Alert archive / Alaska / Gale Warnings in 2025

Gale Warning 76, NWS Anchorage, AK

January 19, 2025

NWS Anchorage, AK issued this gale warning at Jan 19, 2025, 3:01 PM AKST. It was in force for 61 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jan 19, 2025, 3:01 PM AKST (00:01 UTC)
Expired
Jan 22, 2025, 3:43 AM AKST
In force
61 hr
Issued by
NWS Anchorage, AK

The text

As transmitted.

567 
FZAK62 PAFC 200001
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
301 PM AKST Sun Jan 19 2025

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.

PKZ499-201600-
301 PM AKST Sun Jan 19 2025
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 988 mb low at 48N 179W moves to 50N 172W at 986 mb by Mon 
afternoon. The low turns to the northeast and crosses the 
Aleutians Tue morning, reaching 56N 163W at 986 mb by Tue 
afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-201600-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
301 PM AKST Sun Jan 19 2025

.TONIGHT...NW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.MON...W wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.MON NIGHT...SW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 ft. Snow and rain.
.TUE...SW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 11 ft.
.WED...NE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...NW wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 13 to 18 ft.

$$

PKZ412-201600-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
301 PM AKST Sun Jan 19 2025

...GALE WARNING MONDAY AND MONDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 7 ft. Freezing spray.
.MON...N wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Snow. Freezing spray.
.MON NIGHT...N wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...S wind up to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft.
.WED...SE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 15 ft.

$$

PKZ413-201600-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
301 PM AKST Sun Jan 19 2025

...GALE WARNING MONDAY AND MONDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Snow.
.MON...N wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 15 ft. Snow.
.MON NIGHT...NW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.TUE...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...SW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 11 ft.
.WED...S wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 17 ft.

$$

PKZ414-201600-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
301 PM AKST Sun Jan 19 2025

...GALE WARNING MONDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 ft. Rain.
.MON...NE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Snow with rain.
Freezing spray.
.MON NIGHT...NE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Rain. Freezing
spray.
.TUE...N wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.WED...S wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft.
.THU...S wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 11 to 16 ft.
.FRI...W wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.

$$
5 follow-up statements
306 
FZAK62 PAFC 201202
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
302 AM AKST Mon Jan 20 2025

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.

PKZ499-210330-
302 AM AKST Mon Jan 20 2025
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 988 mb low at 50N 172W Mon morning moves to 48N 163W Tue
morning then dissipates. A 991 mb low at 52N 161W Tue morning 
moves to 57N 159W Wed morning then dissipates. A 983 mb low at 50N
172E Tue evening moves to 57N 178E Wed evening. 

$$

PKZ411-210330-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
302 AM AKST Mon Jan 20 2025

.TODAY...W wind 10 to 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.TONIGHT...SW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 7 ft. Snow.
.TUE...SW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft. Snow.
.TUE NIGHT...S wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.WED THROUGH FRI...W wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft.

$$

PKZ412-210330-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
302 AM AKST Mon Jan 20 2025

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...N wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Snow.
Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...N wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE NIGHT...S wind up to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 8 ft.
.WED THROUGH FRI...W wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.

$$

PKZ413-210330-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
302 AM AKST Mon Jan 20 2025

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TUESDAY...

.TODAY...N wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft. Snow.
.TONIGHT...NW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.TUE...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Rain and snow.
.TUE NIGHT...SW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.WED THROUGH FRI...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.

$$

PKZ414-210330-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
302 AM AKST Mon Jan 20 2025

...GALE WARNING TUESDAY...

.TODAY...E wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 5 to 9 ft. Snow. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE...N wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft. Rain.
.TUE NIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.WED...S wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.
.THU...S wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 15 to 23 ft.
.FRI...SW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 16 ft.

$$
542 
FZAK62 PAFC 210029
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
329 PM AKST Mon Jan 20 2025

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.

PKZ499-211515-
329 PM AKST Mon Jan 20 2025
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 991 mb low at 52N 161W moves to 58N 162W at 987 mb Tue evening,
then moves inland over Southwest Alaska Wed morning. Another low
moves to 53N 175E at 979 mb Wed morning and then moves to 58N 178E
at 981 mb Wed afternoon.

$$

PKZ411-211515-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
329 PM AKST Mon Jan 20 2025

.TONIGHT...SW wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 7 ft. Snow.
.TUE...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Rain and snow.
.TUE NIGHT...SE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Rain and snow.
.WED...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft.
.WED NIGHT...W wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 16 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...W wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.
.SAT...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 9 to 12 ft.

$$

PKZ412-211515-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
329 PM AKST Mon Jan 20 2025

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE NIGHT...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft. Rain and snow.
.WED...SE wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.
.WED NIGHT...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.THU THROUGH SAT...W wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 16 ft.

