Gale Warning 21, NWS Anchorage, AK

720 
FZAK62 PAFC 270008
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
308 PM AKST Fri Jan 26 2024

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.

PKZ499-271345-
308 PM AKST Fri Jan 26 2024
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

Weak low pressure forms in the eastern Bering Sea and moves to 
60N 178W at 1011 mb by Sat afternoon. The low will continue to 
strengthen to 991 mb as it moves southeast to 52N 166W by Sun 
afternoon. 

$$

PKZ411-271345-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
308 PM AKST Fri Jan 26 2024

.TONIGHT...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...NW wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft. Freezing spray.
.SUN...NW wind up to 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...NW wind up to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 6 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...W wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.WED...NE wind up to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.

$$

PKZ412-271345-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
308 PM AKST Fri Jan 26 2024

...GALE WARNING SATURDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT...NE wind up to 20 kt becoming W 15 to 30 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 4 to 9 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT NIGHT...N wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Freezing spray.
.SUN...N wind up to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 9 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...N wind up to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...W wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.WED...NW wind up to 15 kt. Seas 6 to 10 ft.

$$

PKZ413-271345-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
308 PM AKST Fri Jan 26 2024

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 12 to 19 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT...NE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT NIGHT...N wind up to 20 kt becoming NW 15 to 30 kt after
midnight. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Freezing spray.
.SUN...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...N wind up to 15 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...W wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.WED...NE wind up to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 8 ft.

$$

PKZ414-271345-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
308 PM AKST Fri Jan 26 2024

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...
...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft. Extreme freezing 
spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly accumulate 
on vessels.
.SAT...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Extreme freezing 
spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly accumulate 
on vessels.
.SAT NIGHT...NE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft. Extreme freezing 
spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly accumulate 
on vessels.
.SUN...N wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...N wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 8 ft.
.MON...N wind up to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft.
.TUE...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.WED...S wind up to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 9 ft.

$$

176 
FZAK62 PAFC 271332
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
432 AM AKST Sat Jan 27 2024

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.

PKZ499-280230-
432 AM AKST Sat Jan 27 2024
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A low pressure forms in the eastern Bering Sea and moves to 60N 
178W at 1008 mb by this afternoon. The low will continue to 
strengthen to 994 mb as it moves southeast to 57N 171W by Sunday 
morning, continuing to 54N 168W at 990 mb by Sun afternoon. 

$$

PKZ411-280230-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
432 AM AKST Sat Jan 27 2024

.TODAY...N wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.TONIGHT...NW wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 6 to 10 ft.
.SUN...NW wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft.
.SUN NIGHT...NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...W wind up to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.WED...E wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 9 ft.

$$

PKZ412-280230-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
432 AM AKST Sat Jan 27 2024

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TODAY...NE wind up to 20 kt becoming W 15 to 30 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 4 to 9 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...N wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Freezing spray.
.SUN...N wind 10 to 20 kt becoming NE in the afternoon. Seas 4 to
9 ft. Freezing spray.
.SUN NIGHT...W wind up to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 6 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...NW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.
.WED...E wind up to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 8 ft.

$$

PKZ413-280230-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
432 AM AKST Sat Jan 27 2024

.TODAY...NE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 16 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...N wind 10 to 20 kt becoming NW 15 to 30 kt after
midnight. Seas 7 to 11 ft. Freezing spray.
.SUN...N wind 15 to 30 kt diminishing to up to 15 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 6 to 10 ft. Freezing spray.
.SUN NIGHT...NW wind up to 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...SW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.WED...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 5 to 9 ft.

$$

PKZ414-280230-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
432 AM AKST Sat Jan 27 2024

...GALE WARNING SUNDAY...
...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING THROUGH SUNDAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 20 to 30 kt diminishing to 10 to 25 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Extreme freezing spray at a rate of 4 cm
per hour or greater may rapidly accumulate on vessels near ice edge.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft. Heavy freezing
spray.
.SUN...NE wind 20 to 35 kt becoming N 15 to 25 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Extreme freezing spray at a rate of 4 cm
per hour or greater may rapidly accumulate on vessels near ice edge.
.SUN NIGHT...N wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 8 ft.
.MON...N wind up to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 6 ft.
.TUE...W wind up to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.
.WED...SE wind up to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.

$$

050 
FZAK62 PAFC 272345
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
245 PM AKST Sat Jan 27 2024

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.

