National Weather ServiceAlaskaHigh Wind WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
High Wind Watches in Alaska
The National Weather Service issued 33 high wind watches for Alaska in 2025 and 32 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 6th most of any state. 2026 through September: 25, 61% above the average of 16 for those months in 2008-2025. Anchorage was covered most often (76 times since 2008).
How many high wind watches does Alaska get?
Every high wind watch that covered part of Alaska. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 25 |
| 2025 | 33 |
| 2024 | 43 |
| 2023 | 29 |
| 2022 | 32 |
| 2021 | 23 |
| 2020 | 35 |
| 2019 | 28 |
| 2018 | 27 |
| 2017 | 43 |
| 2016 | 27 |
| 2015 | 30 |
| 2014 | 27 |
| 2013 | 34 |
| 2012 | 34 |
| 2011 | 52 |
| 2010 | 28 |
| 2009 | 29 |
| 2008 | 21 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Alaska get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Alaska?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | 76 | 8 | January 25, 2025 |
| Dixon Entrance to Cape Decision Coastal Area | 61 | 0 | September 6, 2022 |
| Central Aleutians | 58 | 11 | February 8, 2026 |
| Juneau Borough and Northern Admiralty Island | 53 | 0 | April 6, 2022 |
| Eastern Alaska Range | 49 | 1 | August 31, 2023 |
| Cape Decision to Salisbury Sound Coastal Area | 46 | 0 | April 6, 2022 |
| Southern Inner Channels | 45 | 0 | April 6, 2022 |
| Western Aleutians | 45 | 10 | January 4, 2026 |
| Denali | 44 | 0 | November 7, 2022 |
| Eastern Aleutians | 43 | 8 | October 11, 2024 |
| Western Prince William Sound | 43 | 0 | October 30, 2021 |
| Northeast Prince William Sound | 36 | 4 | November 19, 2024 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a high wind watch?
A high wind watch means winds reaching high wind warning values are possible. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Alaska.