Gale Warning 751, NWS Anchorage, AK

738 
FZAK62 PAFC 051212
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
312 AM AKST Tue Dec 5 2023

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.

PKZ499-060130-
312 AM AKST Tue Dec 5 2023
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A series of fronts move across the Bering Sea through Wed
afternoon. 

$$

PKZ411-060130-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
312 AM AKST Tue Dec 5 2023

...GALE WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

.TODAY...SW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft. Snow showers and
rain showers.
.TONIGHT...W wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 9 to 16 ft. Freezing spray.
.WED...NW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft. Freezing spray.
.WED NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.THU THROUGH SAT...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.

$$

PKZ412-060130-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
312 AM AKST Tue Dec 5 2023

...GALE WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

.TODAY...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Snow and rain showers.
.TONIGHT...W wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft. Snow and rain
showers.
.WED...W wind 30 to 45 kt becoming 40 kt in the afternoon. Seas
15 to 23 ft. Freezing spray. Widespread snow showers.
.WED NIGHT...NW wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 14 to 21 ft.
.THU THROUGH SAT...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.

$$

PKZ413-060130-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
312 AM AKST Tue Dec 5 2023

...GALE WARNING WEDNESDAY...

.TODAY...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft. Snow showers and rain 
showers.
.TONIGHT...W wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft. Rain showers.
.WED...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 12 ft building to 11 to 19 ft
in the afternoon.
.WED NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft.
.THU...NW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft.
.FRI...NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 8 ft.
.SAT...N wind 30 kt. Seas 3 to 8 ft.

$$

PKZ414-060130-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
312 AM AKST Tue Dec 5 2023

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY...

.TODAY...W wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.
.TONIGHT...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft. Snow showers and
rain showers.
.WED...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft. Snow showers and rain 
showers.
.WED NIGHT...W wind 30 kt. Seas 13 to 19 ft.
.THU THROUGH SAT...NW wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.

$$

784 
FZAK62 PAFC 060117
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
417 PM AKST Tue Dec 5 2023

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.

PKZ499-061645-
417 PM AKST Tue Dec 5 2023
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 992 mb Gulf of Anadyr low moves to 63N 166W at 989 mb for 
Thu afternoon. Its front sweeps into Eastern Bering through 
Thu afternoon. High pressure moves over the Western Bering 
by Thu afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-061645-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
417 PM AKST Tue Dec 5 2023

...GALE WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

.TONIGHT...W wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft. Snow and rain 
showers.
.WED...W wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Snow showers. 
Freezing spray N of 56N.
.WED NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft. Snow showers.  
Freezing spray N of 56N.
.THU...NW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.THU NIGHT...N wind up to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.

$$

PKZ412-061645-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
417 PM AKST Tue Dec 5 2023

...GALE WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...W wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 14 ft. 
Snow and rain showers.
.WED...W wind 25 to 40 kt becoming 35 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas 12 to 20 ft. Freezing spray N of 57N. Snow showers.
.WED NIGHT...NW wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft. 
Freezing spray. Snow showers.
.THU...NW wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 15 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.

$$

PKZ413-061645-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
417 PM AKST Tue Dec 5 2023

.TONIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 12 ft. Rain and snow showers.
.WED...W wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 13 ft. Rain and snow showers.
.WED NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft. Snow Showers.
.THU...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 15 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NW wind up to 20 kt. Seas 7 to 11 ft.
.FRI...N wind up to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...N wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.

$$

PKZ414-061645-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
417 PM AKST Tue Dec 5 2023

...GALE WARNING WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 11 ft. Rain and snow showers.
.WED...W wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft. Snow showers.
.WED NIGHT...W wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 11 to 18 ft. Freezing spray 
N of 56N. Snow showers.
.THU...NW wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 12 to 17 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 13 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.

$$

270 
FZAK62 PAFC 061239
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
339 AM AKST Wed Dec 6 2023

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.