$$

PKZ413-211515-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
329 PM AKST Mon Jan 20 2025

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TUESDAY...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft. Snow.
.TUE...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Rain and snow.
.TUE NIGHT...SW wind 10 to 25 kt becoming S 20 to 30 kt after
midnight. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Rain.
.WED...S wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 15 ft.
.WED NIGHT...W wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 12 to 17 ft.
.THU...NW wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 16 ft.

$$

PKZ414-211515-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
329 PM AKST Mon Jan 20 2025

...GALE WARNING TUESDAY...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Rain. Freezing
spray.
.TUE...N wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft. Rain. Freezing spray.
.TUE NIGHT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.WED...S wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.WED NIGHT...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.
.THU...S wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft.
.FRI...SW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 10 to 16 ft.
.SAT...W wind 25 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.

$$
679 
FZAK62 PAFC 211311
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
411 AM AKST Tue Jan 21 2025

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.

PKZ499-220215-
411 AM AKST Tue Jan 21 2025
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 988 mb low at 54N 160W moves to 57N 162W at 987 mb Tue evening,
then moves inland over Southwest Alaska Wed morning. A 983mb low
50N 169E Tue evening moves to 58N 178W Wed evening then dissipates.

$$

PKZ411-220215-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
411 AM AKST Tue Jan 21 2025

...GALE WARNING WEDNESDAY...

.TODAY...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Rain and snow.
.TONIGHT...SE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Rain and snow.
.WED...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft. Snow and rain.
.WED NIGHT...W wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 12 to 16 ft.
.THU THROUGH SAT...W wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.

$$

PKZ412-220215-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
411 AM AKST Tue Jan 21 2025

.TODAY...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 5 to 10 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft. Rain and snow.
.WED...SE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Rain and snow.
.WED NIGHT...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...SW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 15 to 23 ft.
.SAT...W wind 30 kt. Seas 12 to 15 ft.

$$

PKZ413-220215-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
411 AM AKST Tue Jan 21 2025

...GALE WARNING WEDNESDAY...

.TODAY...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Rain and snow.
.TONIGHT...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft. Rain.
.WED...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 11 to 16 ft. Rain.
.WED NIGHT...W wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 11 to 18 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...W wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft.
.SAT...W wind 30 kt. Seas 11 to 14 ft.

$$

PKZ414-220215-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
411 AM AKST Tue Jan 21 2025

...GALE WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

.TODAY...N wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft. Rain.
.TONIGHT...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Freezing spray.
.WED...S wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Rain.
.WED NIGHT...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.
.THU...S wind 40 to 55 kt. Seas 15 to 30 ft.
.FRI...SW wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft.
.SAT...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 12 ft.

$$
016 
FZAK62 PAFC 220008
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
308 PM AKST Tue Jan 21 2025

Offshore Waters Forecast for the Bering Sea

Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction
expected. Sea forecasts represent an average of the highest
one-third of the combined wind wave and swell height.

PKZ499-221445-
308 PM AKST Tue Jan 21 2025
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 986 mb low at 58N 162W moves to 59N 160W at 993 mb Tue evening,
then moves inland over Southwest Alaska Wed afternoon. A 985 mb 
low at 50N 170E moves to 60N 180W Thu morning at 979 mb then 
dissipates.

$$

PKZ411-221445-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
308 PM AKST Tue Jan 21 2025

...GALE WARNING WEDNESDAY...

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

$$

PKZ412-221445-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
308 PM AKST Tue Jan 21 2025

.TONIGHT...SE wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 9 ft. Rain and snow.
.WED...SE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Rain with snow.
.WED NIGHT...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.THU...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.THU NIGHT...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 12 to 19 ft.

$$

PKZ413-221445-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
308 PM AKST Tue Jan 21 2025

...GALE WARNING WEDNESDAY...

.TONIGHT...S wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft. Rain.
.WED...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 11 to 15 ft. Rain.
.WED NIGHT...W wind 20 to 30 kt diminishing to 10 to 25 kt after
midnight. Seas 11 to 16 ft. Rain and snow.
.THU...N wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.
.THU NIGHT...W wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 11 to 16 ft.

$$

PKZ414-221445-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
308 PM AKST Tue Jan 21 2025

...GALE WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Freezing spray.
.WED...S wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Rain.
.WED NIGHT...SW wind 30 to 45 kt diminishing to 20 to 35 kt after
midnight. Seas 12 to 20 ft. Rain.
.THU...S wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 15 to 23 ft.
.THU NIGHT...S wind 40 to 55 kt. Seas 17 to 29 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.

$$
617 
FZAK62 PAFC 221243
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
343 AM AKST Wed Jan 22 2025

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.

