Storm Warning 66, NWS Anchorage, AK

437 
FZAK51 PAFC 052312
CWFAER

Coastal Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage Alaska
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 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.

PKZ197-061200-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026
.SYNOPSIS FOR THE NORTH GULF COAST+KODIAK ISLAND WATERS+
COOK INLET...

A 998 mb low 40 nm E of Kodiak Island on Thu afternoon remains 
stationary before dissipating Thu evening. A second 971 mb low 
arrives 80 nm SW of Kodiak City on Fri morning before moving onto 
Prince William Sound at 982 mb by Fri late evening.

$$

PKZ710-061200-
Cape Suckling to Gravel Point out to 15 NM-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026

...STORM WARNING FRIDAY...

.TONIGHT...E wind 30 kt. Seas 8 ft. Rain and snow.
.FRI...E wind 50 kt. Seas 19 ft. Rain.
.FRI NIGHT...S wind 40 kt. Seas 20 ft. Snow showers with rain
showers.
.SAT...SW wind 25 kt. Seas 18 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...SW wind 15 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.SUN...E wind 15 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.MON...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.TUE...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.

$$

PKZ711-061200-
Gravel Point to Cape Cleare out to 15 NM-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026

...STORM WARNING FRIDAY...

.TONIGHT...E wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft. Rain.
.FRI...E wind 50 kt. Seas 18 ft. Rain.
.FRI NIGHT...SW wind 40 kt. Seas 21 ft.
.SAT...SW wind 30 kt. Seas 18 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...SW wind 20 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.SUN...E wind 20 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.MON...N wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.TUE...N wind 25 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

PKZ712-061200-
Cape Suckling to Cape Cleare from 15 to 75 NM-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026

...STORM WARNING FRIDAY...

.TONIGHT...S wind 15 kt becoming SE 25 kt after midnight. Seas 9
ft. Rain.
.FRI...SE wind 50 kt becoming S 40 kt in the afternoon. Seas 16
ft. Rain.
.FRI NIGHT...SW wind 40 kt. Seas 24 ft.
.SAT...SW wind 30 kt. Seas 19 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...W wind 25 kt. Seas 13 ft.
.SUN...SW wind 25 kt. Seas 13 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.

$$

PKZ715-061200-
Cape Cleare to Gore Point out to 15 NM-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026

...GALE WARNING FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 9 ft. Rain.
.FRI...E wind 40 kt becoming S 30 kt in the afternoon. Seas 15 ft.
Rain.
.FRI NIGHT...SW wind 40 kt. Seas 20 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT...SW wind 30 kt. Seas 16 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...W wind 25 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.SUN...N wind 25 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...N wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

PKZ716-061200-
Cape Cleare to Gore Point from 15 to 75 NM-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026

...GALE WARNING FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...E wind 30 kt. Seas 9 ft. Rain.
.FRI...S wind 40 kt. Seas 16 ft. Rain.
.FRI NIGHT...SW wind 45 kt. Seas 22 ft.
.SAT...SW wind 30 kt. Seas 19 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...W wind 30 kt. Seas 13 ft.
.SUN...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...N wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.

$$

PKZ714-061200-
Resurrection Bay-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FRIDAY...

.TONIGHT...N wind 10 kt in the evening becoming variable less than
10 kt. Seas 2 ft. Snow.
.FRI...N wind 15 kt becoming S 30 kt in the afternoon. Seas 3 ft 
building to 5 ft in the afternoon. Rain and snow.
.FRI NIGHT...S wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. Snow showers. Freezing
spray.
.SAT...S wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SUN...N wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...N wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

PKZ724-061200-
Northwest Prince William Sound-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026

...GALE WARNING FRIDAY...

.TONIGHT...E wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft. Rain and snow.
.FRI...E wind 35 kt. Seas 9 ft. Rain and snow.
.FRI NIGHT...E wind 20 kt becoming S 30 kt after midnight. Seas 3
ft building to 7 ft after midnight. Snow showers and rain showers.
.SAT...S wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...E wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SUN...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ725-061200-
Central and Eastern Prince William Sound-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026

...GALE WARNING FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. Rain.
.FRI...SE wind 45 kt. Seas 10 ft. Rain.
.FRI NIGHT...S wind 30 kt becoming SW 40 kt after midnight. Seas
6 ft building to 9 ft after midnight. Snow showers and rain
showers.
.SAT...SW wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...SW wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SUN...E wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.MON...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.TUE...N wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

