Alert archive / Alaska / Small Craft Advisories in 2025

Small Craft Advisory 39, NWS Anchorage, AK

January 13, 2025

NWS Anchorage, AK issued this small craft advisory at Jan 13, 2025, 4:05 AM AKST. It was in force for 24 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jan 13, 2025, 4:05 AM AKST (13:05 UTC)
Expired
Jan 14, 2025, 3:45 AM AKST
In force
24 hr
Issued by
NWS Anchorage, AK

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this small craft advisory 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 small craft advisory went out at Jan 12, 7:12 PM AKST, 8 hours 53 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 12, 7:12 PM AKST, 8 hours 53 minutes before
Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion...CORRECTED
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
712 PM AKST Sun Jan 12 2025

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

A Southcentral storm system is finally winding down this
afternoon, though winds will remain gusty into Monday. High Wind
Warnings from the Mat Valley to Anchorage to Cordova have since
been allowed to expire as well. It seems only fitting to list
some of the maximum wind gusts that were observed across
Southcentral over the past 24 hours:

* Alyeska Max's Mountain 106 mph
* Anchorage Hillside 110 mph
* Arctic Valley 107 mph (stopped reporting at 11am)
* Bird Point (Seward Hwy) 63 mph
* Cordova 74 mph
* Glen Alps 84 mph
* Glenn Hwy (MP34.5) 73 mph
* Hatch Peak (Hatcher Pass) 89 mph
* Lake Hood 59 mph
* Merrill Field 66 mph
* Palmer Airport 66 mph
* Portage Glacier 79 mph
* S-Curves (Eagle River) 62 mph
* South Fork (Eagle River) 78 mph
* Ted Stevens Int'l Airport 62 mph

On satellite, a large upper low is lifting over Nunivak Island
and the YK Delta. Its front, with widespread showers and gusty
winds, stretches from interior Alaska down into the Gulf of
Alaska. Gusty winds, albeit not as strong as this morning, will
continue into Monday across much of Southcentral, helping to keep
surface temperatures above freezing tonight. Heavy rains across
the MatSu down into Anchorage and down to Seward have inundated
many roads with ponding water. A brief break in precipitation on
Monday and continued winds will hopefully allow roadways to dry
before temperatures do drop below freezing Monday night into
Tuesday morning.

Elsewhere, a winter storm warning is ongoing for Thompson Pass
where additional snow showers will persist into Monday with
snowfall rates ranging anywhere from 1 to 3 inches per hour. North
of Thompson Pass, into the Copper River Basin and along the
Richardson Highway, a winter weather advisory also continues. A
wintry mix of precipitation is occurring along the Richardson
Highway south of the Edgerton Highway south to Thompson Pass.
Precipitation will be heavy at times through Monday morning. For
the Glenn Highway corridor west of Glennallen the heaviest snow is
occurring now and will taper off later this evening. Snow,
blowing snow, freezing rain, and rain will all be possible,
resulting in hazardous travel conditions.

As has been advertised, a change in the weather pattern will
allow seasonal temperatures to return for the upcoming week along
with a couple chances of snow for Anchorage. The first of the
chances will occur on Monday night/Tuesday morning as an area of
low pressure approaches the Gulf coast. At this time it appears
that moisture will be limited with the surface low a little too
far east of Prince William Sound, leading to very minor
accumulations if any. Should the track of the low trend further
west there will be a better opportunity for measurable snow. Stay
tuned.

BL

&&

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

The large storm-force low pressure system in the eastern Bering
Sea is continuing to produce gusty easterly winds across the
Eastern Aleutians and Alaska Peninsula. Rain and snow will
continue for Southwest Alaska through tonight, though
precipitation has become more showery in nature as colder air
continues to wrap in behind the system leading to minimal
additional snow accumulation through this evening before tapering
off overnight. As the storm continues to lift northward along the
western Alaskan coast this evening, winds will pick back up and
turn westerly- southwesterly for Southwest Alaska with sustained
winds of 30 to 35 mph along the coast.

Southwesterly winds contribute to continued coastal flooding
potential, with a Coastal Flood Advisory remaining in effect for
the Kuskokwim Delta coast, particularly between Kipnuk and
Kwigillingok coincident with high tide tonight and Monday evening.
A High Surf Advisory also remains in effect as the strong onshore
push of winds through Bristol Bay will bring elevated water
levels there as well for high tide tonight through early Monday
morning. The main threat with this is likely to be high surf and
potential for coastal erosion along the Bristol Bay coast.

