Gale Warning 8, NWS Anchorage, AK

030 
FZAK61 PAFC 072349
OFFAER

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
249 PM AKST Fri Jan 7 2022

Offshore waters forecast for the Gulf of Alaska West of 144W

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.

PKZ399-081445-
249 PM AKST Fri Jan 7 2022
.SYNOPSIS FOR THE WESTERN GULF OF ALASKA...

A trough over the Northern Gulf dissipates for Sat morning. High 
pressure exits the Western Gulf by Sat morning. A front enters the
Southwest Gulf Sat morning and moves to the North Gulf Coast by 
Sun afternoon. A 989 mb North pacific low enters the Southwest 
Gulf at 963 mb for Sun afternoon.

$$

PKZ351-081445-
Gulf of Alaska Offshore North of 57N and West of 144W-
249 PM AKST Fri Jan 7 2022

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

.TONIGHT...NE wind up to 20 kt becoming E 15 to 30 kt after
midnight. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.SAT...E wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...E wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.
.SUN...E wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 15 to 22 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 18 to 25 ft.
.MON...E wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.
.TUE THROUGH WED...SW wind up to 20 kt. Seas 9 ft.

$$

PKZ352-081445-
Gulf of Alaska Offshore South of 57N North of 55N and West of
144W-
249 PM AKST Fri Jan 7 2022

...GALE WARNING SATURDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind up to 15 kt becoming E after midnight. Seas 7
ft.
.SAT...E wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...E wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft. Rain and snow.
.SUN...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 15 to 23 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...S wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 16 to 24 ft.
.MON THROUGH WED...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.

$$

577 
FZAK61 PAFC 072350
OFFAER

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
250 PM AKST Fri Jan 7 2022

Offshore waters forecast for the Gulf of Alaska West of 144W

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.

PKZ399-081445-
250 PM AKST Fri Jan 7 2022
.SYNOPSIS FOR THE WESTERN GULF OF ALASKA...

A trough over the Northern Gulf dissipates for Sat morning. High 
pressure exits the Western Gulf by Sat morning. A front enters the
Southwest Gulf Sat morning and moves to the North Gulf Coast by 
Sun afternoon. A 989 mb North Pacific low enters the Southwest Gulf 
at 963 mb for Sun afternoon.

$$

PKZ351-081445-
Gulf of Alaska Offshore North of 57N and West of 144W-
250 PM AKST Fri Jan 7 2022

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

.TONIGHT...NE wind up to 20 kt becoming E 15 to 30 kt after
midnight. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.SAT...E wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...E wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.
.SUN...E wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 15 to 22 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 18 to 25 ft.
.MON...E wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.
.TUE THROUGH WED...SW wind up to 20 kt. Seas 9 ft.

$$

PKZ352-081445-
Gulf of Alaska Offshore South of 57N North of 55N and West of
144W-
250 PM AKST Fri Jan 7 2022

...GALE WARNING SATURDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind up to 15 kt becoming E after midnight. Seas 7
ft.
.SAT...E wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...E wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft. Rain and snow.
.SUN...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 15 to 23 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...S wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 16 to 24 ft.
.MON THROUGH WED...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.

$$

444 
FZAK61 PAFC 081253
OFFAER

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
353 AM AKST Sat Jan 8 2022

Offshore waters forecast for the Gulf of Alaska West of 144W

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.

PKZ399-090130-
353 AM AKST Sat Jan 8 2022
.SYNOPSIS FOR THE WESTERN GULF OF ALASKA...A front enters the
southwest Gulf Sat morning and moves to the North Gulf Coast by Sun 
afternoon. A 989 mb North pacific low enters the southwest Gulf at 
963 mb for Sun afternoon. The low will move to 59N 151W Mon afternoon
and weaken to 983 mb.

$$

PKZ351-090130-
Gulf of Alaska Offshore North of 57N and West of 144W-
353 AM AKST Sat Jan 8 2022

...GALE WARNING THROUGH SUNDAY...