PKZ726-061200-
Southwest Prince William Sound-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026

...GALE WARNING FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. Rain and snow.
.FRI...E wind 40 kt. Seas 9 ft. Rain.
.FRI NIGHT...S wind 40 kt. Seas 10 ft. Snow showers and rain 
showers.
.SAT...SW wind 30 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...W wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...N wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ720-061200-
Port of Valdez-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026

.TONIGHT...Variable wind less than 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. Snow.
.FRI...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. Snow and rain.
.FRI NIGHT...Variable wind less than 10 kt becoming SW 10 kt after
midnight. Seas 2 ft. Snow showers and rain.
.SAT...Variable wind less than 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...E wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SUN...E wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.MON...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.TUE...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ721-061200-
Valdez Narrows-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH FRIDAY...

.TONIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 3 ft. Snow. Freezing spray.
.FRI...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 3 ft. Snow and rain.
.FRI NIGHT...Variable wind less than 10 kt becoming SW wind 20 kt
after midnight. Seas 3 ft. Snow showers and rain.
.SAT...SW wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.SUN...N wind 30 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...NE wind 25 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ722-061200-
Valdez Arm-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026

...GALE WARNING FRIDAY...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. Rain and snow.
.FRI...NE wind 25 kt becoming E 35 kt in the afternoon. Seas 6 ft.
Rain and snow.
.FRI NIGHT...SE wind 20 kt becoming S 30 kt after midnight. Seas
5 ft. Snow showers and rain.
.SAT...S wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...S wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

PKZ723-061200-
Passage Canal-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FRIDAY...

.TONIGHT...Variable wind less than 10 kt becoming E 10 kt after
midnight. Seas 2 ft. Snow.
.FRI...E wind 25 kt. Seas 4 ft. Rain and snow.
.FRI NIGHT...E wind 15 kt becoming W after midnight. Seas 2 ft.
Snow showers and rain showers.
.SAT...Variable wind less than 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...W wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...W wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.TUE...W wind 15 kt. Seas 2 ft.

$$

PKZ730-061200-
West of Barren Islands Including Kamishak Bay-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026

...STORM WARNING FRIDAY...
...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 30 kt increasing to 40 kt after midnight. Seas
9 ft building to 14 ft after midnight. Snow. Freezing spray.
.FRI...NE wind 50 kt. Seas 14 ft. Snow. Freezing spray.
.FRI NIGHT...W wind 40 kt. Seas 11 ft. Heavy freezing spray.
.SAT...W wind 35 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...W wind 40 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...NW wind 40 kt. Seas 11 ft.

$$

PKZ731-061200-
Barren Islands East-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026

...STORM WARNING FRIDAY...

.TONIGHT...E wind 30 kt increasing to 40 kt after midnight. Seas
11 ft. Rain.
.FRI...SE wind 50 kt becoming SW 35 kt in the afternoon. Seas 14
ft. Rain.
.FRI NIGHT...W wind 40 kt diminishing to 30 kt after midnight.
Seas 13 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT...W wind 30 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...W wind 40 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.SUN...NW wind 40 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...NW wind 35 kt. Seas 9 ft.

$$

PKZ733-061200-
Gore Point to Marmot Island from 15 to 80 NM-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026

...GALE WARNING FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...E wind 30 kt. Seas 10 ft. Rain.
.FRI...S wind 35 kt becoming SW 45 kt in the afternoon. Seas 14 ft
building to 20 ft in the afternoon. Rain.
.FRI NIGHT...SW wind 45 kt. Seas 23 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT...W wind 30 kt. Seas 18 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...W wind 30 kt. Seas 14 ft.
.SUN...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.MON...NW wind 35 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.TUE...NW wind 40 kt. Seas 10 ft.

$$

PKZ732-061200-
Marmot Island to Sitkinak out to 15 NM-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026

...GALE WARNING FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...E wind 20 kt increasing to 30 kt after midnight. Seas
8 ft. Rain.
.FRI...S wind 35 kt becoming SW 45 kt in the afternoon. Seas 13 ft
building to 19 ft in the afternoon.
.FRI NIGHT...SW wind 40 kt. Seas 18 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT AND SAT NIGHT...W wind 30 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.SUN...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.MON THROUGH TUE...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 6 ft.

$$

PKZ734-061200-
Marmot Island To Sitkinak from 15 to 85 NM-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026

...STORM WARNING FRIDAY...

