Gale Warning 80, NWS Anchorage, AK

736 
FZAK51 PAFC 171238
CWFAER

Coastal Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage Alaska
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

Coastal Waters Forecast for the Northern Gulf of Alaska Coast
up to 100 nm out including Kodiak Island and Cook Inlet.

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.

PKZ197-180200-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024
.SYNOPSIS FOR THE NORTH GULF COAST+KODIAK ISLAND WATERS+
COOK INLET...

A 1014 mb complex low forms 100 SE of Yakutat this morning and 
exits to the North Pacific at 1003 mb this afternoon. This low 
dissipates Thu morning. High pressure persists across much of 
the Gulf through Fri morning.

$$

PKZ710-180200-
Cape Suckling to Gravel Point out to 15 NM-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...HURRICANE FORCE WIND WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...N wind 35 kt increasing to NE 65 kt in the afternoon. Gusts
to 80 kt out of the Copper River Delta in the afternoon. Seas 11 ft.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 60 kt diminishing to 50 kt after midnight. 
Gusts to 70 kt out of the Copper River Delta in the evening. 
Seas 10 ft.
.THU...NE wind 40 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.SUN...E wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.

$$

PKZ711-180200-
Gravel Point to Cape Cleare out to 15 NM-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...STORM WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...N wind 30 kt increasing to 50 kt by afternoon. Seas 10 ft.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 40 kt diminishing to 25 kt after midnight. 
Seas 10 ft.
.THU...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.THU NIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.SUN...E wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.

$$

PKZ712-180200-
Cape Suckling to Cape Cleare from 15 to 75 NM-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...N wind increasing to 45 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 40 kt diminishing to 30 kt after midnight. 
Seas 12 ft.
.THU...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...E wind 15 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.SUN...E wind 20 kt. Seas 9 ft.

$$

PKZ715-180200-
Cape Cleare to Gore Point out to 15 NM-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...N wind increasing to 45 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 45 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.THU...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 9 ft.

$$

PKZ716-180200-
Cape Cleare to Gore Point from 15 to 75 NM-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...N wind increasing to 45 kt. Seas 13 ft.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 45 kt. Seas 14 ft.
.THU...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 10 ft.

$$

PKZ714-180200-
Resurrection Bay-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...N wind 35 kt. Gusts to 50 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.TONIGHT...N wind 35 kt diminishing to 25 kt after midnight. 
Gusts to 50 kt diminishing to 35 kt after midnight. Seas 7 ft. 
.THU...N wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.THU NIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...N wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$

PKZ724-180200-
Northwest Prince William Sound-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TODAY...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 7 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...NW wind 25 kt becoming NE 35 kt after midnight. 
Seas 8 ft.
.THU...NE wind 25 kt becoming NW 15 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas 6 ft subsiding to 3 ft in the afternoon.
.THU NIGHT...N wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SUN...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$

PKZ725-180200-
Central and Eastern Prince William Sound-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...STORM WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...N wind 25 kt increasing to 50 kt by late morning. 
Seas 7 ft building to 13 ft in the afternoon.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 50 kt diminishing to 40 kt after midnight. 
Seas 13 ft subsiding to 9 ft after midnight.
.THU...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ726-180200-
Southwest Prince William Sound-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...N wind 30 kt increasing to 45 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas 7 ft building to 12 ft in the afternoon.
.TONIGHT...N wind 45 kt becoming NE 30 kt after midnight. 
Seas 12 ft.
.THU AND THU NIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.FRI...N wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ720-180200-
Port of Valdez-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...NE wind increasing to 40 kt. Gusts to 65 kt in the afternoon.
Seas 3 ft building to 7 ft in the afternoon.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 40 kt diminishing to 30 kt after midnight. 
Gusts to 65 kt diminishing to 45 kt after midnight. Seas 7 ft. 
.THU...NE wind 25 kt. Gusts to 40 kt in the morning. Seas 5 ft. 
Freezing spray.
.THU NIGHT...E wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$

PKZ721-180200-
Valdez Narrows-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...STORM WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...N wind increasing to 50 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas building to 5 ft.
.TONIGHT...N wind 50 kt diminishing to 40 kt after midnight. 
Seas 5 ft. 
.THU...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 4 ft. Freezing spray.
.THU NIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.FRI...N wind 25 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SAT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ722-180200-
Valdez Arm-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING THROUGH THURSDAY...

