Heavy Freezing Spray Warning Issued for Passage Canal and Whittier Through Friday Afternoon

Alert Details

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Anchorage, AK, has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for the Passage Canal region. This alert is in effect alongside a Gale Warning for the area today, February 20, 2026.

Affected Areas

The primary area impacted is Passage Canal, specifically the waters near Whittier. The broader Coastal Waters Forecast includes the Northern Gulf of Alaska Coast up to 100 nautical miles out, including Kodiak Island and Cook Inlet.

What You Should Do

The National Weather Service advises mariners to avoid the area. Heavy freezing spray can cause rapid ice accumulation on vessels, which poses a significant risk to stability and safety. Mariners should monitor conditions closely and take necessary precautions to protect life and property.

Expected Conditions

Conditions for Friday include West winds sustained at 35 knots with gusts reaching up to 50 knots. These gusts are expected to diminish slightly to 45 knots near Whittier by the afternoon. Seas are forecast to remain at approximately 5 feet. Heavy freezing spray is the primary hazard, with conditions expected to transition to lighter freezing spray by Friday night as winds decrease to 25 knots.

Timeline

The Heavy Freezing Spray Warning is effective starting at 5:00 AM AKST on Friday, February 20, 2026. The warning is scheduled to remain in effect until 5:00 PM AKST on the same day.