Heavy Freezing Spray Warning Issued for Alaska Peninsula Waters from Sitkinak to Castle Cape

Weather Alerts high NOAA · · Southwest Alaska Coastal Waters

NWS Anchorage has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for waters between Sitkinak and Castle Cape, effective through Tuesday afternoon as extreme spray rates are expected.

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Anchorage, AK, has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for coastal waters. This alert is classified as a severe meteorological event with high certainty of occurrence.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the coastal waters from Sitkinak to Castle Cape out to 15 nautical miles.

What You Should Do

Mariners and vessel operators are advised to avoid the warning area. Extreme freezing spray can accumulate on vessels at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater, which may rapidly lead to dangerous ice buildup and compromise vessel stability.

Expected Conditions

  • Winds: Northwest winds are forecast to reach speeds of 40 to 45 knots.
  • Seas: Average wave heights are expected to range between 7 and 9 feet.
  • Spray Accumulation: Heavy freezing spray is forecast for Monday. By Tuesday, conditions are expected to worsen with extreme freezing spray accumulating at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater.

Timeline

The warning is effective as of March 9, 2026, at 4:02 AM AKDT and is currently set to expire on March 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM AKDT.

Source: NOAA Official Notice