.TODAY...NE wind increasing to 45 kt. Seas 4 ft building to 9 ft 
in the afternoon.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 45 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.THU...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$

PKZ723-180200-
Passage Canal-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TODAY...

.TODAY...W wind 25 kt. Gusts to 35 kt near Whittier. 
Seas 3 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...W wind 20 kt. Gusts to 30 kt near Whittier. 
Seas 2 ft.
.THU...W wind 10 kt increasing to 15 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas 2 ft.
.THU NIGHT...W wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI...W wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...E wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$

PKZ730-180200-
West of Barren Islands Including Kamishak Bay-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...N wind 30 kt increasing to 40 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas 12 ft.
.TONIGHT...N wind 40 kt. Seas 13 ft.
.THU...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.THU NIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.FRI...N wind 20 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.SAT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.SUN...N wind 25 kt. Seas 6 ft.

$$

PKZ731-180200-
Barren Islands East-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...N wind 40 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.TONIGHT...N wind 35 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.THU...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.SUN...N wind 25 kt. Seas 9 ft.

$$

PKZ733-180200-
Gore Point to Marmot Island from 15 to 80 NM-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...N wind 30 kt increasing to 40 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas 11 ft.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 40 kt. Seas 15 ft.
.THU...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 10 ft.

$$

PKZ732-180200-
Marmot Island to Sitkinak out to 15 NM-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING THROUGH THURSDAY...

.TODAY...N wind 30 kt increasing to 45 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas 10 ft.
.TONIGHT...N wind 40 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.THU...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.SUN...N wind 20 kt. Seas 9 ft.

$$

PKZ734-180200-
Marmot Island To Sitkinak from 15 to 85 NM-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING THROUGH THURSDAY...

.TODAY...N wind 30 kt increasing to 40 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas 12 ft.
.TONIGHT...N wind 40 kt. Seas 13 ft.
.THU...NE wind 40 kt. Seas 14 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 15 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 15 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 15 ft.
.SUN...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 13 ft.

$$

PKZ736-180200-
Chiniak Bay-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...N wind 25 kt increasing to 35 kt in the afternoon. 
Gusts to 35 kt increasing to 45 kt in the afternoon. Seas 4 ft 
building to 7 ft in the afternoon.
.TONIGHT...N wind 35 kt diminishing to 25 kt after midnight. 
Seas 7 ft.
.THU...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...N wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

PKZ737-180200-
Marmot Bay-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...N wind 25 kt increasing to 35 kt in the afternoon. 
Gusts to 35 kt increasing to 45 kt in the afternoon. Seas 4 ft 
building to 7 ft in the afternoon.
.TONIGHT...N wind 35 kt diminishing to 25 kt after midnight. 
Seas 7 ft.
.THU...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.THU NIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...N wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

PKZ738-180200-
Shelikof Strait-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING THROUGH THURSDAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 30 kt becoming N 40 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas 6 ft building to 11 ft in the afternoon.
.TONIGHT...N wind 45 kt. Seas 15 ft.
.THU...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.SUN...N wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.

$$

PKZ742-180200-
Cook Inlet Kalgin Island to Point Bede-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TODAY...N wind increasing to 30 kt. Seas 9 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 10 ft. Freezing spray.
.THU...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 8 ft. Freezing spray.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.SUN...N wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.

$$

PKZ740-180200-
Cook Inlet North of Kalgin Island-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING TODAY...
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH THURSDAY...