PKZ499-070215-
339 AM AKST Wed Dec 6 2023
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A series of fronts move across the Bering through Thu afternoon. 
High pressure moves over the Western Bering by Thu afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-070215-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
339 AM AKST Wed Dec 6 2023

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...W wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft. Freezing spray.
.THU...NW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Freezing spray.
.THU NIGHT...N wind up to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.

$$

PKZ412-070215-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
339 AM AKST Wed Dec 6 2023

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...W wind 25 to 40 kt becoming 35 kt in the afternoon. Seas
12 to 20 ft. Freezing spray. Widespread snow showers.
.TONIGHT...NW wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft. Freezing spray.
Snow showers.
.THU...NW wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 15 ft. Freezing spray.
.THU NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...N wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.

$$

PKZ413-070215-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
339 AM AKST Wed Dec 6 2023

.TODAY...W wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 13 ft. Snow showers and
rain showers.
.TONIGHT...NW wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.
.THU...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 15 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NW wind up to 20 kt. Seas 7 to 11 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.

$$

PKZ414-070215-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
339 AM AKST Wed Dec 6 2023

.TODAY...W wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft. Snow showers and
rain showers.
.TONIGHT...W wind 30 kt. Seas 11 to 18 ft. Freezing spray. Snow
showers.
.THU...NW wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 12 to 17 ft. Freezing spray. Snow
showers.
.THU NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 13 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.SUN...N wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 ft.

$$

771 
FZAK62 PAFC 070016
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
316 PM AKST Wed Dec 6 2023

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.

PKZ499-071430-
316 PM AKST Wed Dec 6 2023
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 986 mb low at 65N 169W moves to 63N 165W at 988 mb Thu 
afternoon, then inland for Thu night. Its front sweeps into 
Western Alaska by Fri morning. A series of troughs move over the 
Eastern Bering through Fri afternoon. High pressure moves into the
Western Bering for Fri afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-071430-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
316 PM AKST Wed Dec 6 2023

.TONIGHT...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft. Freezing spray.
.THU...NW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Freezing spray.
.THU NIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 6 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI...NE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...N wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 10 ft.

$$

PKZ412-071430-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
316 PM AKST Wed Dec 6 2023

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 35 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft. Freezing spray. Snow
showers.
.THU...NW wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 16 ft. Freezing spray.
.THU NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI...N wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 8 to 11 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 8 to 11 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...N wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.

$$

PKZ413-071430-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
316 PM AKST Wed Dec 6 2023

.TONIGHT...NW wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.
.THU...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 16 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 to 11 ft.
.FRI...N wind 15 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...N wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.

$$

PKZ414-071430-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
316 PM AKST Wed Dec 6 2023

.TONIGHT...W wind 30 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft. Freezing spray. Snow
showers and rain showers.
.THU...NW wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 13 to 18 ft. Freezing spray. Snow
showers.
.THU NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 13 ft. Freezing
spray. Snow showers.
.FRI...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.SAT...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...N wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 13 ft.

$$

187 
FZAK62 PAFC 071219
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
319 AM AKST Thu Dec 7 2023

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.

PKZ499-080200-
319 AM AKST Thu Dec 7 2023
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 990 mb low at 62N 167W moves inland through Thu night. Its 
front sweeps into Western Alaska by Fri morning. A series of 
troughs move over the Eastern Bering through Fri afternoon. High 
pressure moves into the Western Bering for Fri afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-080200-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
319 AM AKST Thu Dec 7 2023

.TODAY...NW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...N wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI...NE wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 6 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...NW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.MON...NE wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.

$$

PKZ412-080200-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
319 AM AKST Thu Dec 7 2023

.TODAY...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 11 to 16 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 13 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI...N wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 9 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI NIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 8 to 12 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...N wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.

$$

PKZ413-080200-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
319 AM AKST Thu Dec 7 2023

.TODAY...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 16 ft.
.TONIGHT...NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 to 11 ft.
.FRI...N wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...N wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...N wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.

$$

PKZ414-080200-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
319 AM AKST Thu Dec 7 2023

.TODAY...NW wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 13 to 16 ft. Freezing spray.
Snow showers.
.TONIGHT...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 14 ft. Freezing spray.
Snow showers.
.FRI...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 12 ft. Freezing spray. Snow
showers.
.FRI NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...N wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.

$$

Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
456 PM AKST Mon Dec 4 2023

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

A gale force low tracking slowly north over the Gulf of Alaska
this evening will lead to primarily marine/coastal impacts
tonight, with increasing precipitation spreading inland through
the week. With the slow moving low only inching northward, its
front remains out over the northern Gulf, allowing cold air to
remain entrenched near the surface over the Copper River Basin.
As a result, northerly gap winds for the Valdez/Thompson Pass area
will remain persistent around the same intensity through at least
Wednesday if not into Thursday. Low-level temperatures over
western portions of Southcentral will be warmer tonight, keeping
winds lighter through Resurrection Bay and Passage Canal.

