Heavy Freezing Spray Warning Issued for Northwest Prince William Sound Through Thursday Morning

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Anchorage, AK, has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for the coastal waters of Northwest Prince William Sound. This alert is classified with a severity level of “Severe” and indicates that hazardous icing conditions are likely for maritime interests in the region.

Affected Areas

The primary area affected by this warning is Northwest Prince William Sound. The broader coastal waters forecast for the Northern Gulf of Alaska Coast, extending up to 100 nm out and including Kodiak Island and Cook Inlet, are also being monitored for significant wind and sea conditions.

What You Should Do

Mariners and residents are advised to avoid travel in the affected coastal waters if possible. Heavy freezing spray can lead to rapid ice accumulation on vessels, which significantly increases the risk of capsizing by compromising vessel stability. Ensure all safety equipment is accessible and monitor updated forecasts from the NWS.

Expected Conditions

According to the NWS Anchorage office, the following conditions are expected:

• Winds: Northwest winds at 40 knots are forecast for today and tonight. Winds are expected to shift to the west at 30 knots on Thursday.
• Seas: Average wave heights of 9 feet are expected through tonight, subsiding to 7 feet on Thursday.
• Icing: Heavy freezing spray is expected throughout Wednesday and Wednesday night. Conditions are forecast to transition to lighter freezing spray on Thursday.
• Additional Hazards: A Gale Warning is also in effect through tonight due to the high wind speeds.

Timeline

The Heavy Freezing Spray Warning is currently in effect as of 3:16 AM AKST on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. The warning is scheduled to remain in effect until 5:00 AM AKST on Thursday, February 26, 2026. Conditions are expected to improve by Friday, with winds decreasing to 15 knots and seas falling to 2 feet.