Storm Warning 73, NWS Anchorage, AK

971 
FZAK52 PAFC 162234
CWFALU

Coastal Waters Forecast
National Weather Service Anchorage Alaska
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

Coastal Waters Forecast for Southwest Alaska+Bristol Bay+The
Alaska Peninsula Waters and the Aleutian Islands up to 100 nm out.

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.

PKZ199-171130-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026
.SYNOPSIS FOR SOUTHWEST ALASKA+BRISTOL BAY+THE ALASKA
PENINSULA WATERS AND THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS...

A 1025 mb low at Saint Matthew Island moves to 40 nm S of Dutch 
Harbor at 1020 mb Tue afternoon and continues S into the North 
Pacific through Wed afternoon. Otherwise, high pressure persists 
over the western Bering Sea through Wed afternoon.

$$

PKZ750-171130-
Sitkinak to Castle Cape out to 15 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

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

.TONIGHT...NW wind 50 kt. Gusts to 60 kt out of bays and passes. Seas
11 ft. Extreme freezing spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater 
may rapidly accumulate on vessels.
.TUE...NW wind 50 kt. Gusts to 60 kt out of bays and passes. Seas 9 
ft. Extreme freezing spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may
rapidly accumulate on vessels.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 45 kt. Gusts to 60 kt out of bays and passes. Seas
8 ft. Extreme freezing spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater 
may rapidly accumulate on vessels.
.WED...NW wind 45 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.WED NIGHT...NW wind 40 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...NW wind 40 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.SAT...NW wind 35 kt. Seas 6 ft.

$$

PKZ751-171130-
Sitkinak to Castle Cape from 15 to 100 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 45 kt. Seas 17 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE...NW wind 40 kt. Seas 15 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 40 kt. Seas 14 ft. Freezing spray.
.WED AND WED NIGHT...NW wind 35 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.THU...NW wind 35 kt. Seas 12 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 9 ft.

$$

PKZ752-171130-
Castle Cape to Cape Tolstoi out to 15 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

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

.TONIGHT...NW wind 45 kt. Seas 7 ft. Heavy freezing spray.
.TUE...NW wind 45 kt. Seas 6 ft. Heavy freezing spray.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 40 kt. Seas 4 ft. Heavy freezing spray.
.WED...NW wind 35 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.WED NIGHT...NW wind 40 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...NW wind 40 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.SAT...NW wind 35 kt. Seas 3 ft.

$$

PKZ753-171130-
Castle Cape to Cape Tolstoi from 15 to 100 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...GALE WARNING THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 35 kt. Seas 13 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE...NW wind 35 kt. Seas 12 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 35 kt. Seas 11 ft. Freezing spray.
.WED AND WED NIGHT...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...NW wind 35 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.SAT...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 8 ft.

$$

PKZ754-171130-
Cape Tolstoi to Cape Sarichef out to 15 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...GALE WARNING TUESDAY NIGHT...
...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 4 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE...N wind 30 kt. Seas 4 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE NIGHT...N wind 35 kt. Seas 4 ft. Heavy freezing spray.
.WED AND WED NIGHT...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...NW wind 35 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.SAT...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 4 ft.

$$

PKZ755-171130-
Cape Tolstoi to Cape Sarichef from 15 to 100 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...GALE WARNING TONIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 35 kt. Seas 10 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 9 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE NIGHT...N wind 30 kt. Seas 9 ft. Freezing spray.
.WED AND WED NIGHT...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.THU THROUGH SAT...NW wind 30 kt. Seas 10 ft.

$$

PKZ756-171130-
Port Heiden to Nelson Lagoon out to 15 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...BRISK WIND ADVISORY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 30 kt.
.TUE...NW wind 30 kt.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 30 kt.
.WED AND WED NIGHT...NW wind 25 kt.
.THU...NW wind 30 kt.
.FRI...NW wind 25 kt.
.SAT...NW wind 20 kt.

$$

PKZ757-171130-
Port Heiden to Nelson Lagoon from 15 to 60 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...BRISK WIND ADVISORY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 30 kt.
.TUE...NW wind 30 kt.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 30 kt.
.WED...NW wind 25 kt.
.WED NIGHT...NW wind 30 kt.
.THU...NW wind 30 kt.
.FRI...NW wind 25 kt.
.SAT...NW wind 20 kt.

$$

PKZ758-171130-
Nelson Lagoon to Cape Sarichef out to 15 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 30 kt. Seas in ice free waters 5 ft. Freezing
spray.
.TUE...N wind 25 kt. Seas in ice free waters 4 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE NIGHT...N wind 30 kt. Seas in ice free waters 5 ft. Freezing
spray.
.WED...NW wind 25 kt. Seas in ice free waters 5 ft.
.WED NIGHT...NW wind 30 kt. Seas in ice free waters 4 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...N wind 30 kt. Seas in ice free waters 8 ft.
.SAT...N wind 25 kt. Seas in ice free waters 7 ft.