Out west, a compact gale-force low tracks near the western
Aleutians. With a cold air mass moving into the western Bering
Sea, there is also potential for blowing snow for those islands
this evening through Monday morning, however the showery nature of
precipitation will likely make visibility reductions below one
mile intermittent. The cold air mass spreads across the Bering Sea
and into Southwest Alaska with the northward exit of the large
low tonight, dropping temperatures into the 20s for Monday, the
teens Monday night, and single digits by Tuesday night. Expect
this colder air mass to also bring drier conditions across the
region as well for the beginning of the week. The gale force low
over the western Bering tracks into the northern Bering for
Tuesday, spreading snow showers as far as the Pribilof Islands
before diminishing by Wednesday morning.

-JH/Quesada

&&

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

On the Alaska Weather map, an elongated upper level trough
stretching from the Russian Far East across the Aleutians and
Bering. This trough gets a little boost from passing shortwaves to
reorient over Southwest Alaska and the Gulf of Alaska for
midweek, before continuing its Eastward track into Canada by
Thursday. An upper ridge building across the Western Aleutians
Tuesday moves to extend across the Gulf of Alaska and Western
Alaska into Northeast Russia through the end of the week.
Deterministic GFS and ECMWF carry the features and changes well
through Thursday with the Canadian models joining up into the
weekend.

A decaying surface low on the Southcentral coast spreads locally
heavy rains along the coastal locations, with locally heavy snow
further inland and over higher elevations through Wednesday. A
second low over the Shumagin Islands brings mostly rain with snow
over Bristol Bay from the Eastern Aleutians, Alaskan Peninsula and
Kodiak Island through midweek, before moving over the Kenai
Peninsula before dissipating over Prince William Sound Thursday.
Bands of snow progress across the Bering through Thursday. A well
developed North Pacific low and fronts spreads snow changing to
rain across the Western and Central Aleutians Wednesday and
continues over The Bering, Southwest Alaska and the AKPEN by
Friday. Gusty winds with gale force gusts work their way from the
Central Aleutians over the AKPEN and Bering through Friday.

&&

.AVIATION...

PANC...Winds have finally eased up a bit across Anchorage as the
strong front and associated shortwave trough lift north of the
area. While winds are relatively gusty now out of the Turnagain
Arm, stronger southerly flow will ensue later this evening and
through the overnight hours as cold air advection strengthens
behind another trough. Scattered rain showers are also possible,
but should be generally light in nature. Confidence is low on
whether up-inlet flow will bring MVFR-CIGs to the terminal, or if
ceilings remain VFR. Conditions should improve altogether tomorrow
in wake of the system, with winds abating by late morning.

&&

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jan 13, 1:20 AM AKST, 2 hours 45 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
120 AM AKST Mon Jan 13 2025

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

0100 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 W Anchorage (Northeas 61.21N 149.77W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Several trees and branches down. Debris
            flying in stronger gusts. Damage to roof and
            fence.

&&

AS
Local storm report, Jan 13, 1:21 AM AKST, 2 hours 44 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
121 AM AKST Mon Jan 13 2025

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

0129 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 E Anchorage (Oceanvie 61.09N 149.84W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Report from mPING: 3-inch tree limbs broken;
            Power poles broken.

&&

AS
Local storm report, Jan 13, 1:22 AM AKST, 2 hours 43 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
122 AM AKST Mon Jan 13 2025

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

0136 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 E Anchorage (Oceanvie 61.11N 149.85W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Report from mPING: Trees uprooted or
            snapped; Roof blown off.

&&

AS
Local storm report, Jan 13, 1:24 AM AKST, 2 hours 41 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
124 AM AKST Mon Jan 13 2025

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

0300 PM     Snow             8 SE Eagle River        61.23N 149.44W
01/12/2025  M7.5 Inch        Anchorage          AK   NWS Employee

            Snowfall was very wet. Snow drifting over 2
            feet in places. Near zero visibility with
            very strong winds while snow was falling.

&&

AS
Local storm report, Jan 13, 1:27 AM AKST, 2 hours 38 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Corrected
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
127 AM AKST Mon Jan 13 2025

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

1043 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 W Anchorage (Hillside 61.13N 149.76W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 1
            W Anchorage (Hillside East). Trees and
            branches down. Sideways rain and power out
            as of 10:00 AM.

&&

AS
Local storm report, Jan 13, 1:28 AM AKST, 2 hours 37 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
128 AM AKST Mon Jan 13 2025

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

0822 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 NW Butte              61.57N 149.10W
01/12/2025                   Matanuska-Susitna  AK   Public

            Report from mPING: Trees uprooted or
            snapped; Roof blown off.

