Alert archive / Alaska / Wind Advisories in 2026

Wind Advisory 6, NWS Anchorage, AK

March 15, 2026Kenai Peninsula Borough, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska

NWS Anchorage, AK issued this wind advisory at Mar 15, 2026, 12:37 PM AKDT for Kenai Peninsula Borough, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska. It took effect at Mar 15, 2026, 7:00 PM AKDT. It was in force for 34 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Mar 15, 2026, 12:37 PM AKDT (20:37 UTC)
In effect from
Mar 15, 2026, 7:00 PM AKDT
Expired
Mar 17, 2026, 4:56 AM AKDT
In force
34 hr
Issued by
NWS Anchorage, AK

Counties Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK

The radar

The Kenai radar (PAHG), 90 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:37 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Anchorage Iap/Pt. Campbe, (PANC), launched 12:00Z, 8.6 hours before the alert went out and 46 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Anchorage Iap/Pt. Campbe, at 12:00Z on 2026-03-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Anchorage Iap/Pt. Campbe, at 12:00Z on 2026-03-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -13 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
782 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
6 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-13 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
147 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

225 
WWAK71 PAFC 152037
NPWAER

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
1237 PM AKDT Sun Mar 15 2026

AKZ725-161400-
/O.NEW.PAFC.WI.Y.0006.260316T0300Z-260317T1800Z/
Southern Kenai Mtns-
Including the cities of Seward
1237 PM AKDT Sun Mar 15 2026

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM AKDT 
TUESDAY...

* WHAT...North winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected.

* WHERE...Seward.

* WHEN...From 7 PM this evening to 10 AM AKDT Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and a few 
  power outages may result.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Northerly winds will increase this evening 
  and remain strong and gusty through Tuesday morning.  Winds will 
  gradually begin to decrease during the day on Tuesday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high 
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

&&

$$

AKZ711-161400-
/O.NEW.PAFC.WI.Y.0006.260316T0600Z-260317T1800Z/
Lower Matanuska Valley-
Including the cities of Wasilla, Big Lake, and Palmer
1237 PM AKDT Sun Mar 15 2026

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM AKDT 
TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Northeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Lower Matanuska Valley.

* WHEN...From 10 PM this evening to 10 AM AKDT Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and a few 
  power outages may result.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Northeast winds will develop later tonight 
  and reach peak intensity by Monday afternoon.  Winds will then 
  gradually begin to decrease from Monday night into Tuesday 
  morning.  The strongest winds are expected near and just to the 
  north of Palmer.  For areas west of Wasilla, winds will remain 
  much lighter.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high 
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

&&

$$

Shriver
4 follow-up statements
469 
WWAK71 PAFC 161215
NPWAER

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
415 AM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

AKZ711-170200-
/O.CON.PAFC.WI.Y.0006.000000T0000Z-260317T1800Z/
Lower Matanuska Valley-
Including the cities of Big Lake, Wasilla, and Palmer
415 AM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM AKDT TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Northeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Lower Matanuska Valley.

* WHEN...Until 10 AM AKDT Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and a few 
  power outages may result.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Northeast winds will reach peak intensity by 
  this afternoon.  Winds will then gradually begin to decrease from 
  Monday night into Tuesday morning.  The strongest winds are 
  expected near and just to the north of Palmer.  For areas west of 
  Wasilla, winds will remain much lighter.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high 
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

&&

$$

AKZ725-170200-
/O.CON.PAFC.WI.Y.0006.000000T0000Z-260317T1800Z/
Southern Kenai Mtns-
Including the cities of Seward
415 AM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM AKDT TUESDAY...

* WHAT...North winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected.

* WHERE...Seward.

* WHEN...Until 10 AM AKDT Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and a few 
  power outages may result.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Northerly winds will remain strong and gusty 
  through Tuesday morning.  Winds will gradually begin to decrease 
  during the day on Tuesday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high 
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

&&

$$

Mitchell
887 
WWAK71 PAFC 162111
NPWAER

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
111 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

AKZ723-171400-
/O.EXB.PAFC.WI.Y.0006.000000T0000Z-260317T1400Z/
NW Kenai Peninsula-
Including the cities of Sterling, Soldotna, Kenai, and Nikiski
111 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKDT TUESDAY...

* WHAT...North winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph expected.

