Heavy Freezing Spray Warning Issued for Valdez Arm Through Friday Morning

Alert Details

A Heavy Freezing Spray Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) Anchorage AK. This alert indicates that conditions are likely to lead to significant ice accumulation on vessels in the region.

Affected Areas

The warning is specifically in effect for the Valdez Arm (PKZ722) within the coastal waters of the Northern Gulf of Alaska.

What You Should Do

Mariners and residents in the affected area are advised to avoid the coastal waters during the warning period. Heavy freezing spray can cause rapid ice buildup on ships, which may impact vessel stability and safety.

Expected Conditions

According to the NWS forecast, the following conditions are expected:

• Thursday Night: Northeast winds of 30 knots and seas reaching 7 feet, resulting in heavy freezing spray.
• Preceding Conditions: On Wednesday night and Thursday, the area will see stronger Northeast winds of 40 knots and seas of 8 feet with standard freezing spray.
• Subsequent Conditions: By Friday, winds are expected to remain at 30 knots with seas of 6 feet.

Timeline

The alert was issued at 3:30 PM AKST on February 25. The specific Heavy Freezing Spray Warning is highlighted for Thursday night, and the overall alert period is scheduled to expire at 5:00 AM AKST on Friday, February 27, 2026.