$$

PKZ759-171130-
Nelson Lagoon to Cape Sarichef from 15 to 70 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 25 kt. Seas in ice free waters 5 ft. Freezing
spray.
.TUE...N wind 25 kt. Seas in ice free waters 4 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE NIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Seas in ice free waters 4 ft. Freezing
spray.
.WED...NW wind 25 kt. Seas in ice free waters 4 ft.
.WED NIGHT...NW wind 30 kt. Seas in ice free waters 4 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...N wind 30 kt. Seas in ice free waters 7 ft.
.SAT...N wind 25 kt. Seas in ice free waters 6 ft.

$$

PKZ770-171130-
Cape Sarichef to Nikolski Bering Side out to 15 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TONIGHT AND TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 6 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE...N wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE NIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft. Freezing spray.
.WED...N wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.WED NIGHT...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...N wind 30 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.SAT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.

$$

PKZ772-171130-
Cape Sarichef to Nikolski Bering Side from 15 to 85 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

.TONIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE...N wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE NIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft. Freezing spray.
.WED...N wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.WED NIGHT...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...N wind 30 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.SAT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.

$$

PKZ771-171130-
Unalaska Bay-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

.TONIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE...N wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE NIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 5 ft. Freezing spray.
.WED...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.WED NIGHT...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...N wind 25 kt. Seas 10 ft.
.SAT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.

$$

PKZ773-171130-
Cape Sarichef to Nikolski Pacific Side out to 15 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY TONIGHT AND TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE NIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft. Freezing spray.
.WED AND WED NIGHT...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...N wind 30 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.SAT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft.

$$

PKZ774-171130-
Cape Sarichef to Nikolski Pacific Side from 15 to 85 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft. Freezing spray.
.TUE NIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft. Freezing spray.
.WED AND WED NIGHT...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...N wind 30 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.SAT...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.

$$

PKZ775-171130-
Nikolski to Seguam Bering Side out to 15 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

.TONIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.TUE...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.WED AND WED NIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.THU...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.

$$

PKZ776-171130-
Nikolski to Seguam Bering Side from 15 to 85 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

.TONIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.TUE...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.WED...N wind 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.WED NIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.THU...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.

$$

PKZ777-171130-
Nikolski to Seguam Pacfic Side out to 15 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

.TONIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.TUE...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.WED AND WED NIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.THU...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.

$$

PKZ778-171130-
Nikolski to Seguam Pacific Side from 15 to 75 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

.TONIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.TUE...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.WED...N wind 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.WED NIGHT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.THU...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...N wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.

$$

PKZ780-171130-
Seguam to Adak Bering Side out to 15 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

.TONIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.TUE...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.WED AND WED NIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.THU...NW wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.

$$

PKZ781-171130-
Seguam to Adak Bering Side from 15 to 85 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

.TONIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.TUE...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.WED...N wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.WED NIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.THU...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.

$$

PKZ782-171130-
Seguam to Adak Pacific Side out to 15 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

.TONIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.TUE...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.WED AND WED NIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.THU...NW wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.

$$

PKZ783-171130-
Seguam to Adak Pacific Side from 15 to 75 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

.TONIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.TUE...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.WED...N wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.WED NIGHT...N wind 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.THU...NW wind 15 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.FRI...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.SAT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft.

$$

PKZ784-171130-
Adak to Kiska Bering Side-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

.TONIGHT...NW wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.TUE...NW wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.WED...N wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.WED NIGHT...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.THU...E wind 15 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.FRI...E wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.SAT...E wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.

$$

PKZ785-171130-
Adak to Kiska Pacific Side-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

.TONIGHT...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.TUE...NW wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.WED...N wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.WED NIGHT...E wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.THU...SE wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.FRI...E wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.SAT...E wind 30 kt. Seas 9 ft.

$$

PKZ786-171130-
Kiska to Attu Bering Side-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

.TONIGHT...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.TUE...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.WED...E wind 15 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.WED NIGHT...SE wind 20 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.THU THROUGH FRI...SE wind 25 kt. Seas 9 ft.
.SAT...SE wind 30 kt. Seas 10 ft.

$$

PKZ787-171130-
Kiska to Attu Pacific Side-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

