Heavy Freezing Spray Warning Issued for Yakutat Bay Through Tuesday Morning
The National Weather Service has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for Yakutat Bay as 40-knot winds and heavy ice accumulation threaten maritime safety.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service (NWS) Juneau AK has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for the Yakutat Bay region. This alert is currently in effect and is scheduled to remain active until early Tuesday morning. A Gale Warning is also in effect for the area through Tuesday.
Affected Areas
The warning specifically impacts the coastal waters of Yakutat Bay (Zone PKZ053).
What You Should Do
Official guidance advises mariners and residents to avoid the affected area during the warning period. Heavy freezing spray can cause significant ice accumulation on vessels, which poses a severe risk to stability and operational safety.
Expected Conditions
- Wind Speed: Northeast winds reaching 40 knots tonight, decreasing slightly to 35 knots on Tuesday.
- Sea Conditions: Average wave heights of 7 feet.
- Precipitation: Heavy freezing spray is expected tonight, transitioning to light freezing spray and snow on Tuesday.
- Hazards: Rapid ice accumulation on exposed surfaces due to the combination of high winds and freezing sea spray.
Timeline
The Heavy Freezing Spray Warning is effective immediately and is set to expire at 5:00 AM AKST on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Conditions are expected to transition to light freezing spray and snow throughout the day on Wednesday.
Source: NOAA Official Notice