Heavy Freezing Spray and Hurricane Force Wind Warning for West of Barren Islands and Kamishak Bay

Alert Details

The National Weather Service (NWS) Anchorage AK has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for the coastal waters west of the Barren Islands. This alert is issued in conjunction with a Hurricane Force Wind Warning effective Wednesday.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the West of Barren Islands, including Kamishak Bay (Zone PKZ730). This area is part of the Northern Gulf of Alaska Coast forecast region, extending up to 100 nautical miles out, including Cook Inlet and Kodiak Island.

What You Should Do

According to the NWS, individuals in the affected maritime areas should avoid travel. The combination of hurricane-force winds and heavy freezing spray creates extremely hazardous conditions for vessels, as ice accumulation can impact stability and safety.

Expected Conditions

Conditions are forecast to be severe through the middle of the week:

• Winds: West winds of 45 knots will increase to 55 knots after midnight tonight. On Wednesday, winds are expected to reach northwest hurricane-force speeds of 65 knots. Winds will remain high at 45 to 55 knots Wednesday night before diminishing to 40 knots on Thursday.
• Seas: Sea heights are expected to reach 17 feet tonight, peaking at 19 feet on Wednesday, and remaining at 16 feet Wednesday night.
• Accumulation: Heavy freezing spray is expected to occur throughout the duration of the high-wind event.

Timeline

The Heavy Freezing Spray Warning is effective starting at 5:00 AM AKST on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. The warning is currently scheduled to expire at 5:00 AM AKST on Thursday, February 26, 2026.