.TODAY...N wind increasing to 30 kt. Seas in ice free waters 6 ft. 
Heavy freezing spray beginning late morning.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas in ice free waters 8 ft. Freezing spray.
.THU...NE wind 25 kt diminishing to 15 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas in ice free waters 6 ft subsiding to 3 ft in the afternoon. 
Freezing spray in the morning.
.THU NIGHT...E wind 10 kt. Seas in ice free waters 2 ft.
.FRI...N wind 10 kt. Seas in ice free waters 2 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...N wind 15 kt. Seas in ice free waters 4 ft.

$$

PKZ741-180200-
Kachemak Bay-
338 AM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...NE wind increasing to 25 kt. Gusts to 35 kt in the
afternoon. Seas building to 4 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Gusts to 30 kt early. Seas 4 ft. 
Freezing spray.
.THU...NE wind 15 kt diminishing to 10 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas 3 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SUN...N wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

371 
FZAK51 PAFC 180038
CWFAER

Coastal Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage Alaska
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

Coastal Waters Forecast for the Northern Gulf of Alaska Coast
up to 100 nm out including Kodiak Island and Cook Inlet.

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.

PKZ197-181330-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024
.SYNOPSIS FOR THE NORTH GULF COAST+KODIAK ISLAND WATERS+
COOK INLET...

High pressure persists across the Western Gulf through Fri 
afternoon. A trough moves across the Eastern Gulf through Fri 
afternoon.

$$

PKZ710-181330-
Cape Suckling to Gravel Point out to 15 NM-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 45 kt diminishing to 35 kt after midnight. Gusts
to 55 kt out of the Copper River Delta before midnight. Seas 6 ft.
.THU...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.THU NIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI AND FRI NIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.SUN...E wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.MON...E wind 25 kt. Seas 11 ft.

$$

PKZ711-181330-
Gravel Point to Cape Cleare out to 15 NM-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 40 kt diminishing to 30 kt after midnight. Seas
9 ft.
.THU...NE wind 20 kt in the morning becoming variable 10 kt. Seas
5 ft.
.THU NIGHT...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.FRI...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.SUN...E wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.MON...E wind 25 kt. Seas 11 ft.

$$

PKZ712-181330-
Cape Suckling to Cape Cleare from 15 to 75 NM-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 40 kt diminishing to 25 kt after midnight. Seas
11 ft.
.THU...E wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.THU NIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.FRI AND FRI NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.SAT...E wind 15 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.SUN...E wind 20 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.MON...E wind 20 kt. Seas 12 ft.

$$

PKZ715-181330-
Cape Cleare to Gore Point out to 15 NM-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 45 kt diminishing to 35 kt after midnight. Seas
6 ft.
.THU...NE wind 25 kt diminishing to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas
6 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.MON...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 11 ft.

$$

PKZ716-181330-
Cape Cleare to Gore Point from 15 to 75 NM-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 45 kt diminishing to 35 kt after midnight. Seas
12 ft.
.THU...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.MON...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 13 ft.

$$

PKZ714-181330-
Resurrection Bay-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 35 kt. Gusts to 50 kt diminishing to 35 kt after
midnight. Seas 7 ft.
.THU...N wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.THU NIGHT...N wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI AND FRI NIGHT...N wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...N wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$

PKZ724-181330-
Northwest Prince William Sound-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 40 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.THU...E wind 30 kt becoming SE 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 6 ft
subsiding to 2 ft in the afternoon.
.THU NIGHT...NW wind 10 kt in the evening becoming variable less
than 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI...Variable wind less than 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...N wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$

PKZ725-181330-
Central and Eastern Prince William Sound-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 45 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.THU...NE wind 30 kt diminishing to 20 kt in the afternoon. Seas
6 ft subsiding to 3 ft in the afternoon.
.THU NIGHT...N wind 10 kt increasing to 15 kt after midnight. Seas
2 ft.
.FRI...N wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ726-181330-
Southwest Prince William Sound-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 45 kt becoming NE 35 kt after midnight. Seas
10 ft.
.THU...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft subsiding to 2 ft in the
afternoon.
.THU NIGHT...N wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI AND FRI NIGHT...N wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ720-181330-
Port of Valdez-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 40 kt. Gusts to 65 kt diminishing to 45 kt after
midnight. Seas 7 ft.
.THU...NE wind 25 kt. Gusts to 40 kt in the morning. Seas 5 ft. 
Freezing spray.
.THU NIGHT...E wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI AND FRI NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$

PKZ721-181330-
Valdez Narrows-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING THROUGH THURSDAY...

