Storm Warning Issued for Barren Islands East as 50-Knot Winds and 14-Foot Seas Expected

Alert Details

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Anchorage, AK, has issued a Storm Warning for the Barren Islands East region. The alert was officially issued on March 5 at 3:35 AM AKST and covers the coastal waters of the Northern Gulf of Alaska.

Affected Areas

The primary geographic area affected is the Barren Islands East (PKZ731). This region includes coastal waters up to 100 nautical miles out, encompassing portions of the Northern Gulf of Alaska Coast.

What You Should Do

According to the National Weather Service, the recommended response is to avoid the area. Mariners should take necessary precautions to secure vessels or remain in port. The hazardous conditions including high winds and heavy seas pose a significant risk to maritime safety.

Expected Conditions

Conditions are forecast to deteriorate significantly over the next 24 to 48 hours:

• Wind Speed: Northeast winds of 25 knots today will increase to East 30-40 knots tonight. On Friday, Southeast winds are expected to reach 50 knots before becoming Southwest at 35 knots in the afternoon.
• Sea Heights: Seas will build from 7 feet today to 11 feet tonight, peaking at 14 feet on Friday. Elevated seas between 10 and 13 feet are expected to persist through the weekend.
• Precipitation: Rain is expected today, followed by a mix of rain and snow tonight. Rain showers are forecast for Friday.

Timeline

The Storm Warning is specifically in effect for Friday, March 6. The onset of the most severe conditions is scheduled for 5:00 AM AKST on March 6, with the warning currently set to expire at 5:00 PM AKST that same day. High winds of 40 knots are expected to continue through Sunday, March 8.