.TONIGHT...SE wind 30 kt. Seas 11 ft. Rain.
.FRI...SW wind 40 kt increasing to 50 kt in the afternoon. Seas
18 ft building to 25 ft in the afternoon.
.FRI NIGHT...SW wind 45 kt. Seas 24 ft.
.SAT AND SAT NIGHT...W wind 35 kt. Seas 17 ft.
.SUN...NW wind 35 kt. Seas 15 ft.
.MON...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.TUE...NW wind 35 kt. Seas 11 ft.

$$

PKZ736-061200-
Chiniak Bay-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 10 kt becoming E 20 kt after midnight. Seas 3 ft
building to 7 ft after midnight. Rain.
.FRI...S wind 30 kt. Gusts to 40 kt. Seas 7 ft. Rain.
.FRI NIGHT...SW wind 25 kt. Gusts to 35 kt. Seas 6 ft. Freezing 
spray.
.SAT...W wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...W wind 25 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SUN...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.MON...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.TUE...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

PKZ737-061200-
Marmot Bay-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026

...GALE WARNING FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...SW wind 15 kt becoming E 25 kt after midnight. Seas 2
ft building to 9 ft after midnight. Rain and snow.
.FRI...S wind 25 kt becoming SW 45 kt in the afternoon. Seas 10
ft. Rain.
.FRI NIGHT...SW wind 40 kt diminishing to 30 kt after midnight.
Seas 9 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT...W wind 30 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...W wind 25 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.SUN THROUGH MON...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.TUE...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

PKZ738-061200-
Shelikof Strait-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026

...GALE WARNING THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 30 kt increasing to 45 kt after midnight. Seas
12 ft. Rain and snow.
.FRI...SE wind 30 kt becoming W 45 kt in the afternoon. Seas 11
ft. Freezing spray.
.FRI NIGHT...W wind 45 kt. Seas 11 ft. Freezing spray.
.SAT...W wind 40 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...W wind 30 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 8 ft.

$$

PKZ742-061200-
Cook Inlet Kalgin Island to Point Bede-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026

...GALE WARNING THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 30 kt becoming NE 40 kt after midnight. Seas in
ice free waters 10 ft. Snow. Freezing spray.
.FRI...NE wind 45 kt. Seas in ice free waters 10 ft. Snow.
Freezing spray.
.FRI NIGHT...SW wind 40 kt. Seas in ice free waters 10 ft.
Freezing spray.
.SAT...SW wind 35 kt. Seas in ice free waters 9 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...NW wind 25 kt. Seas in ice free waters 5 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...N wind 25 kt. Seas in ice free waters 5 ft.

$$

PKZ740-061200-
Cook Inlet North of Kalgin Island-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026

...GALE WARNING FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 20 kt.
.FRI...N wind 40 kt. Snow.
.FRI NIGHT...S wind 35 kt. Snow showers.
.SAT...S wind 30 kt.
.SAT NIGHT...W wind 15 kt.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...N wind 15 kt.

$$

PKZ741-061200-
Kachemak Bay-
212 PM AKST Thu Mar 5 2026

...GALE WARNING FRIDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NE wind 15 kt except NE 25 kt in the outer bay. Seas
3 ft. Snow. Freezing spray.
.FRI...NE wind 30 kt. Seas 5 ft. Snow and rain.
.FRI NIGHT...SW wind 40 kt. Seas 15 ft. Snow showers. Freezing 
spray.
.SAT...SW wind 30 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.SAT NIGHT...W wind 25 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.SUN THROUGH TUE...N wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.

$$

Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
447 PM AKST Wed Mar 4 2026

.SHORT TERM FORECAST SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA (Days 1 through
3: This afternoon through Saturday afternoon)...

Key Messages:

* A period of light snow is likely for Kodiak Island overnight
  tonight into Thursday morning.

* Expect a gradual trend towards warmer and cloudier conditions as
  incoming storms begin to break down the ridge of surface high
  pressure over the Mainland.

* We continue to monitor a strong low pressure system moving in
  from late Thursday into Friday. Potential hazards include heavy
  snow, blowing snow, and, along the Gulf coast, potential for
  snow to mix with or change to rain.

Discussion:

The subtropical jet stream in the Pacific will reorient from the
North Pacific to the Gulf and help steer storm systems quickly
across the Gulf. The first, weaker low will arrive tonight into
tomorrow with gusty easterly winds across the northern Gulf and a
period of snow for Kodiak Island, with up to 2-4 inches of
accumulation possible by Thursday afternoon for Kodiak City. The
easterly flow across the northern Gulf will also result in snow
showers across Prince William Sound through Thursday.

