14 2022

...GALE WARNING SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind up to 20 kt increasing to 15 to 25 kt after
midnight. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT...NE wind 20 to 30 kt increasing to 25 to 40 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 9 to 14 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT NIGHT...NE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft. Freezing spray. 
.SUN...NE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 16 to 23 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...NE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 17 to 23 ft.
.MON THROUGH WED...NE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 16 to 24 ft.

$$

PKZ412-151400-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
312 PM AKST Fri Jan 14 2022

.TONIGHT...NE wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT...NE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT NIGHT...NE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Freezing spray.
.SUN...NE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...NE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.
.MON THROUGH WED...NE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.

$$

PKZ413-151400-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
312 PM AKST Fri Jan 14 2022

...GALE WARNING SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind up to 15 kt becoming SE after midnight. Seas
6 ft.
.SAT...E wind 15 to 30 kt increasing to 25 to 40 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 6 to 11 ft. 
.SAT NIGHT...E wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Rain with snow.
.SUN...E wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 11 to 16 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.
.MON...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 15 ft.
.TUE THROUGH WED...NE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.

$$

PKZ414-151400-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
312 PM AKST Fri Jan 14 2022

.TONIGHT...W wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 6 ft.
.SAT...W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 6 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...E wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 6 ft.
.SUN...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 4 to 8 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...SE wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 4 to 8 ft.
.MON THROUGH WED...NE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 4 to 8 ft.

$$
562 
FZAK62 PAFC 151255
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
355 AM AKST Sat Jan 15 2022

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.

PKZ499-160200-
355 AM AKST Sat Jan 15 2022
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 1001 mb low near 61N 166W moves to 61N 165W at 1009 mb Sat 
afternoon, then dissipates as it moves inland. A 969 mb low at 47N
172E meanders to 48N 171E at 971 mb Sun night. Its front moves 
through the Western and Central Aleutians through Sat afternoon, 
then drifts north over the central and western Bering Sun night.

$$

PKZ411-160200-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
355 AM AKST Sat Jan 15 2022

...STORM WARNING TONIGHT...

.TODAY...NE wind 20 to 35 kt increasing to 30 to 45 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 9 to 14 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft. Freezing spray.
.SUN...NE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 16 to 24 ft. Freezing spray. 
.SUN NIGHT...NE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 17 to 24 ft.
.MON THROUGH WED...NE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 16 to 24 ft.

$$

PKZ412-160200-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
355 AM AKST Sat Jan 15 2022

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT AND SUNDAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 7 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft. Freezing spray.
.SUN...NE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft. Freezing spray. 
.SUN NIGHT THROUGH WED...NE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.

$$

PKZ413-160200-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
355 AM AKST Sat Jan 15 2022

...GALE WARNING THROUGH SUNDAY...

.TODAY...E wind 15 to 30 kt increasing to 25 to 40 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...E wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Rain.
.SUN...E wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 17 ft. Rain and snow.
.SUN NIGHT...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.MON THROUGH WED...NE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.

$$

PKZ414-160200-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
355 AM AKST Sat Jan 15 2022

.TODAY...W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 1 to 5 ft.
.TONIGHT...E wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 1 to 6 ft.
.SUN...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft. Freezing spray. 
.SUN NIGHT...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 3 to 8 ft.
.MON THROUGH WED...E wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 8 ft.

$$
299 
FZAK62 PAFC 160021
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
321 PM AKST Sat Jan 15 2022

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.