.TODAY...E wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.TONIGHT...E wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 12 to 18 ft.
.SUN...E wind 35 to 45 kt diminishing to 20 to 35 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 14 to 19 ft. Rain and snow.
.SUN NIGHT...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 16 to 24 ft.
.MON...E wind up to 20 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.
.TUE THROUGH WED...SE wind up to 20 kt. Seas 8 to 11 ft.

$$

PKZ352-090130-
Gulf of Alaska Offshore South of 57N North of 55N and West of
144W-
353 AM AKST Sat Jan 8 2022

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT AND SUNDAY...

.TODAY...E wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 9 ft.
.TONIGHT...E wind 20 to 30 kt increasing to 25 to 40 kt after
midnight. Seas 10 to 18 ft. Rain and snow.
.SUN...E wind 25 to 35 kt becoming SE 15 to 30 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 14 to 22 ft. Rain.
.SUN NIGHT...S wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 15 to 23 ft.
.MON...SE wind up to 15 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.
.TUE THROUGH WED...S wind up to 20 kt. Seas 8 to 12 ft.

$$

155 
FZAK61 PAFC 090044
OFFAER

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
344 PM AKST Sat Jan 8 2022

Offshore waters forecast for the Gulf of Alaska West of 144W

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.

PKZ399-091345-
344 PM AKST Sat Jan 8 2022
.SYNOPSIS FOR THE WESTERN GULF OF ALASKA...

A 965 mb North Pacific low enters the southern Gulf near 55N 150W
Sun afternoon. This low then transits to 58N 153W at 980 mb Mon 
afternoon.

$$

PKZ351-091345-
Gulf of Alaska Offshore North of 57N and West of 144W-
344 PM AKST Sat Jan 8 2022

...GALE WARNING THROUGH SUNDAY...

.TONIGHT...E wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 12 to 19 ft. Rain.
.SUN...E wind 30 to 40 kt diminishing to 15 to 30 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 13 to 19 ft. Rain and snow.
.SUN NIGHT...SE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 15 to 23 ft.
.MON...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 12 to 19 ft.
.MON NIGHT...SW wind up to 20 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.TUE THROUGH WED...SE wind up to 20 kt. Seas 8 to 12 ft.
.THU...SE wind 30 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.

$$

PKZ352-091345-
Gulf of Alaska Offshore South of 57N North of 55N and West of
144W-
344 PM AKST Sat Jan 8 2022

...GALE WARNING THROUGH SUNDAY...

.TONIGHT...E wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft. Rain.
.SUN...E wind 25 to 40 kt becoming SE 15 to 30 kt in the
afternoon.
Seas 14 to 19 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft.
.MON...S wind up to 20 kt. Seas 10 to 16 ft.
.MON NIGHT...SW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.TUE THROUGH WED...S wind up to 20 kt. Seas 8 to 12 ft.
.THU...SE wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft.

$$

924 
FZAK61 PAFC 091301
OFFAER

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
401 AM AKST Sun Jan 9 2022

Offshore waters forecast for the Gulf of Alaska West of 144W

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.

PKZ399-100200-
401 AM AKST Sun Jan 9 2022
.SYNOPSIS FOR THE WESTERN GULF OF ALASKA...

A 960 mb low enters the southern Gulf this morning, moving to near 
57N 149W at 972 mb by evening. It then tracks westward to 59N 152W at
983 mb by Mon evening before dissipating over southern Cook Inlet 
Tue morning. Its associated front will extend from south of Kodiak 
Island across the northern Gulf today before weakening through Mon. 

$$

PKZ351-100200-
Gulf of Alaska Offshore North of 57N and West of 144W-
401 AM AKST Sun Jan 9 2022