.TONIGHT...N wind 40 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.THU...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 4 ft. Freezing spray.
.THU NIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 3 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI...N wind 25 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SAT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ722-181330-
Valdez Arm-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 40 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.THU...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI AND FRI NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.MON...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ723-181330-
Passage Canal-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

.TONIGHT...W wind 20 kt. Gusts to 30 kt near Whittier. Seas 2 ft.
.THU...W wind 10 kt increasing to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2
ft.
.THU NIGHT...W wind 15 kt diminishing to 10 kt after midnight.
Seas 2 ft.
.FRI...Variable wind less than 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...W wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...E wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.MON...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$

PKZ730-181330-
West of Barren Islands Including Kamishak Bay-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 35 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.THU...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.THU NIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.FRI...N wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.SAT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...N wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.

$$

PKZ731-181330-
Barren Islands East-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 35 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.THU...NE wind 25 kt diminishing to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas
7 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.FRI...N wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.SUN...N wind 25 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.MON...N wind 25 kt. Seas 12 ft.

$$

PKZ733-181330-
Gore Point to Marmot Island from 15 to 80 NM-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 40 kt diminishing to 30 kt after midnight. Seas
12 ft.
.THU...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.FRI AND FRI NIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.MON...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 14 ft.

$$

PKZ732-181330-
Marmot Island to Sitkinak out to 15 NM-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 35 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.THU...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.FRI AND FRI NIGHT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 13 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 13 ft.
.SUN...N wind 20 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.MON...N wind 20 kt. Seas 13 ft.

$$

PKZ734-181330-
Marmot Island To Sitkinak from 15 to 85 NM-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 40 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.THU...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 14 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 15 ft.
.FRI AND FRI NIGHT...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 17 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 14 ft.
.SUN...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 13 ft.
.MON...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 14 ft.

$$

PKZ736-181330-
Chiniak Bay-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH THURSDAY...

.TONIGHT...N wind 30 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.THU...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.FRI AND FRI NIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...N wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

PKZ737-181330-
Marmot Bay-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH THURSDAY...

.TONIGHT...N wind 30 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.THU...NE wind 25 kt diminishing to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas
7 ft subsiding to 4 ft in the afternoon.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.FRI...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...N wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.MON...N wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

PKZ738-181330-
Shelikof Strait-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 40 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.THU...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.FRI AND FRI NIGHT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...N wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.

$$

PKZ742-181330-
Cook Inlet Kalgin Island to Point Bede-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 35 kt. Seas 4 ft. Freezing spray.
.THU...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 3 ft. Freezing spray.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 2 ft building to 4 ft after
midnight. Freezing spray.
.FRI AND FRI NIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.SAT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...N wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.

$$

PKZ740-181330-
Cook Inlet North of Kalgin Island-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 30 kt. Seas in ice free waters 2 ft. Freezing
spray.
.THU...NE wind 20 kt. Seas in ice free waters 2 ft. Freezing
spray.
.THU NIGHT...Variable wind less than 10 kt. Seas in ice free
waters
2 ft.
.FRI...Variable wind less than 10 kt. Seas in ice free waters 2
ft.
.FRI NIGHT...N wind 10 kt. Seas in ice free waters 2 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...N wind 15 kt. Seas in ice free waters 4 ft.

$$

PKZ741-181330-
Kachemak Bay-
338 PM AKST Wed Jan 17 2024

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 4 ft. Freezing spray.
.THU...NE wind 15 kt diminishing to 10 kt in the afternoon. Seas
2 ft.
.THU NIGHT...Variable wind 10 kt except NE 15 kt in the outer bay.
Seas 2 ft.
.FRI AND FRI NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...N wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

874 
FZAK51 PAFC 181234
CWFAER

Coastal Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage Alaska
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

Coastal Waters Forecast for the Northern Gulf of Alaska Coast
up to 100 nm out including Kodiak Island and Cook Inlet.

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.

PKZ197-190130-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024
.SYNOPSIS FOR THE NORTH GULF COAST+KODIAK ISLAND WATERS+
COOK INLET...

