Storm Warning 18, NWS Anchorage, AK

751 
FZAK62 PAFC 071209
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
309 AM AKST Wed Jan 7 2026

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.

PKZ499-080115-
309 AM AKST Wed Jan 7 2026
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

An elongated 985 mb low at 49N 179W moves to 51N 175W at 970 mb by
Thu morning and continues to 52N 160W at 964 mb by Fri morning. 
Its front remains over the Aleutian Chain before dropping south 
into the North Pacific by Friday morning.

$$

PKZ411-080115-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
309 AM AKST Wed Jan 7 2026

...GALE WARNING THROUGH THURSDAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft. Freezing spray.
.THU...NE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 15 to 23 ft. Freezing spray.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 14 to 21 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 18 ft.

$$

PKZ412-080115-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
309 AM AKST Wed Jan 7 2026

...GALE WARNING THROUGH THURSDAY...
...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING THURSDAY...

.TODAY...E wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft. Snow. Freezing
spray.
.THU...NE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 15 to 22 ft. Heavy freezing
spray.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 14 to 21 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...NW wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.

$$

PKZ413-080115-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
309 AM AKST Wed Jan 7 2026

...STORM WARNING TONIGHT AND THURSDAY...

.TODAY...E wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 8 to 12 ft building to 12 to 18
ft in the afternoon. Snow and rain.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 14 to 26 ft. Snow and rain.
.THU...NE wind 40 to 50 kt. Seas 20 to 27 ft. Snow. Freezing
spray.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 21 to 27 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft.
.SAT THROUGH SUN...N wind 30 kt. Seas 10 to 14 ft.

$$

PKZ414-080115-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
309 AM AKST Wed Jan 7 2026

...STORM WARNING THURSDAY...
...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING THROUGH THURSDAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Snow. Extreme 
freezing spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly 
accumulate on vessels near the ice edge.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft. Snow. Extreme 
freezing spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly 
accumulate on vessels near the ice edge.
.THU...NE wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft. Snow. Extreme freezing
spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly accumulate 
on vessels.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 35 to 45 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SUN...NW wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.

$$

332 
FZAK62 PAFC 080044
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
344 PM AKST Wed Jan 7 2026

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.

PKZ499-081545-
344 PM AKST Wed Jan 7 2026
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

An elongated 975 mb low at 50N 179W moves to 52N 160W at 964 mb 
by Fri morning. Its front remains over the Aleutian Chain before 
dropping south into the North Pacific by Friday morning.

$$

PKZ411-081545-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
344 PM AKST Wed Jan 7 2026

...GALE WARNING THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 11 to 19 ft. Freezing spray.
.THU...NE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 15 to 22 ft. Freezing spray.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 14 to 20 ft. Snow showers.
Freezing spray.
.FRI...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 12 to 18 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 11 to 14 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...NW wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 13 ft.

$$

PKZ412-081545-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
344 PM AKST Wed Jan 7 2026

...GALE WARNING THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT...
...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING THURSDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft. Snow.
Freezing spray.
.THU...NE wind 35 to 45 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft. Heavy freezing
spray.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 30 to 40 kt. Seas 13 to 20 ft.
Snow showers. Heavy freezing spray.
.FRI...NE wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 11 to 17 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...N wind 30 kt. Seas 11 to 16 ft.

$$

PKZ413-081545-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
344 PM AKST Wed Jan 7 2026

...STORM WARNING THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 14 to 26 ft. Snow and rain.
.THU...NE wind 40 to 50 kt. Seas 20 to 28 ft. Snow.
Freezing spray.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 35 to 50 kt becoming 40 kt after midnight.
Seas 19 to 27 ft. Snow. Freezing spray.
.FRI...NE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 15 to 21 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 13 to 16 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 10 to 16 ft.

$$

PKZ414-081545-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
344 PM AKST Wed Jan 7 2026

...STORM WARNING THURSDAY...
...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft. Snow. Extreme 
freezing spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly 
accumulate on vessels near the ice edge.
.THU...NE wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft. Snow. Extreme freezing
spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly accumulate 
on vessels near the ice edge.
.THU NIGHT...NE wind 35 to 45 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft. Extreme freezing
spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly accumulate 
on vessels near the ice edge.
.FRI...N wind 30 to 40 kt. Seas 11 to 17 ft.
.FRI NIGHT...N wind 35 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...N wind 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.

$$

005 
FZAK62 PAFC 081135
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
235 AM AKST Thu Jan 8 2026

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.