PKZ499-161500-
321 PM AKST Sat Jan 15 2022

.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...A 964 mb low at 48N 174E loops
into the North Pacific at 974 mb for Mon afternoon. Its front moves
across the Southern Bering through Mon afternoon. High pressure 
remains over the Northern Bering through Mon afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-161500-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
321 PM AKST Sat Jan 15 2022

...STORM WARNING THROUGH SUNDAY...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft. Freezing spray.
.SUN...NE wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 16 to 25 ft. Freezing spray. 
.SUN NIGHT...NE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 16 to 24 ft. Freezing spray. 
.MON...NE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 15 to 23 ft.
.MON NIGHT...NE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 15 to 23 ft.
.TUE THROUGH THU...NE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft.

$$

PKZ412-161500-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
321 PM AKST Sat Jan 15 2022

...GALE WARNING THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...E wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Freezing spray.
.SUN...E wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Freezing spray. 
.SUN NIGHT...E wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 17 ft. Freezing spray.
.MON...E wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.
.MON NIGHT...E wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.
.TUE THROUGH THU...NE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.

$$

PKZ413-161500-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
321 PM AKST Sat Jan 15 2022

...GALE WARNING THROUGH SUNDAY...

.TONIGHT...E wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Rain.
.SUN...E wind 25 to 40 kt diminishing to 15 to 30 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 10 to 18 ft. Rain and snow.
.SUN NIGHT...E wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 12 ft.
.MON...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.MON NIGHT...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 11 ft.
.TUE THROUGH THU...NE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.

$$

PKZ414-161500-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
321 PM AKST Sat Jan 15 2022

.TONIGHT...E wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 6 ft.
.SUN...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft. 
.SUN NIGHT...E wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.
.MON...E wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.
.MON NIGHT...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 3 to 7 ft.
.TUE THROUGH THU...NE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 3 to 8 ft.

$$
954 
FZAK62 PAFC 161247
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
347 AM AKST Sun Jan 16 2022

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.

PKZ499-170230-
347 AM AKST Sun Jan 16 2022
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 965 mb low at 49N 173E meanders to 48N 171E at 976 mb Mon
evening. Its front continues moving from the southern Bering to
the northern Bering through Mon night. Another 981 mb North 
Pacific low Sun night moves to 48N 179W at 973 mb Mon night while 
absorbing the aforementioned 976 mb.

$$

PKZ411-170230-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
347 AM AKST Sun Jan 16 2022

...STORM WARNING TODAY...
...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING TONIGHT...

.TODAY...NE wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 19 to 30 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 15 to 25 ft.
Heavy freezing spray N of 58N.
.MON...NE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 15 to 25 ft. Freezing spray.
.MON NIGHT...NE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft.
.TUE THROUGH WED...NE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 14 to 21 ft.
.THU...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 10 to 15 ft.

$$

PKZ412-170230-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
347 AM AKST Sun Jan 16 2022

...GALE WARNING THROUGH MONDAY...
...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING TONIGHT...

.TODAY...NE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...E wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.
Heavy freezing spray N of 58N.
.MON...E wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 16 ft. Freezing spray.
.MON NIGHT...E wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 16 ft.
.TUE THROUGH THU...N wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.

$$

PKZ413-170230-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
347 AM AKST Sun Jan 16 2022

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...E wind 25 to 40 kt diminishing to 15 to 30 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 10 to 18 ft. Rain and snow.
.TONIGHT...E wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 13 ft.
.MON...E wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 8 to 12 ft.
.MON NIGHT...E wind up to 20 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.TUE THROUGH THU...NE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.

$$

PKZ414-170230-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
347 AM AKST Sun Jan 16 2022

...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.
Heavy freezing spray N of 57N.
.TONIGHT AND MON...E wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 3 to 8 ft.
Freezing spray.
.MON NIGHT...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 3 to 8 ft.
.TUE THROUGH THU...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 3 to 8 ft.

$$
872 
FZAK62 PAFC 170000
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
300 PM AKST Sun Jan 16 2022

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.

