Heavy Freezing Spray Warning Issued for Barren Islands East Through Wednesday Morning

Alert Details

The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Anchorage, AK, has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for the Barren Islands East region. This alert is classified as a severe meteorological event with a high likelihood of occurrence during the specified window.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically impacts the following geographic region:

• Barren Islands East (UGC: PKZ731)

This area is part of the coastal waters forecast for the Northern Gulf of Alaska Coast, extending up to 100 nautical miles out, including areas near Kodiak Island and Cook Inlet.

What You Should Do

According to the National Weather Service, the recommended response is to avoid the affected waters. Heavy freezing spray can cause rapid ice accumulation on vessels, which may lead to dangerous stability issues and equipment failure. Mariners should take necessary precautions or seek safe harbor before the onset of the warning.

Expected Conditions

Conditions are expected to deteriorate significantly starting Tuesday night:

• Wind Speed: Northwest winds are forecast at 45 knots, increasing to 55 knots after midnight on Tuesday. Winds are expected to reach 65 knots by Wednesday.
• Sea Heights: Average wave heights of 16 feet are expected Tuesday night, increasing to 19 feet on Wednesday.
• Hazard: Heavy freezing spray will develop as high winds and cold temperatures combine over the open water.

Timeline

The Heavy Freezing Spray Warning is effective starting Tuesday evening, February 24, 2026. The warning is currently set to expire at 5:00 AM AKST on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.