PKZ499-090230-
235 AM AKST Thu Jan 8 2026
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 972 mb low at 50N 174W and a 981 mb low at 50N 157W combine 
near 51N 158W tonight to develop a 967 mb low. This low moves to 
52N 153W at 972 mb Sat morning as its front lifts into the Gulf of
Alaska by Sat morning. An additional front remains draped across 
the Aleutian Chain through Sat morning.

$$

PKZ411-090230-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
235 AM AKST Thu Jan 8 2026

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...NE wind 25 to 40 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI...NE wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 12 to 19 ft. Snow showers.
Freezing spray.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 11 to 14 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...N wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.

$$

PKZ412-090230-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
235 AM AKST Thu Jan 8 2026

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

.TODAY...NE wind 35 to 45 kt. Seas 14 to 21 ft. Heavy freezing
spray.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 30 to 40 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft. Heavy freezing
spray.
.FRI...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 11 to 16 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.

$$

PKZ413-090230-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
235 AM AKST Thu Jan 8 2026

...STORM WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT...

.TODAY...NE wind 40 to 50 kt. Seas 21 to 27 ft. Snow. Freezing
spray.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 19 to 28 ft. Snow. Freezing
spray.
.FRI...NE wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 15 to 22 ft. Snow showers.
Freezing spray.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 13 to 16 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...N wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft.

$$

PKZ414-090230-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
235 AM AKST Thu Jan 8 2026

...STORM WARNING TODAY...
...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING THROUGH FRIDAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft. Snow. Extreme 
freezing spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly 
accumulate on vessels near the ice edge.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft. Extreme freezing 
spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly accumulate on
vessels near the ice edge.
.FRI...N wind 30 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 17 ft. Extreme freezing spray 
at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly accumulate on 
vessels.
.FRI NIGHT...N wind 35 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.
.SAT THROUGH MON...N wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.

$$

718 
FZAK62 PAFC 082300
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
200 PM AKST Thu Jan 8 2026

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.

PKZ499-091415-
200 PM AKST Thu Jan 8 2026
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 972 mb low near 50N 173W will move south and out of the area through
Fri. A 970 mb low near 52N 156W will move into the Gulf Fri. High
pressure will persist over eastern Russia through Sat.

$$

PKZ411-091415-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
200 PM AKST Thu Jan 8 2026

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 20 to 35 kt. Seas 13 to 21 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI...NE wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 12 to 19 ft. Snow showers.
Freezing spray.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 13 ft. Snow showers.
Freezing spray.
.SAT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 10 to 13 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.

$$

PKZ412-091415-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
200 PM AKST Thu Jan 8 2026

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...
...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 30 to 40 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft.
Heavy freezing spray.
.FRI...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 11 to 16 ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 12 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...N wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 13 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft.

$$

PKZ413-091415-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
200 PM AKST Thu Jan 8 2026

...STORM WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 35 to 50 kt. Seas 19 to 28 ft. Snow.
Freezing spray.
.FRI...NE wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 15 to 22 ft. Snow showers.
Freezing spray.
.FRI NIGHT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 13 to 16 ft. Widespread snow
showers. Freezing spray.
.SAT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...N wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 13 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.

$$

PKZ414-091415-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
200 PM AKST Thu Jan 8 2026

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

.TONIGHT...NE wind 30 to 45 kt. Seas 12 to 20 ft. Extreme 
freezing spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly 
accumulate on vessels.
.FRI...N wind 30 to 40 kt. Seas 10 to 17 ft. Extreme 
freezing spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly 
accumulate on vessels.
.FRI NIGHT...N wind 35 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Extreme 
freezing spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly 
accumulate on vessels.
.SAT...N wind 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...N wind 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...N wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.

$$

843 
FZAK62 PAFC 091154
OFFALU

Offshore Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
254 AM AKST Fri Jan 9 2026

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.

PKZ499-100300-
254 AM AKST Fri Jan 9 2026
.SYNOPSIS FOR CENTRAL BERING SEA...

A 963 mb complex low near 52N 156W exits northeast to the Gulf of
Alaska through Sat afternoon. A front remains draped across the 
Aleutian Chain through Sun morning as high pressure nudges into 
the northwestern Bering Sea Sun morning.

$$

PKZ411-100300-
Bering Sea Offshore West of 180 and East of the International
Dateline-
254 AM AKST Fri Jan 9 2026

.TODAY...NE wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 12 to 19 ft. Snow showers.
Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 11 to 14 ft. Snow showers. Freezing
spray.
.SAT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 12 ft. Snow showers. Freezing spray.
.SAT NIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 10 to 13 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...N wind 10 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.

$$

PKZ412-100300-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and North of 56N-
254 AM AKST Fri Jan 9 2026