PKZ499-171445-
300 PM AKST Sun Jan 16 2022
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 968 mb low near 48N 173E moves into the North Pacific and 
dissipates Tue afternoon. Its front extends over the southern Bering
through Tue afternoon. A second 989 mb North Pacific low moves to 
50N 173E at 969 mb Tue afternoon. Its front approaches the Aleutians
Tue afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-171445-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
300 PM AKST Sun Jan 16 2022

...GALE WARNING THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT...
...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING MONDAY...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 15 to 23 ft. Freezing spray N of
57N. Snow with rain S of 56N.
.MON...NE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 15 to 23 ft. Heavy freezing
spray N of 57N. Snow and rain S of 56N.
.MON NIGHT...E wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft. Freezing spray N
of 58N. Snow with rain S of 56N.
.TUE...NE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 13 to 20 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...E wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 14 to 20 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...NE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft.
.FRI...N wind 25 kt. Seas 9 ft.

$$

PKZ412-171445-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
300 PM AKST Sun Jan 16 2022

...GALE WARNING THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...E wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft. Freezing spray N of
58N. Snow with rain S of 57N.
.MON...E wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 17 ft. Freezing spray N of 58N.
Snow with rain S of 57N.
.MON NIGHT...E wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft. Freezing spray N of
58N. Snow.
.TUE...E wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...NE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.WED THROUGH FRI...N wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.

$$

PKZ413-171445-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
300 PM AKST Sun Jan 16 2022

.TONIGHT...E wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 13 ft. Rain showers.
.MON...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 13 ft. Rain.
.MON NIGHT...SE wind 15 kt becoming E after midnight. Seas 7 to
11 ft.
.TUE...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...E wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.WED THROUGH FRI...N wind 30 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.

$$

PKZ414-171445-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
300 PM AKST Sun Jan 16 2022

.TONIGHT...E wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 3 to 8 ft. Snow and rain.
.MON...E wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 8 ft. Rain.
.MON NIGHT...E wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 7 ft. Snow and rain.
.TUE...E wind 20 kt. Seas 3 to 6 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...NE wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 6 ft.
.WED THROUGH FRI...N wind 15 to 30 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 Jan 13, 4:41 PM AKST, 11 hours 13 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 13, 4:41 PM AKST, 11 hours 13 minutes before
Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
441 PM AKST Thu Jan 13 2022

.ANALYSIS AND UPPER LEVELS...

A 965 mb surface low situated south of the AKPen continues to lift
northeast toward Kodiak Island. This low is tapping into a deep
moisture feed originating near the Hawaiian Islands, where total
precipitable water values still exceed 150% or more of normal.
This stream of moisture is lifting across the eastern Gulf then
bending northwestward into the Southcentral coast, aided by a
strong southeasterly flow out ahead of front draped across the
central Gulf. The core of the moisture and strong southeasterly
winds is aimed at the eastern Kenai Peninsula and Western Prince
William Sound. Snow that fell this morning for locations like
Seward and Portage have since changed over to rain this afternoon.
Snow has also changed to rain for Kodiak City with the passage of
the front. Gusty southeasterly gap winds also continue this
afternoon, mainly through Turnagain Arm, where occasional gusts
over 60 mph have been reported.

The vast majority of the precipitation is confined to the coast
and along the upslope side of the Kenai and Chugach Ranges due to
the strong southeasterly, cross-barrier flow. However, as weak
upper-level waves lifts onshore ahead of the surface front,
pockets of precipitation, flurries mainly, are popping up from
Kenai and Soldotna north to Anchorage. With the low southeast of
Cook Inlet, locations in the Mat-Su Valleys south along Cook Inlet
have also seen an increase in northerly winds.

Farther west, precipitation and gusty winds are also occurring
around Bristol Bay this afternoon. Light snow has been falling
from Koliganek to Dillingham with more of a wintry mix from Port
Heiden south across the AKPen.

For the Bering and Aleutians, a northerly to northeasterly flow
persists, with occasional snow showers due to instability
generated from a cold airmass moving over warmer waters south of
the ice edge.
&&

.MODEL DISCUSSION...

