Storm Warning Issued for Saint Matthew Island Waters; 65-Knot Gusts and Heavy Seas Expected

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Anchorage AK has issued a Storm Warning for the coastal waters surrounding Saint Matthew Island. The alert was issued on February 15 at 3:29 AM AKST and covers a period of significant maritime hazard expected to begin early Monday morning.

Affected Areas

• Saint Matthew Island Waters (Forecast Zone PKZ767)

What You Should Do

Mariners and individuals in the affected maritime region are advised to avoid the Saint Matthew Island Waters during the warning period. Ensure all vessels are properly secured and continue to monitor updated forecasts from the National Weather Service.

Expected Conditions

Extreme maritime conditions are forecast for the region, particularly in ice-free waters:

• Winds: On Monday, Southeast winds are expected to reach 50 knots with gusts as high as 65 knots. Conditions tonight will see East winds increasing to 40 knots east of Saint Matthew Island and 45 knots west of the island.
• Seas: In ice-free waters, seas are expected to build from 10–17 feet tonight to 18 feet on Monday, peaking at 22 feet by Monday night.
• Precipitation: Snow is forecast for Sunday night and Monday.

Timeline

• Alert Issued: February 15, 2026, at 3:29 AM AKST
• Warning Onset: February 16, 2026, at 5:00 AM AKST
• Warning Duration: The storm conditions are expected to persist through Monday afternoon, with the warning currently set to end at 5:00 PM AKST on February 16.

Following the storm, winds are expected to remain at 30 knots through Wednesday with seas subsiding to approximately 13 feet.