Gale Warning 243, NWS Anchorage, AK

298 
FZAK51 PAFC 122326
CWFAER

Coastal Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage Alaska
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

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.

PKZ197-131145-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026
.SYNOPSIS FOR THE NORTH GULF COAST+KODIAK ISLAND WATERS+
COOK INLET...
A broad complex low with multiple centers near 58N 144W at 1014 
mb this afternoon remains nearly stationary as it weakens to 1018
mb by Sat morning. A broad area of low presure at 1015 mb 
develops 45 nm S of Seward Sat morning and remains nearly 
stationary through Sat afternoon.

$$

PKZ710-131145-
Cape Suckling to Gravel Point out to 15 NM-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 4 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI NIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SAT...E wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...E wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.TUE...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.

$$

PKZ711-131145-
Gravel Point to Cape Cleare out to 15 NM-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

.TONIGHT...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.FRI...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT...E wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...E wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 6 ft.

$$

PKZ712-131145-
Cape Suckling to Cape Cleare from 15 to 75 NM-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

.TONIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...W wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SAT...SW wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...N wind 20 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.TUE...E wind 20 kt. Seas 9 ft.

$$

PKZ715-131145-
Cape Cleare to Gore Point out to 15 NM-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

.TONIGHT...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SAT AND SAT NIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SUN...N wind 25 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...N wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.

$$

PKZ716-131145-
Cape Cleare to Gore Point from 15 to 75 NM-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

.TONIGHT...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.FRI...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...SW wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SAT...SW wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...E wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...N wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.

$$

PKZ714-131145-
Resurrection Bay-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

.TONIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Gusts to 25 kt. Seas 3 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI...N wind 15 kt. Gusts to 25 kt. Seas 3 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI NIGHT...N wind 10 kt increasing to 15 kt after midnight. Seas
3 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT AND SAT NIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN...N wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ724-131145-
Northwest Prince William Sound-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

.TONIGHT...NW wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI...NW wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NW wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT...N wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...N wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ725-131145-
Central and Eastern Prince William Sound-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

.TONIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI...N wind 10 kt in the morning becoming variable less than
10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...Variable wind less than 10 kt becoming NE 10 kt after
midnight. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT AND SAT NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

PKZ726-131145-
Southwest Prince William Sound-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

.TONIGHT...Variable wind less than 10 kt becoming N 10 kt after
midnight. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI...Variable wind less than 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...Variable wind less than 10 kt becoming N 10 kt after
midnight. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...N wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...N wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

PKZ720-131145-
Port of Valdez-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

.TONIGHT...NE wind 15 kt diminishing to 10 kt after midnight. Seas
3 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT...E wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ721-131145-
Valdez Narrows-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 30 kt diminish to 20 kt after midnight. Seas 3 ft.
Freezing spray.
.FRI...N wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI NIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT AND SAT NIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ722-131145-
Valdez Arm-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 25 kt diminishing to 20 kt after midnight. Seas 5
ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT AND SAT NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ723-131145-
Passage Canal-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

.TONIGHT...W wind 15 kt. Gusts to 30 kt near Whittier. Seas 2 ft. 
Freezing spray.
.FRI...W wind 15 kt. Gusts to 25 kt near Whittier. Seas 2 ft. 
Freezing spray.
.FRI NIGHT...W wind 15 kt. Gusts to 25 kt near Whittier. Seas 2 ft. 
Freezing spray.
.SAT AND SAT NIGHT...W wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SUN...W wind 20 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...W wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$

PKZ730-131145-
West of Barren Islands Including Kamishak Bay-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI NIGHT...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 8 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...NW wind 40 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.TUE...NW wind 35 kt. Seas 10 ft.

$$

PKZ731-131145-
Barren Islands East-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI...N wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI NIGHT...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...NW wind 40 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.TUE...NW wind 35 kt. Seas 9 ft.

$$

PKZ733-131145-
Gore Point to Marmot Island from 15 to 80 NM-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

.TONIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.SUN...N wind 35 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.MON...NW wind 40 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.TUE...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 11 ft.

$$

PKZ732-131145-
Marmot Island to Sitkinak out to 15 NM-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

.TONIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.FRI...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NW wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SAT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.SUN...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.MON...NW wind 35 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.TUE...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 8 ft.

$$

PKZ734-131145-
Marmot Island To Sitkinak from 15 to 85 NM-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

.TONIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 15 kt except N 20 kt N of Dangerous Cape. Seas 4
ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SAT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.SUN...NW wind 35 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.MON...NW wind 40 kt. Seas 13 ft.
.TUE...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 12 ft.

$$

PKZ736-131145-
Chiniak Bay-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

.TONIGHT...NW wind 10 kt increasing to 15 kt after midnight. Seas
2 ft.
.FRI...NW wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NW wind 10 kt. Seas 1 ft.
.SAT...NW wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

PKZ737-131145-
Marmot Bay-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

.TONIGHT...N wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI...NW wind 10 kt. Seas 1 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NW wind 10 kt. Seas 1 ft.
.SAT...NW wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

PKZ738-131145-
Shelikof Strait-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.FRI...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI NIGHT...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 4 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...NW wind 35 kt. Seas 8 ft.

$$

PKZ742-131145-
Cook Inlet Kalgin Island to Point Bede-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

.TONIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas in ice free waters 4 ft. Freezing
spray.
.FRI...N wind 15 kt. Seas in ice free waters 4 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI NIGHT...N wind 10 kt increasing to 15 kt after midnight. Seas
in ice free waters 3 ft.
.SAT...N wind 25 kt. Seas in ice free waters 5 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas in ice free waters 5 ft.
.SUN...N wind 25 kt. Seas in ice free waters 6 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...N wind 30 kt. Seas in ice free waters 7 ft.

$$

PKZ740-131145-
Cook Inlet North of Kalgin Island-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

.TONIGHT...Variable wind less than 10 kt.
.FRI...Variable wind less than 10 kt.
.FRI NIGHT...Variable wind less than 10 kt becoming N 10 kt after
midnight.
.SAT...NE wind 10 kt.
.SAT NIGHT...N wind 15 kt.
.SUN...N wind 20 kt.
.MON...N wind 25 kt.
.TUE...N wind 20 kt.

$$

PKZ741-131145-
Kachemak Bay-
326 PM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

.TONIGHT...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.FRI...Variable wind 10 kt except NE 15 kt in the outer bay. Seas
2 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NW wind 10 kt becoming N 15 kt after midnight. Seas
2 ft.
.SAT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...N wind 25 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
446 AM AKDT Thu Mar 12 2026

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

Discussion:

Clear skies and cold temperatures again this morning across
Southcentral as cold and dry northerly flow persist; however,
temperatures will warm slightly over the next few days as cloud
cover begins to increase ahead of an approaching disturbance.
While gusty gap flow winds are still ongoing this morning, winds
will be on the decrease by this afternoon as the gradient relaxes
over the coastal mountains.

The complex low over the Gulf will continue to move east and
weaken today with ridging over the Interior. Models are in good
agreement with a trough dropping southwards across Southwest
Alaska tonight and fairly good agreement with another trough
dropping south across the Interior. This second low Saturday into
Sunday will be the next chance for precipitation for parts of
Southcentral. The surface low from the first trough will slowly
drift north across the Gulf to merge with the another weak low.
The low will further deepen as the second trough digs towards the
Gulf. Moisture will start to advect north along the coast and
eventually into the Copper Basin where light snow chances will
increase through Saturday night and into Sunday morning. Models
are still trying to figure out how widespread light snow will
develop, but it does look like best chances will mainly along and
east of the Kenai and Chugach Mountains.

- PP

&&

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

The persistent cold northerly flow continues over Southwest
Alaska and the Bering Sea. Generally, much of interior Southwest
Alaska and the western Bering Sea will continue to stay dry, while
the Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska Peninsula, and eastern Aleutians will
contend with snow showers and blowing snow as shortwaves track
southwards around the ridge and across western AK and the eastern
Bering Sea.

A shortwave dropping south across the eastern Bering Sea will
allow for snow showers to continue across the Kuskokwim Delta,
Nunivak Island, and the Alaska Peninsula today. Winds along the
Alaska Peninsula and the Kuskokwim Delta coastline remain breezy,
allowing for the continued possibility for mild blowing snow and
reduced visibilities. As this current system tracks south into the
northern Pacific by this afternoon, a deeper and more defined
upper level wave will take a similar track southward across the
eastern Bering Sea through Friday morning. Snow shower coverage
along the Kuskokwim Delta coast will increase this afternoon into
tonight as a result, while frequent snow showers along the AKPen
likely persist from this morning through Friday. The eastern
Aleutians from Nikolski to Akutan likely become the focus of the
strongest winds and heaviest snowfall late tonight into early
Friday morning with this system. Beyond Friday, conditions dry out
while the same pattern of ridging across the western Bering and
northerly flow across the eastern Bering and Southwest Alaska
continues.

-JH

&&

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

The long-term forecast begins late Saturday with the persistent
upper-level ridge over the western Bering and Aleutians remaining
firmly entrenched over the region. Downstream, a positively tilted
upper-level trough digs southeast, with an embedded shortwave
over the Interior elongating as it reaches the Southern Mainland.
With the upper-level trough axis draped over the Alaska Range and
Alaska Peninsula, diffluence and a strengthening southerly flow
ahead of the trough axis will likely allow for both a surface
trough/low and moisture from the Gulf to be lifted northward
across coastal Southcentral late Saturday night into Sunday. How
these features interact, the amount of moisture, and timing of any
precipitation is still fairly uncertain; however, there is the
potential for light snow across portions of interior Southcentral
with steadier snow and wind for coastal locations.

Another complicating factor will be a secondary upper-level
trough digging south on the heels of the first for Sunday. This
feature looks more potent in recent model runs, digging south a
bit farther west than the first trough. If this solution holds,
this second trough would likely help further enhance the surface
trough/low over the northwestern Gulf and draw up more moisture in
the form of snow for Southcentral and Kodiak Island through
Monday. Moreover, this trough will usher in yet another round of
arctic air and gusty northerly winds into Southwest Alaska.

Uncertainty grows by the start of next week as to how quickly
this trough closes off into an upper-level low as it moves south
over the Gulf. If this feature does move quickly into the Gulf,
any snow will likely follow suit and taper off across the
Southcentral coast as the arctic airmass moves in. If the trough
lingers, expect snow to linger with a slight delay in arrival of
arctic air and strongest of gap winds.

&&

.AVIATION...

PANC...VFR conditions and winds under 10 kts will persist through
the TAF period.

&&