Model guidance remains in good agreement out through Saturday
morning before beginning to diverge. Guidance remains consistent
with the evolution of the upper level features and surface
features with the current storm system moving northward through
the Gulf and into Southcentral through Friday. It is the next
shortwave originating over the Bering on Friday where the
discrepancies arise. While all show this feature gaining strength
and consolidating into an upper-level low as it moves east over
Southwest Alaska, it is how it evolves as it moves over
Southcentral or Gulf of Alaska by Saturday. The NAM and GEM have a
more northerly track with a surface low developing just off the
eastern Kenai Peninsula coast while the GFS has a more southerly
track with a surface low spinning up closer to Middleton Island.
The former would favor snow across the southern half of
Southcentral, including locations from Kenai to Palmer. The latter
would keep the bulk of the precipitation closer to the coast and
mainly from Prince William Sound east. Thus, forecast confidence
with this next potential system is below average.

Model guidance also remains in good agreement on another storm
force low moving into the Aleutian Island Chain/Bering Sea Friday
evening and through the weekend.
&&

.AVIATION...

PANC...VFR conditions are mostly expected throughout the TAF
package. However, occasional gusty northerly winds are expected
through late afternoon before diminishing through the evening and
overnight hours. Though, expect southeasterly winds around 2000 ft
causing wind shear over the terminal. Occasional flurries and/or
light snow with ceilings to MVFR are also possible through early
this evening. A southeasterly Turnagain Arm wind is expected to
bend over the terminal by mid-morning Friday as this the surface
low currently near Kodiak Island moves up Cook Inlet. Any
precipitation that tracks with the low could fall in the form of
rain as temperatures climb above freezing with the southeasterly
wind. Any rain that does fall, however, would be light in
intensity and short in duration.

&&

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

A beautifully wrapped up low is centered just south of Kodiak
Island and continues to lift northward this afternoon. The leading
frontal boundary has pushed inland over Southcentral, bringing
gusty easterly winds to the northern Gulf coast and rain to coastal
locations. Meanwhile, snow continues to fall at higher elevations.
As this low continues to track northward, gusty southeasterly
winds will continue through Turnagain Arm. Northerly winds are
expected to hold across the Cook Inlet until late this evening,
shielding the Anchorage Bowl from Turnagain Arm winds however by
Friday morning, winds are expected to bend into Anchorage.
Meanwhile higher elevations such as the Anchorage Hillside will
see gusty southeasterly winds beginning to increase as early as
this evening. As a result of the southeasterly flow, the western
Kenai Peninsula, Anchorage Bowl, and southern Mat-Su Valleys will
be downsloped and won't see much precipitation for Friday.

As the upper level trough associated with this low lifts inland
on Friday, precipitation will taper and winds will diminish by the
afternoon. Then all attention shifts to a weak surface low
spinning up over the northern Gulf tracking from east to west
Friday night into Prince William Sound. This surface low, in
combination with an approaching upper level low over Southwest
Alaska, has the potential to bring snow to much of Southcentral
on Saturday. Confidence remains low with this next system, as
model solutions struggle to resolve several key features and
timing, however the main ingredients are slowly coming together.
Please stay tuned as we continue to monitor the development of
this system.
&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHWEST ALASKA (Day 1 through 3: Tonight
through Sun)...

Precipitation has arrived for the Bristol Bay area with
temperatures already in the 30s. Iliamna has remained dry due to
downsloping through this afternoon. King Salmon had a brief snow
shower but also generally remained dry. There is still a chance
for precipitation to fill for those areas. Additionally, while the
majority of precipitation around the area has fallen as snow, the
possibility for a wintry mix including freezing rain cannot be
completely ruled out. High resolution models have a few hours
tonight that increase a warm nose temperature in the mid to lower
levels, including a wet bulb temperature just above freezing. By
Friday morning, enough cold air will return with generally
northerly flow to turn any precipitation to snow.