For Tuesday, a neutrally-tilted trough pushes in across Western
Alaska. Compared to yesterday, models now tilt this trough
slightly negatively with time and are in much better agreement on
this solution. However, models continue to disagree on the
placement of the surface low. The forecast philosophy with a
negatively tilted trough approaching Southcentral Alaska would
favor moisture being drawn northwest from the Gulf low, similar to
the scenario depicted in the GFS solution. As a result, the
forecast today has trended in that direction. This places a band
of precipitation over the western half of the Copper River Basin,
extending westward across the Chugach Front Range and the
Talkeetna Mountains into Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valleys. These
areas may see up to 6 inches of snow through Wednesday afternoon,
with several more inches possible through Wednesday night and into
Thursday, depending on how quickly the trough progresses and
pushes the band of precipitation eastward. Higher amounts will be
possible in the southern Copper River Basin & Thompson Pass, where
more moisture is wrung out over the coastal mountains. Blowing
snow is expected to be an additional hazard for Thompson Pass as
cold air continues to filter out through gaps, leading to
continued sustained winds of 40 to 50 mph.

By Wednesday, the low moves into the northeastern Gulf, drawing
cold air across the Western Alaska Range. This cold air advection
is likely to enhance gap winds in the western Gulf to storm
force, with gusts in excess of 65 knots (75 mph). For Wednesday
evening, this should begin to push precipitation eastward and
eventually clear it out of Southcentral. Though, as mentioned
above, the timing of this progression is uncertain at this time.
For Thursday, a broad low with a strong upper-level component
tracks into Western Alaska. Its cold front brings potential for
another round of snow to Southcentral as it sweeps eastward out
over the Gulf.

CQ

&&

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

The forecast remains on track for Southwest and the Bering Sea
with mostly zonal flow and weak ridging over the Bering and a
broad trough and low pressure system over the Gulf. This pattern
combines the cold air moving south from the Bering Strait with the
forcing of the low in the Gulf to produce strong and gusty winds
along the Alaska Peninsula (AKPen), particularly through areas
like King Cove, Sand Point and Chignik. These winds will slowly
let up and shift east through Wednesday afternoon as the Gulf low
weakens. Between the more zonal/weak ridging over the Bering and
the broad low in the Gulf exists an area of deformation, which has
brought light today from the foothills of the Alaska Range south
to Pilot Point. This will let up quickly this evening as things
shift to the east.

Over the Bering expect cooler temperatures, westerly winds and
show showers to persist through the forecast period. This is
mainly due to ample cold air streaming east and southeast across
the Bering. This will be reinforced by a low developing over
Kamchatka tonight that will stream east into the Norton Sound by
Thursday. This will amplify the westerly winds, reinforce the cold
air, and lead to heavier snow/snow showers for the Bering and
western coastlines of the Mainland and AKPen. Snow will also push
farther into the interior Wednesday and Thursday as this low
drives into Norton Sound and eventually the interior.

-Jones

&&

.LONG TERM FORECAST (Days 4 through 7)...Friday through Monday...

The longwave trough over the eastern Bering and western Alaska,
meanders and drifts southeastward into the Gulf of Alaska with a
surface low heading toward the eastern Gulf of Alaska. There is
low confidence for the weekend period with the location of the
surface and where the heaviest precipitation will be, but
expecting an active pattern ahead for eastern Alaska. High
pressure ridging continues indicate amplification for the western
Bering Sea that encourages cool, northerly flow across the Bering
Sea. Snow showers can be expected under the northerly flow,
especially for the central and east Bering. A closed low forms
over Southern Mainland, and drifts to the East through the
weekend.

A North Pacific low with more available moisture and winds
approaching gale force will lift northward toward the Aleutians,
but looks to drift east toward the Gulf before reaching the
Islands. Bands of precipitation would still be reinforced and
would like keep precipitation going, locally heavier at time along
the Aleutians. Another surface low appears to develop and south
of the Alaska Peninsula and tracks into the western Gulf. At this
time, potentially heavy precipitation (10 percent exceedance of 2
inches in 24 hours) to the northern Gulf coast early next week is
possible. There is still low confidence with the position of the
low this far out in time, but is a feature worth tracking over the
next few days.

rux

&&

.AVIATION...

PANC...VFR conditions will persist through this evening as
northerly winds around 10 to 15 mph slowly diminish. The remnants
of a front moving northeast across the Chugach/Kenai Mountains
could produce a period of light snow late tonight or early Tuesday
morning. However, dry air continuing to filter in from the north
coupled with the short window for favorable lift will limit
snowfall duration and intensity, and ceiling/visibility is
unlikely to drop towards MVFR range for more than a couple hours
or so early on Tuesday morning.

AS

&&