...STORM WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...E wind 35 to 50 kt diminishing to 25 to 40 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 14 to 20 ft. Rain and snow.
.TONIGHT...SE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 14 to 21 ft.
.MON...SE wind 10 to 25 kt diminishing to up to 15 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 12 to 18 ft.
.MON NIGHT...SW wind up to 20 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.TUE THROUGH WED...SE wind up to 20 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.THU...SE wind 30 to 40 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.

$$

PKZ352-100200-
Gulf of Alaska Offshore South of 57N North of 55N and West of
144W-
401 AM AKST Sun Jan 9 2022

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...E wind 30 to 45 kt becoming SE 15 to 30 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 15 to 20 ft.
.TONIGHT...S to SW wind 15 to 30 kt. W of 149W...N to W wind 15 to 
30 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft.
.MON...SW wind 10 to 20 kt...except W to NW wind W of 149W in the
morning. Seas 10 to 15 ft.
.MON NIGHT...SW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 10 to 13 ft.
.TUE THROUGH WED...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.THU...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft.

$$

Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
519 PM AKST Thu Jan 6 2022

.ANALYSIS AND UPPER LEVELS...

In the upper levels, strong high pressure continues to stretch
from Siberia into central and southwest Alaska. Several low
pressure areas rotate around the western Aleutian island area.
That high will influence the track of the lows coming out of the
north Pacific. Strong northerly flow is occurring over eastern
Alaska. At the surface, the high pressure basically stretches
across the state.

On a broad scale, the high pressure over central and southwest
Alaska is keeping skies clear with winds on the light side,
currently. The north flow aloft over the east is working to help
keep temperatures quite cold with bitter wind chills.

Satellite imagery and webcams in the Anchorage area shows somewhat
patchy fog over the area.

&&

.MODEL DISCUSSION...
The models are in good agreement with the synoptic pattern through
Saturday, when they start to diverge on how to handle the low
pressure areas over the north Pacific, as well as the low
pressure developing and moving south through the northerly flow. For
tomorrow and Saturday, a fetch of warmer and moister air aloft is
still forecast into Southcentral this weekend. The primary
forecast challenges will be pin pointing the precipitation type
over the Kenai, and the chance of higher winds into the Mat
Valley this weekend.

&&

.AVIATION...
PANC...An area of fog developed over the Anchorage area today and
has been fairly stubborn. While conditions for the TAF at ANC have
generally been VFR, there have been periods of time with reduced
vsby. Do not see conditions which will scour out the fog
overnight, so the threat of periodic reduced vsby/cigs will be
there through possibly mid morning tomorrow. Next chance for
precipitation at PANC will be Saturday.

&&

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

Cold temperatures have stuck around today with windchills through
Thompson Pass still reporting 55 to 60 below zero and 30 to 40
mph winds. Given the continued cold and windiness, the Wind Chill
Advisory will continue into Saturday. Fog appeared throughout the
Anchorage bowl this afternoon and given the low sun angle and some
of the HiRes guidance and GFS Lamp, patchy fog could continue
through tomorrow morning.

The upper ridge continues to bring clear and dry weather across
interior Southcentral. Surface high pressure over the Copper River
Basin and a tight pressure gradient towards the north Gulf Coast
prompted gusty winds through the gaps.

This pressure gradient will be further exacerbated as an Arctic
low over interior Canada drops a front, carving into the upper
ridge and directing an upper jet more northerly over Southcentral
for by Friday morning. This wave of energy will tighten a pressure
gradient over across the Mat Valley area, not only aloft, but at
the surface. Upper vorticity and 850 temperature gradient in the
latest run places the threat more in line with the Mat Valley
Friday through Saturday for strong winds gusting to 60 mph, but
still not expecting the magnitude experienced last week.

Through the weekend, the trough will elongate and interact with a
low south of the AKPen and will ultimately lift into the Gulf.
Snow is expected to move across Kodiak Island, changing to rain
along the eastern coast as easterly flow, and a barrier jet,
advects warmer air in from the Gulf. Precipitation types will need
to be further assessed as the low develops, but the onset has
been delayed slightly compared to previous runs. None the less, it
appears to have plenty moisture.

