Heavy Freezing Spray Warning Issued for Barren Islands East Through Thursday Afternoon

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Anchorage, AK, has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for the Barren Islands East region. This alert is categorized as a severe meteorological event with high certainty of occurrence.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically impacts the following geographic area:

• Barren Islands East (UGC: PKZ731)
• This region is part of the Northern Gulf of Alaska Coast, extending up to 100 nm out.

What You Should Do

Mariners are advised to avoid the warning area. Heavy freezing spray can lead to rapid ice accumulation on vessels, which poses a significant risk to stability and safety. Residents and operators in the coastal waters should monitor local updates and take necessary precautions before the onset of hazardous conditions.

Expected Conditions

According to the Coastal Waters Forecast, the following conditions are expected for Thursday:

• Wind: Northwest winds at 40 knots.
• Seas: Average wave heights of 13 feet.
• Hazard: Heavy freezing spray is expected to develop during the day.
• Additional Hazards: A Gale Warning is also in effect through tonight.

Timeline

• Onset: The warning begins at 5:00 AM AKST on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
• Duration: The Heavy Freezing Spray Warning is effective until 5:00 PM AKST on Thursday.
• Outlook: Conditions are expected to transition to lighter freezing spray tonight as winds decrease to 35 knots and seas subside to 9 feet.