0824 AM     Flood            2 NW Butte              61.57N 149.10W
01/12/2025                   Matanuska-Susitna  AK   Public

            Report from mPING: River/Creek overflowing;
            Cropland/Yard/Basement Flooding.

0830 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 NW Knik-Fairview      61.54N 149.65W
01/12/2025                   Matanuska-Susitna  AK   Public

            Multiple trees blown down on property. Roof
            blew off of a woodshed and scattered debris
            over nearby roadway.

1051 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Wasilla                 61.58N 149.46W
01/12/2025                   Matanuska-Susitna  AK   Public

            Downed trees near Pittman/Church.

1112 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 NW Butte              61.57N 149.10W
01/12/2025                   Matanuska-Susitna  AK   Public

            Very strong winds snapped multiple trees.
            Power outages reported in the nearby area.

1113 AM     Rain             2 NW Butte              61.57N 149.10W
01/12/2025  M0.81 Inch       Matanuska-Susitna  AK   Public

1241 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 W Palmer              61.61N 149.18W
01/12/2025                   Matanuska-Susitna  AK   Public

            Numerous branches down on property with at
            least one downed birch tree.

1247 PM     Flood            Palmer                  61.60N 149.11W
01/12/2025                   Matanuska-Susitna  AK   Public

            Downtown Palmer, several streets flooded.

0137 PM     Rain             3 W Palmer              61.60N 149.21W
01/12/2025  M0.92 Inch       Matanuska-Susitna  AK   Public

0212 PM     Flash Flood      Palmer                  61.60N 149.11W
01/12/2025                   Matanuska-Susitna  AK   Public

            Ponding water reported on several roadways
            within the city of Palmer.

0200 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 NW Sterling           60.55N 150.81W
01/12/2025                   Kenai Peninsula    AK   Public

            Power outage lasting 13 hours reported due
            to strong winds.

1036 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 W Kenai               60.56N 151.28W
01/12/2025                   Kenai Peninsula    AK   Public

1116 AM     Rain             1 S Crown Point         60.42N 149.37W
01/12/2025  M2.70 Inch       Kenai Peninsula    AK   Public

            Corrects previous rain report from 1 S Crown
            Point. 2.7 inches since midnight, non stop
            but varying intensity. Temps btwn 33.4-35.6
            and precip switches to heavy wet snow/mix
            occasionally but mostly rain. Our
            semi-sheltered weather station has max gust
            of 22 mph at 6am but nearby Kenai Lake RAWS
            shows 33 mph. No downed trees or damage from
            wind, but report of one tree in highway
            nearby earlier. Approx 1 inch of slush and
            areas of pooled water in yard.

1117 AM     Landslide        Seward                  60.11N 149.44W
01/12/2025                   Kenai Peninsula    AK   Public

            Facebook reports of small landslide on
            Lowell Point Road.

1021 AM     Snow             5 E Valdez              61.11N 146.22W
01/12/2025  M2.9 Inch        Chugach            AK   Public

            Very heavy, wet snowfall overnight. Total
            snow water equivalent of 1.52 inches. Snow
            changed to heavy rain at time of report.

0200 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 S Anchorage (Campbell 61.16N 149.81W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Parts of fence blown down due to strong
            winds, including the fence gate. Spruce tops
            bending nearly parallel to ground in strong
            winds.

0330 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Anchorage (Bear Valley) 61.07N 149.73W
01/12/2025  M111 MPH         Anchorage          AK   Public

            Damage to rooftops and other smaller
            structures on property. Wind gust of 111 mph
            was from nearest weather station to the
            residence.

0441 AM     Snow             1 NE Anchorage (Mountai 61.23N 149.81W
01/12/2025  M0.3 Inch        Anchorage          AK   Public

0442 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Anchorage (South Additi 61.21N 149.91W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Partial collapse of the footbridge crossing
            the Seward Hwy near Dearmoun.

0442 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Anchorage (Potter Valle 61.05N 149.77W
01/12/2025  M91 MPH          Anchorage          AK   CO-OP Observer

0911 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NE Anchorage (Sand La 61.16N 149.94W
01/12/2025  M34 MPH          Anchorage          AK   Public

0940 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 9 SE Anchorage          61.10N 149.72W
01/12/2025  M89 MPH          Anchorage          AK   Trained Spotter

            89 mph peak wind gust early this morning.
            Gusts in the low 70s at time of report.
            Horizontal falling snow, reducing
            visibility.