PKZ499-281500-
245 PM AKST Sat Jan 27 2024
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 1004 mb low at 59N 175W moves to 53N 166W at 988 mb by Sun 
afternoon before exiting into the North Pacific. A 1003 mb low at
60N 174E Sun afternoon moves to 58N 179W at 992 mb by Mon 
afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-281500-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
245 PM AKST Sat Jan 27 2024

.TONIGHT...NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 to 10 ft. Freezing spray.
.SUN...NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Freezing spray.
.SUN NIGHT...NW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Freezing spray.
.MON...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 10 ft.
.MON NIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.TUE...W wind up to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.WED...E wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 9 ft.
.THU...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft.

$$

PKZ412-281500-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
245 PM AKST Sat Jan 27 2024

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Freezing spray.
.SUN...N wind 10 to 25 kt becoming NE up to 15 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Freezing spray.
.SUN NIGHT...NE wind 10 kt becoming S after midnight. Seas 3 to 6 ft.
.MON...W wind up to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 7 ft.
.MON NIGHT...NW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 8 ft.
.TUE...NW wind up to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.
.WED...E wind up to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 8 ft.
.THU...SE wind 30 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.

$$

PKZ413-281500-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
245 PM AKST Sat Jan 27 2024

.TONIGHT...N wind up to 20 kt becoming NW 15 to 30 kt after
midnight. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Freezing spray.
.SUN...N wind 15 to 30 kt diminishing to up to 20 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 7 to 11 ft. Freezing spray.
.SUN NIGHT...NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 ft. Freezing spray.
.MON...W wind up to 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.MON NIGHT...W wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 9 ft.
.TUE...SW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 8 to 11 ft.
.WED...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 5 to 9 ft.
.THU...SE wind 25 kt. Seas 10 to 15 ft.

$$

PKZ414-281500-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
245 PM AKST Sat Jan 27 2024

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

.TONIGHT...NE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 8 ft. Extreme freezing 
spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly accumulate
on vessels near ice edge.
.SUN...NE wind 25 to 40 kt diminishing to 15 to 30 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Extreme freezing 
spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly accumulate
on vessels near ice edge.
.SUN NIGHT...N wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 8 ft. Extreme freezing 
spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly accumulate
on vessels near ice edge.
.MON...N wind up to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 7 ft.
.MON NIGHT...NW wind up to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 6 ft.
.TUE...W wind up to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.
.WED...SE wind up to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.
.THU...SE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.

$$

799 
FZAK62 PAFC 281300
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
400 AM AKST Sun Jan 28 2024

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.

PKZ499-290130-
400 AM AKST Sun Jan 28 2024
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 997 mb low at 57N 170W exits into the North Pacific by Sun 
afternoon at 990 mb. A 992 mb low at 59N 179E Mon Morning moves to
59 N 173 W at 985 mb by Tue morning. 

$$

PKZ411-290130-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
400 AM AKST Sun Jan 28 2024

.TODAY...NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...NW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Freezing spray.
.MON...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 11 ft. Freezing spray.
.MON NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 8 to 12 ft.
.TUE...NW wind up to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.WED...NE wind up to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 7 ft.
.THU...N wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.

$$

PKZ412-290130-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
400 AM AKST Sun Jan 28 2024

.TODAY...NE wind 10 to 25 kt diminishing to up to 15 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 7 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 10 kt becoming SE after midnight. Seas 4 ft.
.MON...W wind up to 15 kt increasing to 10 to 25 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 3 to 8 ft. Snow showers. Freezing spray.
.MON NIGHT...W wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.
.TUE...N wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.
.WED...NE wind up to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.
.THU...NE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 16 ft.

$$

PKZ413-290130-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
400 AM AKST Sun Jan 28 2024

