Heavy Freezing Spray Warning Issued for Bristol Bay Coastal Waters

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Anchorage, AK, has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for coastal waters. The alert is currently in effect and remains active through early Friday morning.

Affected Areas

The warning covers Bristol Bay from Port Heiden to Cape Chichagof, extending out to 15 nautical miles. This includes the forecast zone PKZ761.

What You Should Do

The National Weather Service recommends that mariners avoid the affected area if possible. Heavy freezing spray can cause significant ice accumulation on vessels, which may lead to stability issues and hazardous operating conditions.

Expected Conditions

Northwest winds are expected to remain steady at 25 knots through Friday. Seas in ice-free waters are forecast at 2 feet today, rising significantly to 8 feet tonight and through Friday. Heavy freezing spray is the primary hazard through tonight, with conditions expected to transition to standard freezing spray on Friday.

Timeline

The Heavy Freezing Spray Warning is effective from 3:31 AM AKST on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The warning is scheduled to remain in effect until 5:00 AM AKST on Friday, February 20, 2026.