High pressure persists across most of the northern Gulf through 
Sat morning. A series of frontal systems move across the southern
Gulf through Sat morning.

$$

PKZ710-190130-
Cape Suckling to Gravel Point out to 15 NM-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

...GALE WARNING THROUGH FRIDAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 35 kt. Gusts to 50 kt out of the Copper River Delta. 
Seas 7 ft.
.TONIGHT AND FRI...NE wind 35 kt. Gusts to 50 kt out of the 
Copper River Delta. Seas 7 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.SUN...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.MON...E wind 30 kt. Seas 10 ft.

$$

PKZ711-190130-
Gravel Point to Cape Cleare out to 15 NM-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TODAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 25 kt becoming N 15 kt by afternoon. 
Seas 5 ft.
.TONIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.FRI...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.MON...E wind 30 kt. Seas 9 ft.

$$

PKZ712-190130-
Cape Suckling to Cape Cleare from 15 to 75 NM-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TODAY AND FRIDAY...

.TODAY...E wind 30 kt becoming Ne 20 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas 11 ft.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...E wind 20 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...E wind 25 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.MON...SE wind 30 kt. Seas 9 ft.

$$

PKZ715-190130-
Cape Cleare to Gore Point out to 15 NM-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TODAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 30 kt diminishing to 20 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas 9 ft.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.SUN...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.MON...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 9 ft.

$$

PKZ716-190130-
Cape Cleare to Gore Point from 15 to 75 NM-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH FRIDAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 30 kt diminishing to 20 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas 10 ft.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft building to 11 ft 
in the afternoon.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...E wind 30 kt. Seas 10 ft.

$$

PKZ714-190130-
Resurrection Bay-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TODAY...

.TODAY...N wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.MON...N wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

PKZ724-190130-
Northwest Prince William Sound-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TODAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 30 kt becoming W 10 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas 7 ft subsiding to 2 ft in the afternoon.
.TONIGHT...NW wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI...Variable wind less than 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NW wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ725-190130-
Central and Eastern Prince William Sound-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TODAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 30 kt diminishing to 20 kt late. 
Seas 7 ft subsiding to 4 ft in the afternoon.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.FRI...N wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...E wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

PKZ726-190130-
Southwest Prince William Sound-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

.TODAY...N wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.TONIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.FRI AND FRI NIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

PKZ720-190130-
Port of Valdez-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TODAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 25 kt. Gusts to 40 kt. Seas 5 ft. 
.TONIGHT...E wind 20 kt. Gusts to 30 kt. Seas 4 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI...E wind 15 kt. Gusts to 30 kt. Seas 3 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI NIGHT...E wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.MON...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$

PKZ721-190130-
Valdez Narrows-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 40 kt early, diminishing to 30 kt. Seas 4 ft. 
.TONIGHT AND FRI...N wind 30 kt. Seas 3 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI NIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...N wind 35 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.MON...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ722-190130-
Valdez Arm-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 40 kt early, diminishing to 30 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.MON...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.

$$

PKZ723-190130-
Passage Canal-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

.TODAY...W wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.TONIGHT...W wind 15 kt. Gusts to 25 kt near Whittier. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI...W wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...W wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT...W wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$

PKZ730-190130-
West of Barren Islands Including Kamishak Bay-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.TONIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.FRI...N wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...N wind 35 kt. Seas 10 ft.

$$

PKZ731-190130-
Barren Islands East-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TODAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 30 kt diminishing to 20 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas 10 ft.
.TONIGHT AND FRI...N wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...N wind 30 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.MON...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 10 ft.

$$

PKZ733-190130-
Gore Point to Marmot Island from 15 to 80 NM-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH FRIDAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 13 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 13 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...E wind 30 kt. Seas 11 ft.

$$

PKZ732-190130-
Marmot Island to Sitkinak out to 15 NM-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 15 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 16 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 13 ft.
.SUN...N wind 30 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.MON...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 11 ft.

$$

PKZ734-190130-
Marmot Island To Sitkinak from 15 to 85 NM-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

...GALE WARNING THROUGH FRIDAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 40 kt. Seas 15 ft.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 16 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 19 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 19 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 14 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 11 ft.

$$

PKZ736-190130-
Chiniak Bay-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TODAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.TONIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft subsiding to 4 ft after midnight.
.FRI AND FRI NIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SAT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 7 ft.

$$

PKZ737-190130-
Marmot Bay-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TODAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.TONIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft subsiding to 3 ft 
after midnight.
.FRI AND FRI NIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...N wind 30 kt. Seas 6 ft.