&&

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

Dry, clear, and cool conditions will continue through the end of
the week. However, by Friday, the weak zonal flow aloft, will
give way to a weak upper-level high pressure system. Pressure
gradients will tighten Friday evening due to a North Pacific low
tracking farther north. This will result in increasing
northeasterly winds over the Kuskokwim Delta and central Bristol
Bay areas. As the low continues northward and elongates,
scattered precipitation is possible over Bristol Bay Sunday. The
aforementioned lows exact position and any resultant downsloping
near the Alaska Range, remains uncertain at this time. However,
any rain/snow would be of little to no major impact until possibly
early next week.

&&

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

A low tracking northward near the western Aleutians will continue
to bring rain and gusty southerly winds before tapering off by
midnight. Southeasterly flow to its east will allow for highs to
reach the 40s over the central Aleutians as warm air is being
pulled from the south. Two lows will merge over the North Pacific
Friday into Saturday. Much of the precipitation looks to remain
south of the Chain until later in the weekend/early next week.
However, gusty northeasterly winds are possible near the Alaska
Peninsula through this weekend.

&&

.MARINE (Days 3 through 5 - Sunday through Tuesday)...

Gulf of Alaska: North pacific low moves just south of the AKPen
on Sunday, bringing waves above 20ft and winds greater than 35kts
to much of the Gulf. Winds and waves begin to subside by Monday.

Bering Sea: Northerly flow on the backside of a low near the AKPen
will produce gale force winds across the Bering and Aleutian
Coasts on Sunday before subsiding on Monday. Seas are expected to
remain below 20 ft Sunday through Tuesday, but may approach 20ft
in ares with highest winds on Sunday.

&&

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

As we begin the long term the region will be in the midst of a pattern
change. The blocking high that has been over Alaska this week will
shift towards eastern Russia while a broad trough will develop over
the Bering and Aleutians and extend towards southcentral Alaska.
Additionally, a strong ridge will develop over western Canada and
extend into the interior of Alaska. The western Canadian ridge
will direct lows and fronts northward into southcentral with
milder temperatures and moist southerly flow bringing rain and
snow for parts of southcentral. This pattern will also allow a
couple of lows to cross into the Aleutians and Bering from the
North Pacific which could bring periods of strong winds to parts
of the Aleutians and Bering.

&&

.AFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PUBLIC...Wind Chill Advisory 131.
MARINE...Gale Warning 120, 121, 127, 128, 130, 131, 138, 139,
                      155, 170, 172-176, 179, 185, 411-414.
         Heavy Freezing Spray 119, 121, 126-129, 139, 141,
                      165, 185, 414.
FIRE WEATHER...NONE.

&&

SYNOPSIS AND MODEL DISCUSSION...NR
SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA...VR
SOUTHWEST ALASKA/BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS...NS
MARINE/LONG TERM...RC/KM

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
National Weather Service ANCHORAGE AK
127 AM AKST Fri Jan 7 2022

AKZ111-071500-
Matanuska Valley-
Including the cities of Palmer, Wasilla, Sutton, and Chickaloon
127 AM AKST Fri Jan 7 2022

...STRONG WINDS FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY...

Strong northeast winds sustained 25 to 40 mph, with gusts of 45
to 60 mph will return Friday afternoon and continue through the
overnight hours before slowly diminishing Saturday morning. There
is also the potential that winds will increase again late Saturday
afternoon before diminishing Sunday morning. Loose debris may
still be affected by these winds and should be secured where
possible.

Wind chills from 15 to 30 below zero are expected with higher
winds. This could cause dangerous life-threatening conditions for
those without power, as frostbite can develop in as little as as
15 minutes in these conditions.

For the latest information, visit us at: weather.gov/anchorage.