Storm Warning 20, NWS Anchorage, AK

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.

$$

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

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

Despite snow beginning to trend down across portions of
Southcentral, active weather continues with several weather
products ongoing. Winter storm warnings and advisories from the
MatSu down into Anchorage, as well as the southwest and northwest
Kenai Peninsula, the Eastern Turnagain Arm, Kachemak Bay and
Whittier, remain in effect through early Wednesday. Some of these
may need to be expired sooner than later, depending on radar
trends and observations. As flow becomes more westerly into
tonight, upslope flow against the Chugach may allow for snow to
linger for a longer period of time on the Eagle River and
Anchorage Hillsides. The extremely cold air aloft will also
continue to support very high snow ratios, resulting in continued
snow despite very little moisture.

Temperatures will continue to cool over the next couple of days,
beginning tonight, as low pressure departs the region to the
southeast. Overnight lows across Southcentral will dip below zero
tonight, and back into the minus teens and 20s Wednesday night.
Cold weather advisories will likely be needed by Wednesday
night and Thursday morning as wind chills will are expected to
approach -30 degrees for many Southcentral locations, including
the Western Kenai Peninsula, Turnagain Pass, Whittier, the Susitna
Valley and much for the Copper River Basin.

As mentioned in the morning discussion, 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.

BL

&&

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHWEST ALASKA/BERING SEA/ALEUTIANS
(Days 1 through 3: This evening 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. A
  Winter Storm Watch for blizzard conditions is in effect from
  Wednesday afternoon through Thursday evening.

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

The upper-level arctic trough is now firmly entrenched over the
interior of western Alaska. This has brought a sudden return to
bitterly cold temperatures and wind chill from the Kuskokwim Delta
south to the Alaska Peninsula. This airmass will remain in place
through Friday with temperatures continuing to drop over the next
48 hours. 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 continue to struggle with the
interaction of these two features, which has led to a major
forecast shift since yesterday's forecast and changes to the
northern extent of precipitation with each model run.

That said, 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 from west to east
through Friday and, eventually, the Alaska Peninsula. Stay tuned.

-KC/TM

&&

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

No major changes to the previous discussion:

An Arctic air mass will be in place across much of the southern
Mainland at the start of the period on Friday, 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
Atka will bring strong easterly winds and rain/snow south of the
Bering ridge along much of the Aleutian Chain on Thursday,
changing back to snow from west to east along the Chain through
Friday as the front slides back to south and colder air drives
south across the Bering. 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 and along the western Alaska Range
in Southwest Alaska 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 Monday as cold air streaming south modifies and
picks up moisture from the warmer ocean surface.

-AS/TM

&&

.AVIATION...

PANC...IFR to LIFR conditions in moderate snow this afternoon
should steadily improve this evening into tonight as snow ends and
as ceilings rise to MVFR levels. There is some uncertainty
regarding how quickly ceilings will continue to rise through
Wednesday morning, but cold, dry air filtering back in should
favor a return to VFR conditions. Gusty north winds still look
possible for this evening, and these winds could lead to areas of
blowing and drifting snow this evening into tonight.

&&

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
National Weather Service ANCHORAGE AK
919 PM AKST Tue Jan 6 2026

AKZ702-081500-
Anchorage Hillside / Eagle River-
Including the cities of Anchorage Hillside, Upper Eagle River,
and Indian
919 PM AKST Tue Jan 6 2026

...The Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center in
Girdwood has issued a SPECIAL AVALANCHE STATEMENT...

* WHAT...Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the backcountry.
  Human triggered avalanches are likely.

* WHERE...For Southwestern Chugach State Park from South Fork of
  Eagle River to Indian Creek including Upper Rabbit Creek, Glen
  Alps Recreation Area, and the backcountry terrain near Arctic
  Valley. This bulletin does not apply to operating ski areas.

* WHEN...In effect from Wednesday 6:00 am to Thursday 6:00 am AKST.

* IMPACTS... Large human-triggered avalanches are likely. Despite
  the calmer weather, the snowpack is very unstable and dangerous
  avalanches can be easily triggered by people. It is likely
  avalanches may be triggered remotely from flat terrain below
  steeper slopes.

* PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If deciding to recreate in
  the backcountry, choose terrain that is flat or less than 30
  degrees in steepness, with nothing steeper above you. Cautious
  route-finding and conservative decision-making skills will be
  necessary to identify and avoid slopes that could avalanche.

Similar avalanche danger may exist at locations outside the coverage
area of this or any avalanche center.

For more information visit www.ChugachAvalanche.org.

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
1136 PM AKST Tue Jan 6 2026

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

0708 PM     Snow             Palmer                  61.61N 149.18W
01/06/2026  M5.0 Inch        Matanuska-Susitna  AK   Trained Spotter

&&

JAR

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
1140 PM AKST Tue Jan 6 2026

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

0708 PM     Snow             Anchorage (Campbell Par 61.16N 149.82W
01/06/2026  M17.0 Inch       Anchorage          AK   Public

0728 PM     Snow             Chugiak                 61.42N 149.49W
01/06/2026  M14.0 Inch       Anchorage          AK   Public

            Storm total snow between 12:00 AM 1/5/26 to
            3:30 PM 1/6/26.

0746 PM     Snow             Eagle River             61.32N 149.54W
01/06/2026  M10.5 Inch       Anchorage          AK   Public

            Storm total snow of 10.5 inches since Monday
            afternoon.

0816 PM     Snow             Anchorage (Bayshore/Kla 61.13N 149.93W
01/06/2026  M17.0 Inch       Anchorage          AK   Public

1000 PM     Snow             Anchorage (U-MED Distri 61.19N 149.79W
01/06/2026  M15.0 Inch       Anchorage          AK   Public

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
1147 PM AKST Tue Jan 6 2026

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

0839 AM     Snow             Clam Gulch              60.18N 151.42W
01/06/2026  M2.8 Inch        Kenai Peninsula    AK   Public

0507 PM     Snow             Valdez                  61.11N 146.22W
01/06/2026  M8.0 Inch        Chugach            AK   Trained Spotter

            6 inches of snow since last report the
            morning of 1/6/26. 23F, calm winds, light
            snowfall with some breaks in cloud cover.

0600 PM     Snow             Anchorage (Sand Lake)   61.16N 149.95W
01/06/2026  M17.0 Inch       Anchorage          AK   Public

            Surface level, untouched snow.

0700 PM     Snow             Wasilla                 61.55N 149.41W
01/06/2026  M11.5 Inch       Matanuska-Susitna  AK   Public

&&