Heavy Freezing Spray Warning Issued for Glacier Bay and Southeast Alaska Waters
The National Weather Service has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for Glacier Bay and Southeast Alaska Inside Waters, effective through early Wednesday morning.
Alert Details
A Heavy Freezing Spray Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) Juneau AK. This alert is currently in effect and is scheduled to remain active until early Wednesday morning.
Affected Areas
The warning specifically impacts the following regions:
- Glacier Bay (Zone PKZ011)
- Southeast Alaska Inside Waters from Dixon Entrance to Skagway
What You Should Do
According to the National Weather Service, the recommended response is to avoid the affected maritime areas. Mariners should be aware that heavy freezing spray can cause rapid ice accumulation on vessels, which may lead to stability issues and hazardous conditions.
Expected Conditions
Weather conditions in the warning area are expected to be hazardous for maritime travel:
- Today: North winds at 35 knots with seas reaching 6 feet. Heavy freezing spray is expected.
- Tonight: North winds at 25 knots with seas at 5 feet. Heavy freezing spray will continue.
- Wednesday: Conditions are expected to improve slightly with north winds at 15 knots and seas of 3 feet. Light freezing spray may persist in the morning hours.
Timeline
- Effective Date: February 17, 2026, at 3:48 AM AKST
- Expiration: The warning is set to expire at 5:00 AM AKST on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
Looking ahead, the NWS notes that gale-force winds are expected to return to the region by Friday and Saturday, with winds potentially reaching 45 knots.
Source: NOAA Official Notice