Alert archive / Alaska / Gale Warnings in 2022

Gale Warning 678, NWS Anchorage, AK

November 20, 2022

NWS Anchorage, AK issued this gale warning at Nov 20, 2022, 3:27 AM AKST. It was in force for 60 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
Nov 20, 2022, 3:27 AM AKST (12:27 UTC)
Expired
Nov 22, 2022, 3:41 PM AKST
In force
60 hr
Issued by
NWS Anchorage, AK

The text

As transmitted.

029 
FZAK62 PAFC 201227
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
327 AM AKST Sun Nov 20 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.

PKZ499-210230-
327 AM AKST Sun Nov 20 2022
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 983 mb low near 51N 165W tracks along the Aleutians to 56N 157W
at 985 mb Mon afternoon. Its front will sweep across the region.

$$

PKZ411-210230-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
327 AM AKST Sun Nov 20 2022

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...N wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 15 to 23 ft.
.TONIGHT...NW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft. Freezing spray.
.MON...NW wind 15 to 30 kt becoming 20 kt in the afternoon. Seas
8 to 13 ft. Freezing spray.
.MON NIGHT...W wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 10 ft.
.TUE...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft.
.WED...SW wind 30 to 40 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft.
.THU...W wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 14 to 19 ft.

$$

PKZ412-210230-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
327 AM AKST Sun Nov 20 2022

...GALE WARNING THROUGH MONDAY...

.TODAY...N wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft. Rain.
.TONIGHT...N wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft. Freezing spray.
Rain showers.
.MON...NW wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 14 to 19 ft. Freezing spray.
.MON NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.
.TUE...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.WED...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.
.THU...SW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 13 to 18 ft.

$$

PKZ413-210230-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
327 AM AKST Sun Nov 20 2022

...STORM WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...N wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft. Rain.
.TONIGHT...N wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 15 to 23 ft. Rain showers.
.MON...NW wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft.
.MON NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.
.TUE...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 16 ft.
.WED...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft.
.THU...SW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 15 to 18 ft.

$$

PKZ414-210230-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
327 AM AKST Sun Nov 20 2022

...GALE WARNING MONDAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 10 to 20 kt becoming N 15 to 30 kt after
midnight. Seas 5 to 10 ft. Rain and snow.
.MON...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Rain showers and snow
showers.
.MON NIGHT...NW wind 35 kt. Seas 13 to 19 ft.
.TUE...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft.

$$
5 follow-up statements
279 
FZAK62 PAFC 210011
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
311 PM AKST Sun Nov 20 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.

PKZ499-211400-
311 PM AKST Sun Nov 20 2022
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 982 mb low at 54N 161W moves into the Gulf Monday night. A front
approaches the western Bering Tuesday afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-211400-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
311 PM AKST Sun Nov 20 2022

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 25 to 40 kt diminishing to 20 to 30 kt after
midnight. Seas 11 to 19 ft. Freezing spray.
.MON...NW wind 15 to 30 kt becoming W in the afternoon. Seas 8 to
13 ft. Freezing spray.
.MON NIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Rain showers and
snow showers.
.TUE...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...SW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.
.WED...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 15 to 23 ft.
.THU...W wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 14 to 19 ft.
.FRI...S wind up to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.

$$

PKZ412-211400-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
311 PM AKST Sun Nov 20 2022

...GALE WARNING THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft. Freezing spray.
.MON...NW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 12 to 19 ft. Freezing spray.
.MON NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE...NW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 10 ft.
.WED...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft.
.THU...SW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 13 to 18 ft.
.FRI...W wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.

$$

PKZ413-211400-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
311 PM AKST Sun Nov 20 2022

...GALE WARNING THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 15 to 23 ft. Rain.
.MON...NW wind 30 to 40 kt diminishing to 20 to 35 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 13 to 21 ft.
.MON NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Rain showers.
.TUE...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 13 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 13 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...SW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft.
.FRI...W wind up to 20 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.

$$

PKZ414-211400-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
311 PM AKST Sun Nov 20 2022

...GALE WARNING THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 10 to 25 kt increasing to 25 to 40 kt after
midnight. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Rain and snow.
.MON...NW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft. Rain.
.MON NIGHT...NW wind 30 to 40 kt. Seas 16 to 20 ft. Freezing
spray. Snow.
.TUE...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 11 to 18 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 13 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.
.FRI...W wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.

$$
926 
FZAK62 PAFC 211250
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
350 AM AKST Mon Nov 21 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.

