Heavy Freezing Spray Warning Issued for Saint Matthew Island Waters Through Saturday Morning

Alert Details

A Heavy Freezing Spray Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) Anchorage AK. The warning is effective starting at 5:00 AM AKST on Friday, March 6, 2026, and remains in effect until 5:00 AM AKST on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

Affected Areas

The primary geographic region affected by this alert is the Saint Matthew Island Waters (PKZ767).

What You Should Do

Mariners and vessel operators are advised to avoid the warning area. Heavy freezing spray can cause significant ice accumulation on vessels, which may lead to stability issues and hazardous operating conditions.

Expected Conditions

According to the Coastal Waters Forecast, the following conditions are expected in ice-free waters:

• Wind: North winds at 30 knots are forecast for Friday and Friday night, shifting to Northwest at 30 knots on Saturday.
• Seas: Wave heights are expected to reach 8 feet in ice-free waters through Friday night, subsiding to 5 feet on Saturday.
• Hazard: Heavy freezing spray is expected to persist throughout the warning period.

Timeline

• Onset: Friday, March 6, 2026, at 5:00 AM AKST
• Duration: The warning is scheduled to expire at 5:00 AM AKST on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
• Extended Outlook: Winds are expected to remain between 20-30 knots through Tuesday, with seas potentially rising to 12 feet by Tuesday.