Hurricane Force Wind Warning Issued for West of Barren Islands and Kamishak Bay

Alert Details

A Hurricane Force Wind Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) Anchorage AK. This alert is in effect for the coastal waters of the Northern Gulf of Alaska, specifically targeting areas with significant maritime hazards including heavy freezing spray.

Affected Areas

The primary geographic scope of this warning includes the West of Barren Islands, including Kamishak Bay (Zone PKZ730). The warning area encompasses coastal waters up to 100 nautical miles out from the Northern Gulf of Alaska Coast.

What You Should Do

Authorities recommend that mariners and vessel operators avoid the area during the warning period. The extreme freezing spray poses a significant hazard, as ice may rapidly accumulate on vessels at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater, potentially affecting vessel stability and safety.

Expected Conditions

Conditions are forecast to be extreme throughout the alert period:

• Winds: Northwest winds are expected to peak at 65 knots on Wednesday. Winds will remain high at 55 knots into Wednesday night.
• Seas: Wave heights are expected to reach 19 feet on Wednesday, subsiding slightly to 16 feet by Wednesday night.
• Freezing Spray: Extreme freezing spray is forecast at a rate of 4 cm per hour or greater.
• Temperature/Ice: Freezing spray is already occurring and will intensify as wind speeds increase.

Timeline

The Hurricane Force Wind Warning is effective starting at 5:00 AM AKST on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. The warning is currently scheduled to expire at 5:00 PM AKST on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Conditions are expected to gradually improve through Friday and Saturday, with winds decreasing to 30 knots and seas to 8 feet.