Heavy Freezing Spray Warning Issued for Valdez Narrows Through Friday Morning

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Anchorage, AK, has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for the Valdez Narrows. This alert is issued in conjunction with a Gale Warning for the region, as hazardous maritime conditions are expected to develop.

Affected Areas

The warning is specifically in effect for the following geographic area:

• Valdez Narrows (Zone PKZ721)

What You Should Do

According to the National Weather Service, the recommended response is to avoid the affected waters. Heavy freezing spray can cause rapid and significant ice accumulation on vessels, which can lead to instability and dangerous operating conditions for mariners.

Expected Conditions

Based on the Coastal Waters Forecast for the Northern Gulf of Alaska Coast, the following conditions are anticipated:

• Wind: North winds are forecast at 45 knots through Thursday, decreasing slightly to 40 knots on Thursday night.
• Seas: Average wave heights are expected to remain around 4 feet.
• Hazard: Heavy freezing spray is expected to persist from Thursday morning through Thursday night.

Timeline

• Effective Date: The warning was issued at 3:30 PM AKST on Wednesday, February 25.
• Onset: Hazardous conditions are expected to begin at 5:00 AM AKST on Thursday, February 26.
• Duration: The warning is currently scheduled to end at 5:00 AM AKST on Friday, February 27.