Heavy Freezing Spray Warning Issued for Bristol Bay Through Wednesday

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Anchorage, AK, has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for the Bristol Bay region. This alert is in effect from 5:00 PM AKST on Tuesday, February 24, until 5:00 PM AKST on Wednesday, February 25. A Small Craft Advisory is also in effect for the same period.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers Bristol Bay waters greater than 15 nautical miles offshore (Zone PKZ760).

What You Should Do

The NWS response instruction is to avoid the area. Extreme freezing spray can rapidly accumulate on vessels, particularly near the ice edge, which can significantly impact vessel stability and safety.

Expected Conditions

Conditions in ice-free waters are expected to become hazardous Tuesday night and persist through Wednesday.

• Wind: Northwest winds at 30 knots.
• Seas: Wave heights reaching 8 feet in ice-free waters.
• Accumulation: Extreme freezing spray is forecast at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater.

Timeline

• Onset: Tuesday, February 24 at 5:00 PM AKST.
• Expiration: The warning is currently scheduled to expire Wednesday, February 25 at 5:00 PM AKST.
• Extended Outlook: Conditions are expected to moderate slightly by Thursday with North winds at 20 knots and seas at 6 feet.