The low over the Southwest will stretch and elongate over the
entire region as the next low over the Aleutians presses east.
Enough upslope forcing will allow some snow showers to linger
throughout the entire southwest as the flow transitions to
northerly and northwesterly on Friday into Saturday, especially
along the Aleutian and Alaska Range.

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS (Day 1 through 3:
Tonight through Sun)...

Broad area of northerly flow through the Bering Sea to Central
and Eastern Aleutians tonight. Heavy freezing spray over the
Northern Bering and near the ice edge will continue.

A low over Southwest Alaska will elongate and stretch into the
Bering Sea as a North Pacific low presses north and east through
the short term. That said, lingering snow showers will remain
possible. After midnight Friday into Saturday, easterly winds will
increase to storm force potential as the low presses into the
Western and Central Aleutians by Saturday afternoon. Precipitation
chances will increase with the passage of the front and any snow
will quickly transition to rain. The front appears to reach the
AKPen by Sunday afternoon with southerly flow.

&&

.Marine (Days 3 through 5: Sunday through Tuesday)...

Gulf of Alaska: A weak area of high pressure will maintain winds
less than 35 kts and seas less than 20 ft for the Day 3 through 5
period.

Bering Sea: A broad area of low pressure settling across the
western Aleutians to the North Pacific will remain stationary
through early next week. Small, embedded disturbances circulating
around the broad low will bring gale force winds and seas above 20
ft at times for south of the Aleutians and much of the Bering Sea
through Tuesday.

.Long Term Discussion (Days 4 through 7: Monday through Thursday)...

Overall, the latest operational model runs are in decent agreement
with the evolution and progression of the synoptic scale features
for early next week but diverge in the specific details towards
the end of the period. For Southcentral, high pressure building
over the Gulf of Alaska will leave a brief period of dry weather
from Monday through Wednesday. The rest of the mainland, including
coastal and interior Southwest, is expected to be relatively dry
with near to below normal temperatures as the ridge axis extends
north of the Alaska Peninsula to the eastern Bering Sea. Beginning
on Wednesday, models seem to key on a frontal boundary extending
from the center of a North Pacific low, bringing precipitation and
wind from Kodiak Island northward to the southern mainland. If
this scenario were to materialize, there is a potential that a
barrier jet will develop along the northern Gulf coast from Prince
William Sound to the Copper River Delta area. Where the
uncertainty emerges is the track, position, and timing of the low
and front that still needs to be ironed out with subsequent model
runs. Out west, a broad trough will settle across the western
Aleutians to the North Pacific. Weak, embedded shortwaves and
surface lows moving upstream of the trough will bring a wintry mix
of rain/snow and gusty winds at times along the southern portion
of the Aleutians into the Bering Sea. Depending on the track and
positions of these shortwaves, this could also bring widespread
precipitation to the eastern Aleutians and the southwestern
mainland later next week.

&&
.AFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PUBLIC...Winter Storm Warning 125.
		 Winter Weather Advisory 141.
MARINE...Gale 119 125 131 132 177 178.
		 Heavy Freezing Spray 185.
FIRE WEATHER...NONE.

&&

SYNOPSIS AND MODEL DISCUSSION...TM
SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA...KO
SOUTHWEST ALASKA/BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS...VR
MARINE/LONG TERM...MF

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 13, 3:13 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC61 hr
Jan 13, 3:13 PM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC6 days
Jan 13, 3:23 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC13 hr
Jan 13, 3:23 PM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC13 hr
Jan 14, 3:56 AM AKSTGale WarningAFC48 hr
Jan 14, 3:56 AM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC4 days
Jan 14, 3:56 AM AKSTStorm WarningAFC48 hr
Jan 14, 4:01 AM AKSTBrisk Wind AdvisoryAFC12 hr
Jan 14, 4:01 AM AKSTGale WarningAFC12 hr
Jan 14, 4:01 AM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC5 days

Nearby

Gale Warnings in Alaska, 2022Every gale warning in 2022

Sources

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