Storm Warning Issued for Arctic Alaska Coastal Waters Near Cape Thompson and Cape Beaufort

Alert Details

A Storm Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) Fairbanks AK. The alert is effective starting Saturday morning, February 21, 2026.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the Arctic Alaska Coastal Waters, specifically the region from Cape Thompson to Cape Beaufort from 15 to 85 NM.

What You Should Do

According to the NWS, the recommended response is to avoid the area. Mariners should be prepared for hazardous conditions and significantly reduced visibility.

Expected Conditions

Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate tonight with south winds of 35 knots increasing to 45 knots. By Saturday, south winds are forecast to reach 50 knots. The area will experience snow and blowing snow, which will reduce visibility to 1 nautical mile or less. These conditions are expected to persist through Saturday night with winds remaining at 40 knots.

Timeline

• Onset: Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 5:00 AM AKST
• Duration: The warning is currently scheduled to end on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 5:00 PM AKST.
• Extended Outlook: Southwest winds of 30 knots and blowing snow are expected to continue into Sunday.