PKZ499-220145-
350 AM AKST Mon Nov 21 2022
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 983 mb low at 55N 159W moves into the Gulf Monday night. A front 
approaches the western Bering Tuesday afternoon. Wednesday morning a 
993 mb low will be at 61N 173E.

$$

PKZ411-220145-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
350 AM AKST Mon Nov 21 2022

.TODAY...NW wind 15 to 30 kt becoming W in the afternoon. Seas 8
to 13 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Rain showers.
.TUE...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.  Rain and snow.
.TUE NIGHT...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.
.FRI...E wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.

$$

PKZ412-220145-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
350 AM AKST Mon Nov 21 2022

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 11 to 18 ft. Freezing spray.
Snow showers.
.TONIGHT...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 16 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE...NW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE NIGHT...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 10 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.
.FRI...N wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.

$$

PKZ413-220145-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
350 AM AKST Mon Nov 21 2022

...GALE WARNING TODAY AND TUESDAY...

.TODAY...NW wind 30 to 40 kt diminishing to 20 to 30 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 12 to 20 ft.
.TONIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 16 ft.  and rain showers.
.TUE...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 14 ft. Rain showers.
.TUE NIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 13 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.

$$

PKZ414-220145-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
350 AM AKST Mon Nov 21 2022

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TUESDAY...

.TODAY...NW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft. Snow and rain.
.TONIGHT...NW wind 30 to 40 kt. Seas 15 to 18 ft. Freezing spray.
Snow.
.TUE...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 17 ft. Freezing spray. Snow
showers.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 13 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.
.FRI...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 14 ft.

$$
814 
FZAK62 PAFC 220002
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
302 PM AKST Mon Nov 21 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.

PKZ499-221445-
302 PM AKST Mon Nov 21 2022
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 983 mb low at 55N 159W moves into the Gulf Monday night. A 
front approaches the western Bering Tuesday afternoon. A 993 mb 
low will track to 61N 173E for Wednesday afternoon. High pressure 
will track across the western Bering Monday afternoon and stretch 
into the central Bering for Wednesday afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-221445-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
302 PM AKST Mon Nov 21 2022

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Rain showers and 
snow.
.TUE...SW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Snow.
.TUE NIGHT...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.
.WED...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 15 to 19 ft.
.WED NIGHT...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 14 to 20 ft.
.THU...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft.
.FRI...E wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.
.SAT...E wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 17 to 24 ft.

$$

PKZ412-221445-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
302 PM AKST Mon Nov 21 2022

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE NIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 12 ft. Freezing spray.
.WED...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft.
.WED NIGHT...W wind 30 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft.
.THU...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 15 to 20 ft.
.FRI...N wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.SAT...E wind 30 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.

$$

PKZ413-221445-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
302 PM AKST Mon Nov 21 2022

...GALE WARNING TUESDAY...

.TONIGHT...W wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 16 ft.
.TUE...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 14 ft. Rain showers.
.TUE NIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.WED...SW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 17 ft.
.WED NIGHT...W wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 12 to 15 ft.
.THU...W wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 18 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.SAT...E wind 35 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.

$$

PKZ414-221445-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
302 PM AKST Mon Nov 21 2022

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 40 kt. Seas 18 ft. Freezing spray. Snow
showers.
.TUE...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 12 to 18 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 11 to 16 ft. Freezing
spray.
.WED...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.WED NIGHT...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.THU...W wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft.
.FRI...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 14 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 9 ft.

$$
071 
FZAK62 PAFC 221302
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
402 AM AKST Tue Nov 22 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.

PKZ499-230200-
402 AM AKST Tue Nov 22 2022
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

High pressure will track across the western Bering Tuesday morning
and expand into the central Bering for Wednesday afternoon. A 
front approaches the western Bering Tuesday afternoon. A 993 mb 
low will track to 61N 173E for Wednesday afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-230200-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
402 AM AKST Tue Nov 22 2022

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY...

.TODAY...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Widespread rain
showers.
.TONIGHT...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft. Rain.
.WED...SW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 15 to 19 ft. Rain.
.WED NIGHT...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.
.THU...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...SE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft.

$$

PKZ412-230200-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
402 AM AKST Tue Nov 22 2022

.TODAY...NW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...W wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 10 ft. Freezing spray.
.WED...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft. Rain.
.WED NIGHT...W wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft.
.THU...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 13 to 20 ft.
.FRI...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.
.SAT...SE wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.

$$

PKZ413-230200-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
402 AM AKST Tue Nov 22 2022

...GALE WARNING TODAY AND WEDNESDAY...