1043 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 W Anchorage (Hillside 61.13N 149.76W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 1
            W Anchorage (Hillside East). Trees and
            branches down. Sideways rain and power out
            as of 10:00 AM.

1048 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Anchorage (Bear Valley) 61.07N 149.72W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Windows blown out on multiple houses. Broken
            arm from attempt to secure a door.

1049 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 W Anchorage (Rabbit C 61.07N 149.80W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

1100 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 E Anchorage (U-MED Di 61.19N 149.78W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

1102 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SE Eagle River        61.30N 149.53W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Several wood fences blown down. Wind moved a
            boat on a trailer away from original
            position. Minor flooding occurring to to
            overwhelmed storm drains.

1106 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 SE Eagle River        61.30N 149.53W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Small debris flying in strong winds. Several
            trees blown down.

1109 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 8 SE Eagle River        61.23N 149.44W
01/12/2025  M91 MPH          Anchorage          AK   NWS Employee

            Peak wind gust of 91 mph. Neighbor at about
            300 feet higher elevation observed a gust to
            104 mph before the sensor failed. Power out.

1117 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Anchorage (Abbott Loop) 61.15N 149.82W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Shingles ripping off house.

1122 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 E Anchorage (Muldoon) 61.19N 149.72W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Shingles coming off of residents house.
            Trees down over area roadways.

1124 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 E Chugiak             61.40N 149.45W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Tree branches blown down in strong winds.

1125 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SE Anchorage (Oceanvi 61.10N 149.85W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Two large sections of fence blown down in
            strong winds.

1130 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 E Anchorage (Muldoon) 61.19N 149.73W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Fence blown down in strong winds. Chicken
            run and coop were partially lifted into the
            air and destroyed in strong wind gusts.
            Power out.

1138 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SE Eagle River        61.31N 149.54W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Broken tree in yard, small branches breaking
            off consistently. Rain/snow mix along with
            strong winds.

1139 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SE Anchorage (Muldoon 61.18N 149.74W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

1143 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 11 ESE Eagle River      61.24N 149.28W
01/12/2025  E70 MPH          Anchorage          AK   Public

            Wind gusts near the Eagle River Nature
            Center. Power outage.

1146 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Anchorage (Northeast An 61.22N 149.74W
01/12/2025  M45 MPH          Anchorage          AK   Public

1150 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Anchorage (Northeast An 61.21N 149.75W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Downed tree in yard.

1156 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SW Anchorage (Huffman 61.10N 149.83W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Multiple trees down. Strong wind gusts make
            travel difficult, even by foot.

1158 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 E Eagle River         61.31N 149.52W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

1200 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SE Anchorage (Muldoon 61.18N 149.73W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Fence and gate blown down. Large branch
            split and broke off from the trunk of a
            choke cherry tree.

1215 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Anchorage (South Additi 61.21N 149.91W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Downed tree on truck and blocking roadway.

1223 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 E Eagle River         61.32N 149.53W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Branches down. Flags torn. Roof flashing
            torn. Plant pots overturned.

1229 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 E Chugiak             61.40N 149.45W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Trees down.

0100 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 W Anchorage (Northeas 61.21N 149.77W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Several trees and branches down. Debris
            flying in stronger gusts. Damage to roof and
            fence.

0108 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 W Anchorage (Huffman/ 61.11N 149.83W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            1-inch tree limbs broken; Shingles blown
            off.

0129 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 E Anchorage (Oceanvie 61.09N 149.84W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Report from mPING: 3-inch tree limbs broken;
            Power poles broken.

0136 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 E Anchorage (Oceanvie 61.11N 149.85W
01/12/2025                   Anchorage          AK   Public

            Report from mPING: Trees uprooted or
            snapped; Roof blown off.

0300 PM     Snow             8 SE Eagle River        61.23N 149.44W
01/12/2025  M7.5 Inch        Anchorage          AK   NWS Employee

            Snowfall was very wet. Snow drifting over 2
            feet in places. Near zero visibility with
            very strong winds while snow was falling.

&&

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 12, 3:36 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC12 hr
Jan 12, 3:36 PM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC12 hr
Jan 12, 3:43 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC12 hr
Jan 12, 3:43 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC12 hr
Jan 12, 3:43 PM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC60 hr
Jan 13, 4:05 AM AKSTGale WarningAFC11 hr
Jan 13, 4:09 AM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC4 days
Jan 13, 2:53 PM AKSTGale WarningAFC13 hr
Jan 13, 2:53 PM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC13 hr

Nearby

Small Craft Advisories in Alaska, 2025Every small craft advisory 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.