.TODAY...NW wind 15 to 30 kt becoming N up to 20 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...NW wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 7 ft. Freezing spray.
.MON...W wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft. Freezing spray.
.MON NIGHT...W wind 25 kt. Seas 7 to 11 ft.
.TUE...SW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.WED...E wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft.
.THU...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 15 ft.

$$

PKZ414-290130-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
400 AM AKST Sun Jan 28 2024

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

.TODAY...NE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft. Extreme freezing 
spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly accumulate on
vessels near ice edge.
.TONIGHT...N wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 7 ft. Extreme freezing 
spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly accumulate on
vessels near ice edge.
.MON...N wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 6 ft. Extreme freezing 
spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly accumulate on
vessels near ice edge.
.MON NIGHT...S wind up to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 6 ft.
.TUE...W wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.
.WED THROUGH THU...SE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.

$$

883 
FZAK62 PAFC 282351
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
251 PM AKST Sun Jan 28 2024

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.

PKZ499-291515-
251 PM AKST Sun Jan 28 2024
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 990 mb low at 53N 165W exits into the North Pacific by Mon
morning. A complex 1005 mb low near 60N 173E moves to 58N 176W at
993 mb for Tue afternoon. A second complex 999 mb low develops 
near 56N 177W Mon morning and moves to 56N 157W at 998 mb by Tue 
afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-291515-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
251 PM AKST Sun Jan 28 2024

...GALE WARNING MONDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft. Freezing spray.
.MON...NW wind 25 kt becoming 15 to 30 kt in the afternoon. Seas
8 to 11 ft. Freezing spray.
.MON NIGHT...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE...NW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...W wind up to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.
.WED...NE wind up to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 7 ft.
.THU...N wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.FRI...N wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 14 to 18 ft.

$$

PKZ412-291515-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
251 PM AKST Sun Jan 28 2024

.TONIGHT...E wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 5 ft. Freezing spray.
.MON...SE wind up to 20 kt becoming NW 10 to 25 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 4 to 9 ft. Snow showers. Freezing spray.
.MON NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Snow showers.
Freezing spray.
.TUE...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 4 to 8 ft.
.WED...NE wind up to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...E wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 16 ft.

$$

PKZ413-291515-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
251 PM AKST Sun Jan 28 2024

.TONIGHT...N wind up to 20 kt becoming W 10 to 25 kt after
midnight. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Freezing spray.
.MON...W wind 10 to 25 kt increasing to 20 to 30 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 5 to 10 ft. Freezing spray.
.MON NIGHT...W wind 25 kt becoming 15 to 30 kt after midnight.
Seas 7 to 10 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE...W wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 12 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...SW wind up to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.WED...E wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...E wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 9 to 15 ft.

$$

PKZ414-291515-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
251 PM AKST Sun Jan 28 2024

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

.TONIGHT...N wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 7 ft. Extreme freezing 
spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly accumulate on
vessels near ice edge.
.MON...N wind up to 20 kt becoming SE 10 to 25 kt in the
afternoon. Seas 3 to 7 ft. Extreme freezing 
spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly accumulate on
vessels near ice edge.
.MON NIGHT...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 3 to 8 ft. Snow showers.
Heavy freezing spray near ice edge.
.TUE...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 3 to 8 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft.
.WED THROUGH FRI...SE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.

$$

Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
444 PM AKST Thu Jan 25 2024

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

Relatively benign weather will continue through tonight. Areas of
fog may develop in the valleys and low lying areas tonight into
tomorrow morning.

