Heavy Freezing Spray Warning Issued for Alaska Peninsula Waters from Sitkinak to Castle Cape

Weather Alerts high NOAA · · Southwest Alaska Coastal Waters

NWS Anchorage has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for waters between Sitkinak and Castle Cape, effective through Tuesday afternoon as extreme spray rates are expected.

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Anchorage, AK, has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for coastal waters. This alert is classified as a severe meteorological event with high certainty of occurrence.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the coastal waters from Sitkinak to Castle Cape out to 15 nautical miles.

What You Should Do

Mariners and vessel operators are advised to avoid the warning area. Extreme freezing spray can accumulate on vessels at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater, which may rapidly lead to dangerous ice buildup and compromise vessel stability.

Expected Conditions

  • Winds: Northwest winds are forecast to reach speeds of 40 to 45 knots.
  • Seas: Average wave heights are expected to range between 7 and 9 feet.
  • Spray Accumulation: Heavy freezing spray is forecast for Monday. By Tuesday, conditions are expected to worsen with extreme freezing spray accumulating at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater.

Timeline

The warning is effective as of March 9, 2026, at 4:02 AM AKDT and is currently set to expire on March 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM AKDT.

Source: NOAA Official Notice

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this weather alerts alert about?
NWS Anchorage has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for waters between Sitkinak and Castle Cape, effective through Tuesday afternoon as extreme spray rates are expected.
Which agency issued this alert?
This alert was issued by NOAA. The original notice is available at the source link at the bottom of this article.
How severe is this alert?
This alert is classified as "high" severity. Take precautions and monitor for updates.
What area is affected?
This alert affects Southwest Alaska Coastal Waters. Check with NOAA for the most current geographic scope.
Where can I find more weather alerts alerts?
Browse all weather alerts alerts on Areazine at areazine.com/weather/ for the latest updates from NOAA and other agencies.