$$

PKZ738-190130-
Shelikof Strait-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 40 kt diminishing to 30 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas 14 ft subsiding to 10 ft in the afternoon.
.TONIGHT THROUGH FRI NIGHT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 35 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...N wind 30 kt. Seas 9 ft.

$$

PKZ742-190130-
Cook Inlet Kalgin Island to Point Bede-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 8 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.SAT...N wind 35 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...N wind 30 kt. Seas 8 ft.

$$

PKZ740-190130-
Cook Inlet North of Kalgin Island-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TODAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 25 kt diminishing to 15 kt in the afternoon. 
Seas in ice free waters 6 ft subsiding to 3 ft in the afternoon. 
Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...E wind 10 kt in the evening becoming variable less 
than 10 kt. Seas in ice free waters 2 ft.
.FRI...Variable wind less than 10 kt becoming SE 10 kt in the
afternoon. Seas in ice free waters 1 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...SE wind 10 kt. Seas in ice free waters 2 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...N wind 20 kt. Seas in ice free waters 4 ft.

$$

PKZ741-190130-
Kachemak Bay-
334 AM AKST Thu Jan 18 2024

.TODAY...NE wind 15 kt. Gusts to 25 kt early. Seas 3 ft.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 15 kt diminishing to 10 kt after midnight. 
Seas 2 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...N wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.MON...N wind 30 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
534 AM AKST Tue Jan 16 2024

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

Key Messages:

*  Widespread windy conditions across Southcentral Alaska tonight
   through Wednesday night, with the strongest winds affecting the
   coastal communities of Valdez, Cordova, Seward, and Whittier.

*  Dry weather continues through the end of the week and colder
   temperatures settle in.

A high amplitude short-wave ridge over Southcentral will shift
to the south and east later today as a short-wave arrives from
western Alaska. A building ridge over the Bering Sea will cause
the short-wave to dig southeastward as it crosses Southcentral
tonight, reaching the northeast Gulf of Alaska early Wednesday.
Strong subsidence with the short-wave combined with moderate
to strong cold air advection and tightening surface pressure
gradients (as a 1048 mb surface high builds over the Alaska
Interior) will lead to widespread windy conditions across the
region. The strongest winds will be at elevation across area
mountain ranges as well as through gaps in the mountains. As is
typically the case, coastal communities will see the brunt of
the wind, as they are located on/near bays and passes through
the coastal Kenai and Chugach Mountains. Areas of fog in the
Anchorage and western Kenai Peninsula this morning, will dissipate
for good by this afternoon as low level cold air advection and
stronger low level winds arrive.

On Wednesday, the upper ridge over the Bering Sea will continue
to strengthen and shift eastward over mainland Alaska. Meanwhile,
short-waves will dig southward along the AL-CAN border into the
northeast Gulf, ultimately forming a vertically stacked low over
the eastern Gulf. Even colder air will advect south across the
Copper River Basin and Prince William Sound and into the Gulf. A
northerly jet between the low/trough and ridge will strengthen
right over Southcentral. Surface pressure gradients will continue
to tighten. All of this will lead to further strengthening of
winds across the region during the day Wednesday. Of particular
concern for potential damaging winds in this scenario are areas
on the poleward side of the jet (in this case areas to the east
of the jet). This includes eastern Prince William Sound and the
Valdez/Cordova areas. Cross-sections show a significant tropopause
fold developing, with high statically stable air descending from
the tropopause down toward the surface (or mountain-top level of
the Chugach Mountains). This acts like a ceiling and can help
force stronger winds down to the surface. This has served as a
good indicator for high winds in the past. As a result, have
upgraded the High Wind Watch for Valdez/Thompson Pass to a High
Wind Warning. Cordova is not as vulnerable to the strongest
mountain gap winds, but this still looks like a strong wind event
for them. The Copper River Delta, right at the exit of a large gap
through the Chugach Mountains from the Copper River Basin may see
the strongest winds at sea level, with 100 mph not out of the
question.