Active weather returns to portions of Southcentral tomorrow.
Primary areas of concern will be the Copper River Basin, eastern
Prince William Sound, and Cordova as a series of low pressure
systems track northwards across the Gulf of Alaska. Longwave
Arctic troughing extends south over much of the western portions
of Southcentral, including the Mat-Su Valleys, Anchorage, the
Kenai Peninsula, and Kodiak Island. The trough looks to be strong
enough to keep the heavy precipitation associated with the Gulf
low(s) from spilling into these regions, however, some light,
localized precipitation is possible. There have been quite a bit
of model inconsistency with these incoming Gulf lows bringing
varying amounts of snowfall to different regions. The most recent
runs are pointing towards a further east track, resulting in a
long duration snowfall with higher amounts along the northern
coast - Cordova, Valdez, Thompson Pass - as well as the Copper
Basin. Three Winter Storm Watches have been issued for heavy snow
and new snow accumulation beginning Friday and lasting through
Sunday night into Monday morning. Eastern Prince William Sound,
including Cordova, could see between 8 and 16 inches of new snow
accumulation, Valdez and Keystone Canyon with 18 to 30 inches
while Thompson Passes could see 28 to 40 inches of new snow. For
the Copper River Basin, the southern portions of the Basin will
see the highest snow amounts, ranging from 18 to 30 inches, and
from Glennallen to Paxon values range from 12 to 24 inches of new
snow. Snow is expected to be heavy and may reduce visibilities at
times.

&&

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

Upper level high pressure is currently over the Western Aleutians
and continues to slide west as a strong low lingering just south
of the Aleutian Chain weakens through early Friday. Over the
mainland, zonal flow predominates through Friday morning. Skies
will remain mostly clear across Southwest into portions of
Southcentral and the eastern Bering sea as cold air remains in
place with offshore flow.

An upper level trough will develop over the mainland interior
dipping into Southwest Friday afternoon. This will open the door
for more cold air advection and increasing winds to the end of
this week. Winds may become more northerly as the trough deepens
southward, and increase up to gale force. With the cold air
advection, winds could become gusty through susceptible terrain
gaps. Confidence remains low with regards to precise wind speed
and temperature values due to variations between model runs,
however, there is moderate to high confidence for frigid
temperatures and higher wind by Friday. Wind chill temperatures
over much of Southwest is likely to dip into the minus 40 to minus
50 degrees Fahrenheit range. In the lower Kuskokwim Valley wind
chill temperatures may reach minus 50 to minus 60 Fahrenheit.
Heavy freezing spray will consequently return toward the end of
the week with ice accretion of at least 4 cm per hour near the ice
edge in the eastern Bering beginning as soon as after midnight
into Friday morning, potentially lasting into next week.

As cold air moves over relatively warmer sea surface temperatures
and winds increase from the north, ocean effect snow showers
could develop across the Bering Sea and becoming more prominent as
yet another embedded trough develops in the north Bering and
reinforces cold air southward for Saturday. Blowing snow and
reduced visibility could become an issue with the snow showers
moving across the Pribilofs, the eastern Aleutians, and the Alaska
Peninsula.

&&

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

The beginning of the weekend will see a trough developing over
central/western Alaska. With the north-south alignment of the
trough, hazardous cold temperatures are possible along the western
portion of the trough, extending into portions of southwest
Alaska. These conditions would persist through the weekend, but
are possible to extend into early next week. With an increasing
pressure gradient forming through the Bering, strong gap winds
across the western Aleutian islands are currently projected during
the weekend.

Through the end of the weekend into early next week, uncertainty
remains on the potential of shortwaves forming in the eastern Gulf
of Alaska, as well as their track. Presently, a series of
shortwaves are expected to provide increased precipitation along
the Alaska Panhandle and will stretch as far west as the eastern
portions of Prince William Sound. Previous model guidance had the
majority of the heavy precipitation primarily along the Alaska
Panhandle, but there are some trends that are starting to suggest
more precipitation closer to Southcentral. Increased model
agreement closer to the event will help with the confidence of
this forecast in the coming days. Additionally, regardless of the
exact location of the trough and shortwaves, gap winds are likely
with this system. The main region of increased gap winds will
extend from the eastern Bering to the western portions of Cook
Inlet and the Alaska Range. Overall, the positioning of the trough
over Alaska in the coming days will play a significant role in
the placement of strong winds and heavy precipitation throughout
the weekend and early next week.

BS

&&

.AVIATION...

PANC...Light northerly winds will continue. Periods of low
visibility (mostly MVFR but may drop to IFR at times) and cloud
ceilings dropping below 300 ft is expected through the overnight
hours with areas of vicinity fog. Conditions should improve
through the morning hours.

&&