* WHERE...NW Kenai Peninsula.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM AKDT Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and a few 
  power outages may result. Travel could be difficult, especially 
  for high profile vehicles.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The strongest wind gusts will occur along the 
  coast near Nikiski.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high 
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

&&

$$

AKZ711-171400-
/O.CON.PAFC.WI.Y.0006.000000T0000Z-260317T1800Z/
Lower Matanuska Valley-
Including the cities of Big Lake, Wasilla, and Palmer
111 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM AKDT TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Northeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Lower Matanuska Valley.

* WHEN...Until 10 AM AKDT Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and a few 
  power outages may result.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Northeast winds will reach peak intensity by 
  this afternoon.  Winds will then gradually begin to decrease from 
  Monday night into Tuesday morning.  The strongest winds are 
  expected near and just to the north of Palmer.  For areas west of 
  Wasilla, winds will remain much lighter.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high 
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

&&

$$

AKZ725-171400-
/O.CON.PAFC.WI.Y.0006.000000T0000Z-260317T1800Z/
Southern Kenai Mtns-
Including the cities of Seward
111 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM AKDT TUESDAY...

* WHAT...North winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected.

* WHERE...Seward.

* WHEN...Until 10 AM AKDT Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and a few 
  power outages may result.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Northerly winds will remain strong and gusty 
  through Tuesday morning.  Winds will gradually begin to decrease 
  during the day on Tuesday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high 
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

&&

$$

DAN
002 
WWAK71 PAFC 170005
NPWAER

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
405 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

AKZ711-171400-
/O.UPG.PAFC.WI.Y.0006.000000T0000Z-260317T1800Z/
/O.NEW.PAFC.HW.W.0006.260317T0005Z-260318T0600Z/
Lower Matanuska Valley-
Including the cities of Big Lake, Palmer, and Wasilla
405 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM AKDT TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Northeast winds 25 to 35 mph, with frequent gusts to 60 mph 
  and occasional gusts to 70 mph expected.

* WHERE...Lower Matanuska Valley.

* WHEN...Until 10 PM AKDT Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and a few 
  power outages may result.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Strong northeast wind gusts are expected to 
  continue through Tuesday. Winds will gradually weaken Tuesday 
  evening and through Tuesday night. The strongest winds are 
  expected near and just to the north of Palmer.  For areas west of 
  Wasilla, winds will remain much lighter.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around 
or damaged by the wind. Prepare for the possibility of widespread 
power outages. Use caution if you must drive.

&&

$$

AKZ723-171400-
/O.CON.PAFC.WI.Y.0006.000000T0000Z-260317T1400Z/
NW Kenai Peninsula-
Including the cities of Soldotna, Kenai, Sterling, and Nikiski
405 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKDT TUESDAY...

* WHAT...North winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph expected.

* WHERE...NW Kenai Peninsula.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM AKDT Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and a few 
  power outages may result. Travel could be difficult, especially 
  for high profile vehicles.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The strongest wind gusts will occur along the 
  coast near Nikiski.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high 
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

&&

$$

AKZ725-171400-
/O.CON.PAFC.WI.Y.0006.000000T0000Z-260317T1800Z/
Southern Kenai Mtns-
Including the cities of Seward
405 PM AKDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM AKDT TUESDAY...

* WHAT...North winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected.

* WHERE...Seward.

* WHEN...Until 10 AM AKDT Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and a few 
  power outages may result.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Northerly winds will remain strong and gusty 
  through Tuesday morning.  Winds will gradually begin to decrease 
  during the day on Tuesday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high 
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

&&

$$

TK
678 
WWAK71 PAFC 171256
NPWAER

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
456 AM AKDT Tue Mar 17 2026

AKZ711-171400-
/O.CAN.PAFC.HW.W.0006.000000T0000Z-260318T0600Z/
Lower Matanuska Valley-
Including the cities of Wasilla, Big Lake, and Palmer
456 AM AKDT Tue Mar 17 2026

...HIGH WIND WARNING IS CANCELLED...

The threat has ended.

$$

AKZ723-171400-
/O.CAN.PAFC.WI.Y.0006.000000T0000Z-260317T1400Z/
NW Kenai Peninsula-
Including the cities of Nikiski, Soldotna, Kenai, and Sterling
456 AM AKDT Tue Mar 17 2026

...WIND ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

The threat has ended.

$$

AKZ725-171400-
/O.CAN.PAFC.WI.Y.0006.000000T0000Z-260317T1800Z/
Southern Kenai Mtns-
Including the cities of Seward
456 AM AKDT Tue Mar 17 2026

...WIND ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

The threat has ended.

