Storm Warning Issued for Gulf of Alaska: 50-Knot Winds and 20-Foot Seas Expected

Alert Details

A Storm Warning (NWS Alert Code: SRW) has been issued by the National Weather Service in Juneau, AK. The warning is specifically for offshore waters in the Gulf of Alaska.

Affected Areas

The alert covers the Gulf of Alaska south of 57 degrees North and east of 144 W (Geocode PKZ312). This includes the offshore waters forecast area for the region east of 144W.

What You Should Do

Mariners and those in the affected area are advised to avoid the region. The National Weather Service recommends taking immediate action to ensure safety at sea before the onset of the most severe conditions.

Expected Conditions

Significant hazardous weather is expected throughout the weekend:

• Winds: West winds are forecast to reach 50 knots on Saturday. Tonight, winds will be West at 40 knots, becoming Southwest at 25 knots late. Gale-force winds up to 35 knots will continue into Saturday night.
• Seas: Average heights of the highest one-third of waves are expected to reach 20 feet tonight and Saturday night, with 19-foot seas forecast for Saturday and Sunday.
• Precipitation: Snow is expected late tonight. Saturday morning will see a mix of rain and snow, transitioning to snow showers in the afternoon. Snow showers are expected to persist through Sunday night.

Timeline

• Effective Time: The warning was issued on March 6 at 2:02 PM AKST.
• Onset: The Storm Warning conditions are expected to begin at 5:00 AM AKST on Saturday, March 7.
• Expiration: The Storm Warning is currently set to expire at 5:00 PM AKST on Saturday, March 7, though hazardous conditions including gale-force winds and high seas will continue into early next week.