Storm Warning Issued for Northern Lynn Canal with 55-Knot Winds and Heavy Freezing Spray

Alert Details

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Juneau, AK, has issued a Storm Warning and a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning. This alert is effective as of February 21 at 2:40 PM AKST and remains in place until February 22 at 5:00 PM AKST.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the Northern Lynn Canal, specifically the Southeast Alaska Inside Waters spanning from Dixon Entrance to Skagway.

What You Should Do

The NWS response instruction for this event is to avoid the area. Mariners and residents should be aware that sea conditions represent the average of the highest one-third of combined windwave and swell height, making navigation extremely hazardous.

Expected Conditions

Severe maritime conditions are expected throughout the weekend:

• Winds: North winds will increase from 40 knots to 50 knots tonight, peaking at 55 knots on Sunday.
• Seas: Wave heights are forecast to reach 15 feet tonight and remain high at 14 feet on Sunday.
• Hazards: Heavy freezing spray is expected through Sunday, which can cause significant ice accumulation on vessels.

Timeline

• Tonight (Feb 21): North winds 40-50 kt; 15 ft seas; heavy freezing spray.
• Sunday (Feb 22): North winds 55 kt; 14 ft seas; heavy freezing spray. The Storm Warning is scheduled to end at 5:00 PM AKST.
• Sunday Night: Conditions begin to subside to gale-force winds of 35 kt with 8 ft seas.
• Monday: North winds 20 kt; 4 ft seas; freezing spray continues.