.TONIGHT...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 3 ft.
.TUE...Variable wind 10 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...E wind 15 kt. Seas 4 ft.
.WED...SE wind 20 kt. Seas 5 ft.
.WED NIGHT...SE wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
.THU...SE wind 25 kt. Seas 11 ft.
.FRI THROUGH SAT...E wind 30 kt. Seas 12 ft.

$$

PKZ766-171130-
Pribilof Islands Nearshore Waters-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

.TONIGHT...NW wind 15 kt. Seas in ice free waters 2 ft.
.TUE...NE wind 15 kt. Seas in ice free waters 3 ft. Freezing
spray.
.TUE NIGHT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas in ice free waters 3 ft.
.WED AND WED NIGHT...N wind 25 kt. Seas in ice free waters 4 ft.
.THU...N wind 30 kt. Seas in ice free waters 5 ft.
.FRI...N wind 25 kt. Seas in ice free waters 5 ft.
.SAT...N wind 20 kt. Seas in ice free waters 4 ft.

$$

PKZ760-171130-
Bristol Bay greater than 15 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...BRISK WIND ADVISORY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 30 kt.
.TUE...NW wind 30 kt.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 30 kt.
.WED...NW wind 25 kt.
.WED NIGHT...NW wind 30 kt.
.THU...NW wind 30 kt.
.FRI...NW wind 25 kt.
.SAT...NW wind 15 kt.

$$

PKZ761-171130-
Bristol Bay from Port Heiden to Cape Chichagof out to 15 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...BRISK WIND ADVISORY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 30 kt.
.TUE...NW wind 30 kt.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 30 kt.
.WED AND WED NIGHT...NW wind 25 kt.
.THU...NW wind 30 kt.
.FRI...NW wind 20 kt.
.SAT...NW wind 15 kt.

$$

PKZ762-171130-
Bristol Bay from Cape Chichagof to Cape Pierce out to 15 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...BRISK WIND ADVISORY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 30 kt.
.TUE...NW wind 30 kt.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 30 kt.
.WED...NW wind 25 kt.
.WED NIGHT...NW wind 30 kt.
.THU...NW wind 30 kt.
.FRI...N wind 25 kt.
.SAT...NW wind 20 kt.

$$

PKZ763-171130-
Kuskokwim Delta and Etolin Strait out to 15 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...BRISK WIND ADVISORY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...N wind 30 kt.
.TUE...N wind 25 kt.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 30 kt.
.WED...NW wind 35 kt.
.WED NIGHT...NW wind 40 kt.
.THU...N wind 35 kt.
.FRI...N wind 30 kt.
.SAT...N wind 25 kt.

$$

PKZ764-171130-
Kuskokwim Delta from 15 to 80 NM-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...BRISK WIND ADVISORY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...

.TONIGHT...NW wind 30 kt.
.TUE...N wind 30 kt.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 30 kt.
.WED AND WED NIGHT...NW wind 30 kt.
.THU THROUGH FRI...N wind 30 kt.
.SAT...N wind 25 kt.

$$

PKZ765-171130-
North and West of Nunivak Island-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

.TONIGHT...N wind 15 kt.
.TUE...N wind 15 kt.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 15 kt.
.WED AND WED NIGHT...N wind 30 kt.
.THU...N wind 30 kt.
.FRI...N wind 25 kt.
.SAT...N wind 20 kt.

$$

PKZ767-171130-
Saint Matthew Island Waters-
234 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

.TONIGHT...Variable wind 10 kt E of Saint Matthew Island...N 20 kt
W of Saint Matthew Island. Seas in ice free waters 6 ft.
.TUE...NE wind 15 kt. Seas in ice free waters 4 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas in ice free waters 4 ft.
.WED AND WED NIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas in ice free waters 3 ft.
.THU...N wind 25 kt. Seas in ice free waters 5 ft.
.FRI...N wind 20 kt. Seas in ice free waters 4 ft.
.SAT...NW wind 15 kt. Seas in ice free waters 4 ft.

$$

Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
436 PM AKDT Sun Mar 15 2026

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

Winter's grip continues to hold firmly in place as yet another
substantial push of Arctic air begins to filter into
Southcentral. The upper level pattern over the region is becoming
a bit more complex, with two separate shortwave troughs over the
Gulf and western Alaska Range beginning to interact with one
another. These features will soon consolidate into a large and
very deep upper level low over the Gulf as very cold and dry air
continues to stream into much of Southcentral off to the north of
this feature.

In the near term, snow showers are continuing to move into Cordova
and Valdez, while steadier snow persists across much of the Copper
Basin. Clouds have managed to mostly clear up for the time being
across much of the Susitna Valley down to the Kenai Peninsula, but
some upper level cloud cover bending back west around the trough
over the Gulf could fill back in as the evening progresses. Gusty
gap winds are also already picking up as cold air advection
increases and as a developing north-south pressure gradient
tightens up. Some of these gap winds are causing areas of blowing
snow, including near Valdez and Whittier. Very strong and gusty
winds are leading to more significant blowing snow through
Thompson Pass, where a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect
through tomorrow afternoon due to visibilities reduced to a half
mile or less at times.

