Heavy Freezing Spray Warning Issued for Alaska Peninsula Waters from Nelson Lagoon to Cape Sarichef

Alert Details

The National Weather Service (NWS) Anchorage AK has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for coastal waters. This alert (NWS event code UPW) indicates that extreme freezing spray is likely to occur, posing a significant hazard to maritime vessels in the region.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the coastal waters from Nelson Lagoon to Cape Sarichef, extending out to 15 nautical miles. This area includes portions of the Southwest Alaska and Alaska Peninsula waters.

What You Should Do

Mariners are advised to avoid the warning area. The NWS recommends taking precautions as extreme freezing spray can accumulate rapidly on vessels, potentially affecting stability and safety. The response level for this event is categorized as “Avoid.”

Expected Conditions

Conditions in ice-free waters are expected to deteriorate tonight and Monday. North winds are forecast at 30 knots with seas reaching 7 feet. Extreme freezing spray is expected at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater. These conditions may cause ice to accumulate rapidly on vessels, particularly during the overnight hours and Monday morning.

Timeline

The Heavy Freezing Spray Warning is effective starting at 5:00 PM AKDT on Sunday, March 15, 2026. The hazardous conditions are expected to persist until the warning expires at 5:00 PM AKDT on Monday, March 16, 2026.