Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for Port Heiden to Nelson Lagoon Coastal Waters

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Anchorage has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for the coastal waters of Southwest Alaska. This alert is classified as a severe meteorological event with a high certainty of occurrence. A Gale Warning is also in effect for Tuesday and Tuesday night.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the coastal waters from Port Heiden to Nelson Lagoon, extending out to 15 nautical miles from the coast.

What You Should Do

Mariners and vessel operators are advised to avoid the warning area. Extreme freezing spray can lead to rapid ice accumulation on vessels, which poses a significant risk to vessel stability and safety at sea.

Expected Conditions

Conditions are expected to deteriorate starting late Monday night. Specific hazards provided by the National Weather Service include:

• Freezing Spray: Extreme freezing spray at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater may rapidly accumulate on vessels.
• Winds: North winds increasing from 30 knots tonight to 35 knots on Tuesday, peaking at 40 knots by Tuesday night.
• Seas: Wave heights in ice-free waters are expected to build from 7 feet to a peak of 11 feet.
• Precipitation: Snow showers are expected throughout the duration of the event.

Timeline

The Heavy Freezing Spray Warning is effective starting at 5:00 AM AKDT on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. The warning is currently scheduled to remain in effect until 5:00 AM AKDT on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.