Looking farther out into the week ahead, very little change is
expected to the broader picture as the Gulf low stalls out close
to Middleton Island while cold, dry air continues to filter into
Southcentral from the north, leading to a steady cooling trend
through midweek. Strong northerly gap winds will peak in
intensity for most places on Monday as the surface low in the gulf
and the strong pressure gradient to the north both reach their
maximum strength. Some of the strongest winds across the outlook
area are expected to affect marine waters north of Kodiak Island.
Across Shelikof Strait and west of the Barren Islands, heavy to
extreme freezing spray rates are likely through Tuesday due to the
combination of winds up to Storm Force and air temperatures in
the single digits to 10s above zero. Over land, the Thompson Pass,
Seward, Whittier and Palmer areas will likely see some of the
strongest wind gusts. Wind Advisories are now set to go into
effect later this evening into Monday for both Seward and the Mat
Valley, where wind gusts up to 50 mph can be expected at times.

By Wednesday, gap winds will begin to trend down somewhat as the
Gulf low begins to weaken and as northerly cold air advection
wanes. Much below average temperatures will persist, with high
temperatures in many locations still struggling to get above the
values for our normal low temperatures for mid March.

-AS

&&

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

Minimal changes through the middle of the work week. Blocking
ridge will remain anchored over the western Aleutians deep into
the week while northerly flow remains ever present. Otherwise the
previous discussion covered everything well.

---previous discussion---

Northerly flow continues over Southwest Alaska and the Bering
Sea. The large blocking ridge visible in satellite imagery
continues to remain in place centered over the western Aleutians.
This persistent pattern continues into this week, with relatively
inactive weather expected across Southwest Alaska, the Bering Sea,
and the Aleutians. A weak shortwave moving north-to-south across
coastal Southwest has resulted in some light snow showers across
the Kuskokwim Delta early this morning and are expected to quickly
come to an end.

An Arctic trough digging southwards across the Interior and
stretching into the Gulf of Alaska will again allow for northerly
to northwesterly winds to strengthen across Southwest Alaska, the
Alaska Peninsula, and the eastern Bering Sea. Winds are expected
to strengthen throughout the day today, and will remain elevated
through at least the first half of this week as low pressure
develops in the Gulf while the ridge over the western Bering
remains nearly stationary. These stronger winds combined with low-
level cold air advection will lead to areas of heavy freezing
spray in coastal waters along the ice edge and the Pacific-side of
the Alaska Peninsula. Periods of blowing snow and reduced
visibilities will also be possible for locations including the
Kuskokwim Delta coast and portions of the Alaska Peninsula as
winds pick up and antecedent conditions remain favorable. This
pattern is expected to remain persistent through much of the week,
with any variation in the forecast due to weak shortwaves
rounding the ridge and promoting snow showers along the Aleutian
Chain.

-JH

&&

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

The long-term period begins with stubborn high pressure
persisting across the western Bering Sea and Western Aleutians
through Thursday. There are indications that this high pressure
system will slowly move eastward to the central Bering and Central
Aleutians through the end of next weekend. This would open the
door to moisture from a series of North Pacific fronts making it
over the Western Aleutians while the Central Aleutians remain
relatively quiet.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Aleutians, the Pribilof Islands, and
Alaska Peninsula (AKPEN) will continue to be within cold northerly
flow coming off of the Bering through the long-term period.
Therefore, in this northerly flow pattern, expect snow showers
from time to time across the locations mentioned above through the
long-term period. Mainland Southwest Alaska looks to mainly stay
dry and cold as the current pattern persists. Any snow showers
will remain confined to the mountain ranges.

Out east towards Southcentral Alaska, a low pressure system will
remain in the Gulf of Alaska through the long-term period. This
will help to maintain enhanced gap winds through the favored
terrain and passes. Expect the majority of precipitation, in the
form of snow, to remain across the coast and coastal mountain
ranges of Prince William Sound, the Eastern Kenai Peninsula, and
the southern facing slopes of the Chugach Range along the north
Gulf Coast. Most inland locations look to remain on the dry side
with maybe portions of the southern Copper River Basin seeing some
snow showers from time to time making it across the Chugach;
especially Thursday and Friday.

&&

.AVIATION...

PANC...VFR conditions are expected to persist through Monday.
Northerly winds will increase through this evening and then
remain gusty through Monday.

&&