Heavy Freezing Spray Warning Issued for Passage Canal Through Sunday Morning

Alert Details

The National Weather Service (NWS) Anchorage AK has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for the Passage Canal region. This alert is classified as a severe meteorological event, indicating a high likelihood of hazardous conditions for maritime activities.

Affected Areas

The primary geographic region affected by this warning is Passage Canal (PKZ723) along the Northern Gulf of Alaska Coast.

What You Should Do

Official guidance recommends that mariners and vessel operators avoid the area during the warning period. Heavy freezing spray can cause rapid ice accumulation on vessels, which significantly impacts stability and safety at sea.

Expected Conditions

Based on the Coastal Waters Forecast, the following conditions are anticipated:

• Wind: West winds at 25 knots are expected today and tonight, decreasing to 15 knots on Sunday.
• Seas: Wave heights are forecast at 3 feet today and tonight, subsiding to 2 feet on Sunday.
• Accumulation: Heavy freezing spray is expected through tonight, transitioning to standard freezing spray on Sunday.
• Extended Outlook: Conditions are expected to improve by Tuesday and Wednesday with winds dropping below 10 knots.

Timeline

The warning is effective immediately and is set to expire at 5:00 AM AKST on Sunday, March 1, 2026. A Small Craft Advisory is also in effect through tonight.