PKZ499-230230-
343 AM AKST Wed Jan 22 2025
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A front crosses the Aleutians and reaches the Southwest coast 
this evening. A 985 mb low at 50N 177W Thu morning moves to 56N
170W Thu evening then 60N 170W Fri morning.

$$

PKZ411-230230-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
343 AM AKST Wed Jan 22 2025

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...NW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft. Rain and snow.
Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...W wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 12 to 16 ft. Freezing spray.
.THU...NW wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 12 to 16 ft. Freezing spray.
.THU NIGHT...W wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 13 to 17 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft.

$$

PKZ412-230230-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
343 AM AKST Wed Jan 22 2025

.TODAY...SE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Rain and snow.
.TONIGHT...SW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.
.THU...W wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 11 to 14 ft. Rain. Freezing spray.
.THU NIGHT...W wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft.
.FRI...SW wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 12 to 19 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.

$$

PKZ413-230230-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
343 AM AKST Wed Jan 22 2025

...GALE WARNING TODAY AND THURSDAY...

.TODAY...SW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 11 to 16 ft. Rain.
.TONIGHT...W wind 20 to 30 kt diminishing to 10 to 25 kt after
midnight. Seas 11 to 16 ft. Rain and snow.
.THU...SE wind 10 to 20 kt becoming S 35 to 45 kt E of 173W in the
afternoon. NW wind 30 to 40 kt W of 173W. Seas 11 to 19 ft. Rain and snow.
.THU NIGHT...W wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 16 ft.

$$

PKZ414-230230-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
343 AM AKST Wed Jan 22 2025

...STORM WARNING THURSDAY...

.TODAY...S wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft. Rain.
.TONIGHT...SW wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft. Rain.
.THU...S wind 30 to 45 kt increasing to 40 to 55 kt in the afternoon.
Seas 14 to 22 ft. Rain and snow.
.THU NIGHT...S wind 40 to 55 kt. Seas 17 to 29 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this gale warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Anchorage, AK wrote its last area forecast discussion before this gale warning went out at Jan 19, 5:40 AM AKST, 9 hours 21 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 19, 5:40 AM AKST, 9 hours 21 minutes before
Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
540 AM AKST Sun Jan 19 2025

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

Active weather is currently underway across Southcentral Alaska with
the primary weather concerns being 1) Strong Wind through Turnagain
Arm, Anchorage Hillside, and Upper Elevations of Eagle River and 2)
Heavy snow in Turnagain Pass and Thompson Pass.

GOES satellite imagery shows troughing extending from the eastern
Bering Sea southward into the Western Gulf of Alaska and into the
North Pacific. Strong upper-level support is evident, with a North-
South oriented jet streak exceeding 100kts at 250mb centered across
the Gulf of Alaska, promoting large-scale lift and surface
cyclogenesis along the effective triple point of the frontal
system off the coast of Kodiak Island. Moisture transport is
robust with this system, with uninterrupted deep southerly flow
stretching all the way from the Central Pacific, not too far from
Hawaii. In fact, the North American Ensemble Forecast System
(NAEFS) Mean Integrated Water Vapor Transport (IVT) shows values
near/at max percentiles across the Gulf of Alaska,
meeting/surpassing what's been observed historically this time of
year. In other words, significant poleward atmospheric moisture
transport is currently underway, with the Chugach Mountains as the
recipient for this impressive atmospheric river.

Mosaic radar imagery shows precipitation covering much of the Gulf
of Alaska, as well as portions of the Cook Inlet into the Mat-Su
Valley. Snow levels appear to be in the 500-1000ft range across the
eastern Kenai Peninsula at the moment based on several observations
and webcams, with occasional heavier bands of precipitation dragging
the snow levels down closer to sea level, particularly evident
across Whittier-Portage at times. The Turnagain Pass SNOTEL site
which sits just a few hundred feet above the road level has averaged
nearly 1 inch an hour overnight, with temperatures hovering near 30
degrees. These snow rates will likely continue through the first
part of the morning before tapering down a bit as the atmospheric
river shifts east. A Winter Weather Advisory remains in place
through this evening, with the bulk of snowfall likely occurring
before noon.

Similarly, heavy snowfall is expected for Thompson Pass with 2 to 3
feet of snowfall expected. Uncertainty remains for Valdez, where low-
level warm air intrusion may result in a rain/freezing rain mix at
times. Can't rule out mixed precipitation at times north through
the Edgerton Highway. Snow will be the primary type, though any
rain on cold and snow-covered surfaces will result in slick
conditions.

Moving farther north, 5 to 10 inches of snowfall can be expected
closer to Paxson and Isabel Pass, as well as from Talkeetna north
through Broad Pass. Like snowfall may linger into early Monday as
upslope southerly flow through these valleys is expected to
result in light upslope snowfall before dry air finally shuts
things down.