.TODAY...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 14 ft. Widespread rain and
snow showers.
.TONIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 12 ft.
.WED...SW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 17 ft.
.WED NIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 12 to 17 ft.
.THU...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 18 ft.
.FRI...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.SAT...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 11 to 17 ft.

$$

PKZ414-230200-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
402 AM AKST Tue Nov 22 2022

...GALE WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

.TODAY...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 11 to 16 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...NW wind 30 kt becoming 20 to 35 kt after midnight. Seas
10 to 14 ft. Freezing spray. Snow showers.
.WED...NW wind 20 to 35 kt becoming W 10 to 25 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.WED NIGHT...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.
.SAT...SE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.

$$
017 
FZAK62 PAFC 230041
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
341 PM AKST Tue Nov 22 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.

PKZ499-231345-
341 PM AKST Tue Nov 22 2022
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 980 mb Central Kamchatka low moves to 62N 177W at 988 mb for 
Thu afternoon. Its front moves into the Central Bering by Thu 
afternoon. A 984 mb North Pacific low forms on the front and moves
to 53N 169W at 994 mb for Thu afternoon. 

$$

PKZ411-231345-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
341 PM AKST Tue Nov 22 2022

...GALE WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

.TONIGHT...SW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft. Widespread rain
showers.
.WED...SW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 14 to 18 ft.
.WED NIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 16 ft.
.THU...W wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 17 ft.
.THU NIGHT...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 12 to 17 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...S wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 16 ft.

$$

PKZ412-231345-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
341 PM AKST Tue Nov 22 2022

.TONIGHT...W wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 8 ft. Freezing spray N of 58 N. 
Widespread rain and snow showers.
.WED...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft. Widespread rain
showers.
.WED NIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 16 ft.
.THU...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 16 ft.
.THU NIGHT...W wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 12 to 19 ft.
.FRI...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.
.SAT...SE wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.
.SUN...SW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.

$$

PKZ413-231345-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
341 PM AKST Tue Nov 22 2022

.TONIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.WED...SW wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Widespread rain
showers.
.WED NIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 17 ft. Widespread rain
showers.
.THU...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 14 ft.
.THU NIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 16 ft.
.FRI...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.SAT...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 11 to 17 ft.
.SUN...SW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.

$$

PKZ414-231345-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
341 PM AKST Tue Nov 22 2022

.TONIGHT...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 13 ft. Freezing spray.
.WED...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.WED NIGHT...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Rain showers.
.THU...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 15 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 15 ft.
.FRI...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.
.SAT...SE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.SUN...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 11 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 Nov 19, 5:37 PM AKST, 9 hours 50 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Nov 19, 5:37 PM AKST, 9 hours 50 minutes before
Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
537 PM AKST Sat Nov 19 2022

.ANALYSIS AND UPPER LEVELS...

The anomalous ridging continues to stretch from western Canada
into the interior of Alaska and then bends westward across
Southwest Alaska and the Bering Sea. This ridge is bringing mostly
clear and dry conditions however some high clouds are invading
parts of the ridge associated with a low pressure system over the
Gulf. The low in the Gulf continues to move northwest towards the
Kenai Peninsula. Radar is showing light to occasionally moderate
rain from Prince William Sound towards the eastern Kenai
Peninsula. Rain has also been observed at Kodiak City. This is
also producing stronger winds with Gales across the northern Gulf
and winds of 20 to 30 knots across Kodiak Island. Farther west a
low pressure system is spinning south of the central Aleutians as
it heads east. Around this low are a couple of shortwaves on the
southern side which will eventually move towards the Gulf by
Sunday and Monday. The low south of the Aleutians is bringing
areas of rain across the Aleutians and southern AKPen and winds
generally 25 knots or less across the Aleutian chain. Temperatures
vary widely across Southcentral with 40s near the Gulf coast and
20s inland towards Anchorage and the MATSU valleys. With the
strong inversion still over the area the hillsides and mountains
are warmer generally in the mid to upper 30s. The coldest area is
the Copper River Basin with single digits to below zero this
morning. Temperatures across Southwest Alaska are still above
normal in the 30s with 20s across the Kuskokwim Delta. Across the
Aleutians temperatures are in the 40s with upper 30s across the
AKPen.

&&

.MODEL DISCUSSION...

