Heavy Freezing Spray Warning Issued for Castle Cape to Cape Tolstoi Waters

Alert Details

The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Anchorage has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for the coastal waters of Southwest Alaska. This severe weather alert indicates that conditions are likely to cause significant ice accumulation on vessels in the region.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the marine zone from Castle Cape to Cape Tolstoi, extending out to 15 nautical miles (NM). This area includes the Alaska Peninsula waters and the Aleutian Islands up to 100 nm out.

What You Should Do

Mariners and vessel operators are advised to avoid the warning area if possible. Heavy freezing spray can lead to rapid ice accumulation on decks and superstructures, which can dangerously compromise vessel stability. Residents and commercial operators should monitor the Coastal Waters Forecast for Southwest Alaska and Bristol Bay for further updates.

Expected Conditions

Weather conditions in the affected marine zone are expected to be hazardous:

• Wind: Northwest winds of 40 knots with gusts reaching up to 55 knots.
• Seas: Combined wind waves and swell heights averaging between 6 and 7 feet.
• Hazard: Heavy freezing spray is forecast to persist throughout the warning period.

Timeline

The Heavy Freezing Spray Warning is scheduled to begin at 6:00 AM AKST on Sunday, March 8, 2026. The alert is currently set to expire at 6:00 AM AKDT on Monday, March 9, 2026.