.TODAY...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 10 to 16 ft. Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 12 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 12 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT NIGHT...NE wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 13 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...NE wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.

$$

PKZ413-100300-
Bering Sea Offshore 171W to 180 and South of 56N-
254 AM AKST Fri Jan 9 2026

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...NE wind 25 to 35 kt. Seas 14 to 22 ft. Snow showers.
Freezing spray.
.TONIGHT...NE wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 12 to 16 ft. Snow showers.
Freezing spray.
.SAT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 13 ft. Snow showers. Freezing spray.
.SAT NIGHT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 13 to 16 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...N wind 15 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft.

$$

PKZ414-100300-
Bering Sea Offshore East of 171W-
254 AM AKST Fri Jan 9 2026

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

.TODAY...N wind 30 to 40 kt. Seas 9 to 17 ft. Extreme freezing spray
at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly accumulate on 
vessels near the ice edge.
.TONIGHT...N wind 35 kt. Seas 9 to 14 ft. Extreme freezing spray
at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly accumulate on 
vessels near the ice edge.
.SAT...N wind 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft. Heavy freezing spray.
.SAT NIGHT...N wind 30 kt. Seas 8 to 13 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...N wind 20 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 12 ft.

$$

Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
549 AM AKST Tue Jan 6 2026

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

A very cold upper level trough and its attendant surface low will
move east across Southcentral through tomorrow morning. Various
advisories and warnings are out of the Kenai Peninsula, Anchorage
Muni, and the Mat-Su Valleys. Please read those for more
information on what to expect for your area. The main change to
the forecast was to once again increase snowfall amounts across
the board for three reasons. The first and foremost is the
introduction of very high snow ratios. Over the next 12 hours a
very cold airmass will begin to push through all the gaps of the
Alaska and Aleutian Mountain Ranges. This will provide additional
lift to squeeze out any and all remaining moisture provided by the
surface low that will sit in the Sound for the next 24 hours or
so. Additionally, the negative tilt of the trough will provide
ample lift as it digs south. Lastly, the cold air advection will
create a deep dendritic growth layer from sea level to
approximately 15kft, amplifying snow ratios to be near 25:1 and
30:1. The combination of these factors should allow for some stout
accumulation despite not all that impressive amounts of QPF.
Overnight snowfall rates have been around 0.7 inches per hour, and
should kick up as the cold air starts to funnel in.

Another change to the forecast was to upgrade the Winter Weather
Advisory for Whittier to a Blizzard Warning. Later this afternoon
the surface low will pull into the Sound, rapidly transitioning
the winds from calm to westerly, with gusts up to 60 mph. Recent
snow and snow falling into the area will combine with the winds
to create blizzard conditions.

The other side to this storm, as has been eluded to, will be the
very cold air coming into the region. There is a reasonable chance
that morning lows on Thursday will be at or even colder than those
observed on Sunday, assuming no fog or stratus is able to develop.
This means low temperatures of 20 to 30 below for most areas with
equivalent wind chills for Whittier and Seward. Kodiak will also
be well below normal with sub-zero wind chills.

This cold and clear period will be short lived as a front and
inverted trough from a strong north Pacific low moves into the
coast Thursday afternoon. Kodiak and the Sound will be the first
to get another round of snow and wind, with light snow likely
spilling over into the greater Cook Inlet region and Mat-Su
Valleys. Moving into the weekend the forecast begins to muddy
based upon if and where lows develop along the front, but the
pattern remains very active. Stay tuned.

&&

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

Key Messages:

- Bitterly cold air temperatures and wind chills return for
  Southwest Alaska, with this event likely to be colder and more
  widespread than previous cold air outbreaks. A Cold Weather
  Advisory is in effect from Wednesday through Friday.

- A storm moving into the Central Aleutians could bring blizzard
  conditions to the Pribilof Islands and Southern Alaska Peninsula
  on Wednesday, followed by potential blizzard conditions along
  the Aleutian Chain late Thursday after the storm departs.

- Arctic air and gusty winds will bring the potential for extreme
  freezing spray along the sea ice edge.

Conditions are much improved from yesterday as the previous storm
exits to the east. The next round of cold air is already moving
into the region and will gradually spread across the entirety of
Southwest Alaska through the end of the week. A Cold Weather
Advisory is in effect from Wednesday night through late Friday
afternoon, though there is potential for frigid temperatures and
wind chills to linger for longer. Additionally, we're monitoring
the potential for wind chills to drop below -55, which would meet
the threshold for an upgrade from advisory to warning.