Models are in good agreement with the major synoptic features
especially through Sunday. However on Monday and Tuesday a couple
of shortwaves with surface fronts and/or lows will rotate into
the Gulf but models continue to disagree on the timing and
strength of these features. The big forecast challenge through
Sunday is precipitation types with freezing rain most likely
across the western Kenai Peninsula and Anchorage bowl with most
soundings indicating this precip type. Elsewhere the challenge
will be rain,snow or sleet. Whatever precip type that does fall in
these areas will generally be a tenth of an inch or less of liquid
equivalent.

&&

.AVIATION...

PANC...VFR conditions and light winds will prevail through the
TAF package. The one major concern is there is a threat of
freezing rain at the terminal by mid-day through the evening
hours (21-06Z) on Sunday, with the best chances during the
afternoon. Any accumulations of freezing rain are expected to be
less than a tenth of an inch.

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

A broad longwave trough with multiple embedded shortwaves will
slowly move itself over Southcentral through the short term
period. The first shortwave and attendant surface low is currently
south of Middleton Island and will move slowly towards the
Southern Kenai Peninsula over the next 24-hours before lifting
inland. This will continue rain over coastal areas with mountain
snow above ~2500 ft. As the shortwave lifts north, the end of
downslope flow and supportive upper level dynamics/shortwaves
should lead to precipitation in the afternoon to evening hours
from the Western Kenai Peninsula north through Anchorage and into
the Mat- Su Valleys. Precipitation type is tricky with this
system due to the influence of the strong ridge and resultant
inversion embedded over the area. Surface temperatures hovering
between upper 20s and low to mid-30s also make for a tricky
forecast. With this, and no meaningful cold air advection in sight
until Monday and Tuesday, freezing rain is likely to develop from
the Western Kenai Peninsula north through the Anchorage Bowl and
into the southern Mat-Su Valleys. Luckily, accumulation will only
range from a trace to less than one tenth inch across these areas.
There is a possibility of rain in these areas as well during peak
heating, but as we move into the overnight hours and temperatures
fall back below freezing, freezing rain may re-develop or wet
roadways will re-freeze. Please see the associated Winter Weather
Advisories for more details.

As we move into Monday and Tuesday temperatures aloft will slowly
cool down as cold air wraps in from the west. However, coastal
areas are likely to see rain continue through Tuesday with steady
onshore flow and warmer air near the surface. There is some
uncertainty in where a series of meso-lows will develop and move
through Tuesday, but rain and mountain snow will likely persist
through midweek, with slight chances for interior areas.

&&

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

An upper-level ridge continues breaking down over the northern
Mainland while a North Pacific low approaches from the west. The
low will reach the western tip of the Alaska Peninsula by Sunday
night and then continue east, exiting into the western Gulf by
Tuesday morning. Chances for rain along the Alaska Peninsula
increase early Sunday as a result of southerly flow along the
front of the low. Though showery in nature, increased chances for
precipitation spread north across the Southwest coast and
Mainland during the rest of the day on Sunday. Precipitation type
for the Bristol Bay area will likely be a wintry mix while inland
locations should see mostly snow. In general, precipitation
amounts for the next few days are expected to be relatively minimal.
An amplified, upper trough will reach the Alaska Peninsula tip on
Tuesday afternoon and then track east over Bristol Bay and
coastal Southwest by the end of Tuesday. Northerly small craft
winds will develop across the Southwest coast and Alaska Peninsula
while colder Arctic air is ushered into the domain. Precipitation
will become more widespread by Tuesday afternoon, and snow is
expected to become the main precipitation type as a result of the
colder airmass in place.

&&

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

A North Pacific low is spinning south of the Central Aleutians
and will track to the western tip of the Alaska Peninsula by
Sunday night. The low continues east and will exit into the
western Gulf by Tuesday morning. An upper-level trough currently
over eastern Russia will dig south into the western Bering by
Sunday night. The trough will amplify as it tracks to the eastern
Bering by Tuesday morning and then into Southwest by the end of
Tuesday. Deep northerly flow along the backside of the low and
with the upper trough will usher cold Arctic air across the Bering
and Aleutians through most of Tuesday. Northerly winds along the
western periphery of the low will be widespread gales with swaths
of storm-force possible over the central Bering on Sunday. The
colder air, strongest winds, and bulk of precipitation will
gradually move from the western Bering east as the system tracks
toward the Mainland for the next few days. The combination of
strong winds, colder air temperatures, and low sea surface
temperatures means that freezing spray is likely in the northern
Bering Sea for Monday and Tuesday. A transient upper ridge will
build in the wake of the trough and precede the next system of
interest. The warm front and cold front extending from a Kamchatka
low is advertised to enter the western Bering on Tuesday morning
and then Wednesday morning, respectively. General southerly flow
with this system will return warmer temperatures to the Bering and
Aleutians by the end of Tuesday.