By Thursday into Friday, a much stronger storm moves in from the
North Pacific. Forecast confidence has increased with the general
picture and timing of this storm, but there remains uncertainty.
Deterministic models are generally showing 2 scenarios: the low
center moving up Cook Inlet, or the low center tracking along
Eastern Kenai Peninsula and into Prince William Sound. Both
scenarios are equally likely, though our forecast is based on the
first scenario.

Even though there's uncertainty with the track of the low, there
are some aspects of the forecast where we DO have moderate to high
confidence. We continue to expect the heaviest snow amounts and
strongest winds along Kenai Peninsula, Turnagain Arm, and Prince
William Sound. The threat of heavy snow and blowing snow will be
greatest in these areas. These areas will also likely see their
temperatures rise to or above freezing for several hours, which
could create difficult travel conditions due to rain on sub-
freezing roads, or rain on snow. Forecast confidence is also
fairly high for Kodiak Island; aside from some minor timing
differences, the modeled low tracks diverge after the low has
mostly moved beyond Kodiak Island.

Where forecast confidence is lowest is mostly along Cook Inlet and
in the interior. Our forecast package is based on the first
scenario, which has lower snow amounts for interior locations. If
the second scenario were to play out, there could be much more
snow (especially in favored downslope areas like parts of Western
Kenai Peninsula, Mat Valley, and Anchorage) than currently
forecast. If you'll be in this area late this week, stay tuned to
the forecast.

As the storm begins to move out of the area, generally expect
improving conditions from Friday night into Saturday. Onshore flow
and an incoming shortwave will lead to continued snow along
Eastern Prince William Sound and the Talkeetna Mountains. Details
remain unclear as this period of the forecast will be highly
dependent on which track Thursday/Friday's low ends up taking.

-TM/KC

&&

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

A deep Arctic airmass remains firmly entrenched over mainland
Alaska and the Bering Sea, with northerly flow maintaining the
cold air across the region. The prolonged nature of the pattern
has resulted in growth and advection of sea ice across the
northern and eastern Bering Sea, with the ice edge approaching the
northern edge of the Pribilof Islands. As the cold air moves over
open water, stratocumulus clouds and snow showers develop. These
clouds and showers cover nearly the entire Bering Sea and Aleutian
chain. Southwest Alaska remains mostly clear and cold, except for
an area of clouds due to a weak meso-low located near Cape
Newenham; this low will quickly diminish by Thursday morning
without upper level support.

A strong storm system is set to move out of the Northern Pacific
Thursday into Southern Alaska. Solutions continue to try to
resolve the storm track, but there remains enough variance in the
model output to lead to a low confidence forecast for areas on the
periphery of the system - along the Aleutians and north across
Bristol Bay and the Lake Iliamna Region. These areas just
reference remain within a Winter Weather Watch, while the Alaska
Peninsula has been upgraded to a Blizzard Warning. Given the
strength and persistence of the current cold air mass over the
region, confidence is high that precipitation from this system
will remain cold enough for snow, preventing a warm surge from
really infiltrating the southern coastline.

Meanwhile, a second compact upper low will drop southward out of
eastern Russia tonight and across the western Bering and Aleutians
Wednesday through Thursday. A weak surface low will also form
beneath the upper center. This will bring gusty winds and
continued snow showers to the Aleutians from around Atka west.

As each of the aforementioned lows drop south by early Saturday
morning, Arctic air will reign supreme across the eastern Bering
and Southwest Alaska, leading to another period of gusty winds and
light snow showers that will bring us into next week.

-AB/CL

&&

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

Upper-level troughing centered over the northern Gulf of Alaska
will extend south into the Northern Pacific, with multiple
shortwaves rotating around the trough. Strong northwesterly flow
and cold air advection will bring a shortwave producing a brief
period of snow to the eastern Aleutians and Alaska Peninsula on
Tuesday. High pressure across the Bering and a lingering surface
low in the eastern Gulf increase the potential for strong gap
winds across the Barren Islands and Southern Alaska Peninsula.
Forecast confidence is high that both Southwest and Southcentral
Alaska will continue to see below normal temperatures into the
middle of next week.

&&

.AVIATION...

PANC...VFR conditions and light winds will persist through 00Z
Friday.

&&