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this wind advisory went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Anchorage, AK wrote its last area forecast discussion before this wind advisory went out at Mar 15, 4:44 AM AKDT, 7 hours 53 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 15, 4:44 AM AKDT, 7 hours 53 minutes before
Southcentral and Southwest Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Anchorage AK
444 AM AKDT Sun Mar 15 2026

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

The forecast remains on track. Snow showers will gradually taper
off through this afternoon/evening for most areas across
Southcentral. The next big shortwave drops south across Southwest
Alaska and the western Alaska range this evening. Meanwhile, a
second shortwave moves up from the Gulf and will move east to west
across southern Southcentral. These waves in conjunction with the
pull of colder air, will generate increasingly gusty gap winds
that are expected to develop as early as this afternoon for many
of the typical gaps and mountain passes. Areas who have recently
seen snowfall, namely Cordova, Whittier/Portage, Valdez, and
Thompson Pass could see areas of blowing/drifting snow through
this evening into Monday morning as a result. Blowing/drifting
snow may produce areas of significantly reduced visibilities at
times. A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for Thompson Pass
for blowing/drifting snow, and a Special Weather Statement has
been issued for Whittier and Valdez.

Going into the start of the next workweek, the general pattern
will not change much as the low over the Gulf continues to spin
in place while cold air continues to settle in from the north.
Temperatures will begin to steadily trend downwards through
Tuesday, but will not drop off to levels well below zero due to
lingering winds and cloud cover. Still, the winds coupled with
single digit or colder lows will still produce frigid wind chills
down as low as the -10s to -20s, and perhaps as low as -40 for
mountain passes along the Alaska Range and through Thompson Pass
from Monday night to Tuesday night. Long story short, the
abnormally cold pattern is showing no signs of stopping just yet.

-KM/AS

&&

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

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: Tuesday night through
Saturday)...

The long-term begins late Tuesday with the stagnant high
amplitude pattern in place -- a deep sub 500 dm upper-level low
anchored over the northern Gulf and a stout 560+ dm ridge over
the North Pacific and Western Bering/Aleutians.

The result of this pattern is continued cold across the state,
with the core of the arctic airmass draped across the Copper
River Basin and Interior and Western Alaska. Expect temperatures
to remain well below average with overnight lows well below zero
and daytime highs struggling to climb out of the single digits and
teens for the typically coldest locations. Closer to the
Southcentral coast, temperatures will still be well below normal,
but not quite as cold as multiple surface lows keep clouds and
areas of snow showers along the coast.

Between the two longwave features, multiple shortwaves will dive
south across the eastern half of the Bering through the week.
These shortwaves will bring periods of snow to the Pribilofs,
eastern half of the Aleutians, and Alaska Peninsula. In addition
to the snow showers, gusty northerly winds will maintain along
these same areas, with the strongest winds and gusts likely
across the Alaska Peninsula and the coastal waters from the
Barren Islands to Unimak Island. Gusty winds will also continue
across favored gap and mountain pass locations across Southcentral
as cold air continues to spill southward and the tight pressure
gradient between a surface ridge over the Interior and multiple
surface lows persists.

&&

.AVIATION...

A shortwave brings light snow showers to the area through 18Z as
a weak low in the Gulf of Alaska moves into Prince William Sound.
VFR conditions and northerly winds 10 to 15 kt expected
afterward. Another shortwave brings the chance for light snow
late this afternoon into this evening. Overnight into Monday,
northerly wind gusts range from 20 to 30 knots.

&&

The office that day

Everything else NWS Anchorage, AK issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 15, 2:44 AM AKDTGale WarningAFC24 hr
Mar 15, 2:44 AM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFC12 hr
Mar 15, 2:44 AM AKDTStorm WarningAFC24 hr
Mar 15, 2:50 AM AKDTGale WarningAFC49 hr
Mar 15, 2:50 AM AKDTHeavy Freezing Spray WarningAFC49 hr
Mar 15, 3:23 AM AKDTWinter Weather AdvisoryAFCChugach Census Area37 hr
Mar 15, 2:14 PM AKDTGale WarningAFC13 hr
Mar 15, 2:14 PM AKDTHeavy Freezing Spray WarningAFC13 hr
Mar 15, 3:31 PM AKDTGale WarningAFC36 hr
Mar 15, 3:31 PM AKDTStorm WarningAFC36 hr
Mar 15, 3:31 PM AKDTHeavy Freezing Spray WarningAFC23 hr

Nearby

Wind Advisories in Alaska, 2026Every wind advisory in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.