The initial direction of flow is not favorable for very strong
winds in Anchorage and the Matanuska Valley. However, as the
low deepens in the Gulf Wednesday afternoon and evening, the
upper ridge will nudge eastward across eastern Alaska into the
Yukon and the mean flow over Southcentral will shift to
northeasterly. This will lead to strengthening winds across the
Matanuska Valley and southward along Knik Arm, affecting north
to west Anchorage. These winds will peak Wednesday night.

Winds will diminish region-wide on Thursday through Thursday night
as the low in the Gulf exits southward to the Pacific and the
upper ridge builds into Southcentral. Winds will linger longest
along the coastal gaps. While the low level airmass will begin to
warm, lighter winds will allow for effective radiational cooling.
Thus, surface temperatures in most locations will trend lower
Wednesday night through Thursday night.

&&

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

A decaying front extending from the central Aleutian Islands,
across the eastern Bering Sea, and into the Kuskokwim Delta this
morning will push eastward today, bringing less than an inch of
snow accumulation to the Delta and portions of the Lower Kuskokwim
Valley. While the primary precipitation type is expected to be
snow, a lack of mid and upper-level moisture accompanying the
front may lead to some periods of light freezing drizzle. Any ice
accumulation should be no more than a trace, but communities
across the Kuskokwim Delta should still be wary of possible slick
spots this morning. Patchy fog will be another concern this
morning, mainly along the eastern foothills of the Kilbuck and
Ahklun Mountains, extending along a line from Aleknagik north
through Sleetmute. This fog has been gradually eroding and should
mix out today as the front pushes eastward and increases low-level
northwesterly winds and cold air moving in aloft leads to a more
unstable atmospheric profile.

Low stratus is likely to linger over the Kuskokwim Delta today,
but clears out tonight as surface high pressure centers over
Interior Alaska while a potent shortwave trough dropping into the
Gulf of Alaska leads to increasingly northerly wind across the
region. This northerly flow will bring in a cooler, drier air mass
which will be unfavorable for fog and low stratus, meaning
Southwest Alaska will likely see a fairly sunny and clear week
ahead. For the Alaska Peninsula and the Aleutians, expect winds as
strong as gale force to develop around the periphery of the ridge
beginning today as weak shortwave troughs rotate around it,
accompanied by periods of light rain for the central and western
Aleutians through Thursday night.

&&

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

An upper-level ridge will be situated over Southern Alaska and
the Bering Sea, suppressing active weather across our region
through next week. While the high pressure is in place through the
remainder of this workweek, a clear and cool pattern will prevail
for most of Southcentral and Southwest Alaska. With the high
pressure system centered over Southwest Alaska, models are keying
in on some low pressure system originating from the Gulf of Anadyr
and the Northern Pacific to move up the western-most Bering sea
and ride the northern edge of the ridge into Western Alaska.
Pockets of energy are coming up and over the northern side of the
ridge, bringing up the winds across Southcentral and out of the
local gaps. Potentially strong and gusty winds with colder
temperatures will likely be the impact felt for Southcentral and
Southwest through the latter half of the week into the weekend.
Areas of outflow winds develop along the Alaska Peninsula and
Southcentral Coasts, with gale force gap winds through the Barren
Islands and Shelikof Strait and along the Alaska Peninsula Coast
into the Eastern Aleutians developing for Thursday and diminishing
Friday. Gaps such as Seward, Thompson Pass, and Matanuska Valley
will be feeling some gusty winds by Friday potentially diminishing
by the early weekend. Model solutions are suggesting an unusual
retrograde of the ridge, advancing the high pressure to the
northwest into the weekend. By Saturday afternoon, there is the
potential for a new low to approach coastal Southcentral from the
Gulf of Alaska, however uncertainty on this system remains high.
As the new low pressure system develops in the Gulf early next
weekend, the potential for moderate to heavy snow to return to the
Prince William Sound area by late this weekend into early next
week.

-CL

&&

.AVIATION...

PANC...Calm and variable winds will persist through tonight and
early Wednesday morning. Conditions are favorable for fog
development until winds start to increase late Wednesday morning.
Fog could move into the terminal at any time, dropping vis and
cigs as low as LIFR. Gusty northerly winds will develop by early
Wednesday afternoon, with gusts up to 45 mph possible around
midnight Wednesday.

&&