For Anchorage and the Mat Valley, while light precipitation has
already been observed, the best chance for accumulating snowfall
will be this afternoon into the evening with the passage of the
upper-level trough and the associated deformation band on the
backside of a eastern Kenai / western Prince William Sound low. The
most likely scenario is that of 0.5-1.0" inches of snowfall in a
quick period with temperatures hovering near or even above freezing,
limiting accumulation. However, quite a few outliers exist in
guidance suggesting 2-4 inches isn't out of the realm of
possibility.

With regards to the wind threat, winds across the areas of concern
have been slow to materialize this morning with winds across Portage
Valley generally less than 40 mph and across the Anchorage Hillside
less than 30 mph. This may partially be attributed to the strong
down inlet gradient in place, as well as stable level air as
observed in the 12z ANC sounding. Will leave the high wind warning
hoisted as we often don't see strong winds materialize until the
front or trough feature lifts north. Should winds begin to mix
down to the surface, it still remains possible for gusts in excess
of 70 mph to reach the Anchorage Hillside this morning.

Precipitation and winds abate Sunday night into Monday with upper-
level ridging shifting east, giving much of Southcentral AK a
reprieve in the active weather on Monday.

By Tuesday, yet another frontal system similar to today's will begin
to pivot across the western Gulf of Alaska, bringing precipitation
first to Kodiak Island and then the eastern Kenai Peninsula. While
the details of the general synoptic wave pattern are a bit different
than the current system, expect generally similar sensible weather
with mild temps, low-level snow/rain, upper-level snow, and probably
no snow for Anchorage.

-Brown

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHWEST ALASKA AND THE BERING
SEA/ALEUTIANS (Sunday morning to Wednesday morning)...

A compact surface low is lifting north across the Kuskokwim
Delta, creating areas of light precipitation across Southwest.
Light snow will fall at higher elevations, while areas of light
rain may be found across the rest of the region.

Meanwhile, a North Pacific low is bringing gale force winds and
rain to the western and central Aleutians today as its low center
tracks just south of the Aleutian Chain, sending its front into
the Bering Sea and Southwest mainland. Entrainment of colder mid-
level air from the central Bering will increase the potential for
snow in the Pribilof Islands, Nunivak Island and Kuskokwim Delta
this week. Wind gusts up to 45 mph and light to moderate snow
rates may cause periodic visibility reduction below one-half mile.
Expect snowfall totals up to 6 inches between Monday morning and
Tuesday morning for the Pribilof Islands.

This system crosses the AKPen and lifts toward the Kuskokwim
Delta Tuesday and Wednesday. The next North Pacific low approaches
the Western Aleutians on Wednesday morning. Current model
projections indicate high confidence that precipitation could
continue through the end of the week for Southwest Alaska, with
lower confidence concerning precipitation type and the exact
tracks beyond Wednesday.

&&

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

The active weather pattern over Alaska will continue as a number
of upper level shortwaves rotate across the region through the
forecast period. Late in the week, additional energy from a
transient North Pacific low will add to the movement.

Some lingering areas of rain moving across the southcentral
coasts Wednesday will have a brief reprieve Thursday. The next low
brings locally heavy rain, or a rain and snow mix spreading
across southwest Alaska, the northern AKPEN and Kodiak Island for
Friday, with rain and snow moving into the Kenai and south central
Alaska for Saturday.

Baker

&&

AVIATION...

PANC...

Northerly to northwesterly winds continue through this morning.
However, southeasterly to southerly winds ranging from 30 to 50
kt from 1500 ft to 2500 ft continuing the likelihood of low-
level wind shear into Sunday afternoon. Light precipitation
causing VFR to IFR conditions this morning and afternoon before
1500 ft to 2500 ft winds shift southerly to southeasterly wind
shift and IFR conditions return this evening.

&&

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jan 19, 2:41 PM AKST, 20 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
241 PM AKST Sun Jan 19 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0807 AM     Snow             5 E Valdez              61.11N 146.22W
01/19/2025  M6.2 Inch        Chugach            AK   CO-OP Observer

            Snowing heavily at time of report. Snow
            water equivalent of 0.54 inches.

&&

AS

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 19, 3:00 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC38 hr
Jan 19, 3:00 PM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC24 hr
Jan 19, 3:16 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC7 days
Jan 19, 3:16 PM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC24 hr
Jan 19, 3:17 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC4 days
Jan 20, 3:31 AM AKSTGale WarningAFC4 days
Jan 20, 3:31 AM AKSTGale WarningAFC36 hr
Jan 20, 3:31 AM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC72 hr

Nearby

Gale Warnings in Alaska, 2025Every gale warning in 2025

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text.