Otherwise, the other thing to watch for will be the phasing of 2
lows that move towards the Central Aleutians from late tonight
through tomorrow. Models are struggling with the interaction of
these two features, which has led to a major forecast shift since
yesterday's forecast. With the low now tracking several hundred
miles further east, there will be greater impacts for much of the
Aleutian Islands, Pribilof Islands, Alaska Peninsula, and
Southwest Alaska. Temperatures will be too warm in the Central and
Eastern Aleutians for blowing snow, but if any snow falls in the
Pribilof Islands or Alaska Peninsula, blizzard conditions are
possible. Right now, these locations are right at the edge of the
frontal precipitation, so confidence is low regarding whether
blizzard conditions will materialize. By late Thursday, as the low
is set to dive southwards back in the North Pacific, continued
strong winds in combination with snow showers could also cause
blizzard conditions along the Aleutian Islands and Alaska
Peninsula. Stay tuned.

-KC

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

An Arctic air mass will be in place across much of the southern
Mainland at the start of the period on Thursday, with a deep upper
level low initially centered over Southcentral. A narrow ridge
will likely be in place across parts of the Bering Sea, extending
from the North Pacific into parts of Northeast Russia and
Kamchatka. A frontal system associated with a low moving south of
the Aleutians will bring strong easterly winds and rain/snow south
of the Bering ridge along much of the Aleutian Chain on Thursday.
Strong northeast surface winds will likely be ongoing along the
Southwest Coast and out across much of the Bering Sea as a strong
north-south pressure gradient combines with strong westerly cold
advection of Arctic air from Southwest. This will likely support
areas of heavy freezing spray across the eastern Bering Sea,
especially within close proximity to the sea ice edge until winds
begin to weaken and turn more northerly on Friday.

A very active pattern is likely to continue through the weekend as
the upper level pattern amplifies with time. The upper low/trough
over Southcentral will retrograde west through the weekend,
becoming part of a deepening longwave trough setting up across the
Bering and Aleutians. At the same time, a longwave ridge will
develop downstream of the main upper trough, building steadily
into the eastern Gulf and Southeast through Sunday. This will put
Southcentral squarely within the prevailing storm track between
the very cold Arctic air building over northern/western Alaska and
the much warmer Pacific air and high pressure building into the
Gulf and Southeast. This could extend a period of major volatility
in temperatures and precipitation already getting started this
week for part of Southcentral into the weekend. Multiple large
swings between periods of cold temperatures and drier conditions
and warmer temperatures with light to moderate snow will be
possible as a series of lows move north into the region within a
corridor of southerly flow setting up between the ridge to the
southeast and trough to the northwest.

Meanwhile, most of Southwest will stay colder and drier through
the weekend as the Arctic air mass remains entrenched in place.
Much of the Aleutian Chain could see periods of ocean-effect snow
showers through Sunday as cold air streaming south modifies and
picks up moisture from the warmer ocean surface.

-AS

&&
.AVIATION...

PANC...IFR to LIFR conditions will continue through this afternoon
as bands of light to moderate snow move over the Terminal. By late
this evening the snow should push more against the mountains,
leading to a gradual improvement of cigs and vis overnight. Breezy
north winds may however lead to some blowing and drifting snow
around 9 pm should they materialize. VFR conditions should return
tomorrow morning barring the formation of any fog.

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
1259 PM AKST Tue Jan 6 2026

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

1210 PM     Snow             1 W Meadow Lakes        61.63N 149.63W
01/06/2026  M15.0 Inch       Matanuska-Susitna  AK   Public

&&

TK

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
123 PM AKST Tue Jan 6 2026

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

1205 PM     Snow             1 NE Anchorage (Oceanvi 61.11N 149.86W
01/06/2026  M13.0 Inch       Anchorage          AK   Public

&&

TK

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
125 PM AKST Tue Jan 6 2026

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

1248 PM     Snow             5 S Talkeetna           62.26N 150.07W
01/06/2026  M17.0 Inch       Matanuska-Susitna  AK   Public

&&

TK

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
126 PM AKST Tue Jan 6 2026

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

1214 PM     Snow             4 E Big Lake            61.54N 149.83W
01/06/2026  M18.0 Inch       Matanuska-Susitna  AK   NWS Employee

&&

TK

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
129 PM AKST Tue Jan 6 2026

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

0120 PM     Snow             3 N Wasilla             61.62N 149.46W
01/06/2026  M12.5 Inch       Matanuska-Susitna  AK   Public

&&

TK

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
140 PM AKST Tue Jan 6 2026

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

0106 PM     Snow             Anchorage (Rabbit Creek 61.07N 149.77W
01/06/2026  M15.4 Inch       Anchorage          AK   Public

&&

TK