&&

.LONG TERM FORECAST (Days 4 through 7: Wednesday through Saturday)

There is good agreement on a pattern change in the long term
forecast period, with a shift to colder weather likely the latter
half of this week as broad longwave ridging pushes east of the
state. On Wednesday, a decaying low in the northern Gulf of Alaska
in the vicinity of Prince William Sound will support upslope
showers along the coastal mountains through the evening hours.
Meanwhile, a strong shortwave trough stretching across western
Alaska helps to advect a cold air mass over Southwest Alaska
eastward, leading to colder temperatures and supporting the
eastward progression of a cold front into Southcentral Alaska. As
a result, Southcentral Alaska can expect snow showers inland from
the coast on Wednesday as the front pushes east and weakens. The
cold air mass also streams into the North Pacific across the
Aleutian Range. In combination with a strong low in the eastern
Gulf of Alaska, this promotes gusty winds to gale force out of
bays and passes on the south side of the Alaska Peninsula and
within the western Gulf of Alaska. The development of offshore
flow in response to low pressure in the Gulf also shuts off
precipitation along the north Gulf coastal mountains Wednesday
night.

The next impactful weather system for southern Alaska also exits
far eastern Russia into the northern Bering Sea on Wednesday. The
large low pushes eastward with a potentially storm-force front
moving through the Aleutian Islands. Wednesday night, the front,
weaker further north, reaches the Southwest coast. While there is
some uncertainty, this looks to bring mostly snow to the region
with a sufficiently cold air mass already in place. Beyond this
point, model guidance diverges significantly. GFS and GEM agree
that the bulk of the upper-level energy associated with the low
dive south across the eastern Bering Sea with the front decaying
quickly as it moves inland. The EC presents an alternate
solution, whereby the low remains consolidated much further north
in the Bering Strait and the front pushes eastward, surviving to
bring another round of snow to Southcentral by Friday. The
question will be how far west along the Aleutian Chain the cold,
northerly flow on the back side of the low will begin to surge
across. The further west solutions of the GFS/GEM bring gale force
northwesterly winds across the central/eastern Aleutians on
Thursday, while the more northerly track of the EC spares the
islands and initiates winds out of gaps in the Alaska Peninsula on
Friday. This will also impact where widespread showers will result
if cold air advects over the relatively warm waters of the
central/eastern Bering Sea, which would also affect parts of the
Aleutian Chain and the Pribilof Islands.

By Friday, there is good agreement that low pressure will be
present in the Gulf of Alaska, which will help to draw in and
reinforce colder air over southern mainland Alaska while enhancing
precipitation chances along the north Gulf coast. Gap winds also
shift south of the Alaska Peninsula and into the western Gulf as a
result. At the same time, the next system begins to track into
the far western Bering and pushes its front northward, bringing
warmer conditions and rain to the western/central Bering Sea and
Aleutians through Saturday.

&&

.AFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PUBLIC...Winter Weather Advisory 101 111 121 145.
MARINE...Storm Warning 414.
		 Gale Warning 119 120 131 175-178 185 411 412.
FIRE WEATHER...NONE.

&&

SYNOPSIS AND MODEL DISCUSSION...RC
SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA...CJ
SOUTHWEST ALASKA/BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS...AF
LONG TERM...CQ

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Nov 20, 1:51 AM AKST, 1 hour 36 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
National Weather Service ANCHORAGE AK
151 AM AKST Sun Nov 20 2022

AKZ161-210100-
Bristol Bay-
Including the cities of King Salmon, Dillingham, Naknek,
and Pilot Point
151 AM AKST Sun Nov 20 2022

...FREEZING RAIN POSSIBLE TODAY THROUGH TONIGHT...

Dillingham and inland areas up to Koliganek and New Stuyahok may
see freezing rain/drizzle today into tonight. Any ice
accumulations that occur are expected to be minimal with a
transition to periods of plain rain and wintry mix.

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Nov 19, 3:07 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC37 hr
Nov 19, 3:07 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC61 hr
Nov 19, 3:07 PM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC24 hr
Nov 19, 3:07 PM AKSTStorm WarningAFC24 hr
Nov 19, 4:39 PM AKSTWinter Weather AdvisoryAFC43 hr
Nov 20, 3:28 AM AKSTGale WarningAFC48 hr
Nov 20, 3:28 AM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC12 hr
Nov 20, 3:48 AM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC60 hr
Nov 20, 6:42 AM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC9 hr

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.