Storm Warning Issued for Sitkinak to Castle Cape: Winds Up to 70 Knots Expected

Alert Details

A Storm Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) Anchorage AK. The alert is effective from 5:00 AM AKST on February 20, 2026, until 5:00 PM AKST the same day.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the coastal waters from Sitkinak to Castle Cape, specifically from 15 to 100 nautical miles out (Zone PKZ751).

What You Should Do

Mariners and residents in the affected maritime region are advised to avoid the area. The NWS response instruction for this event is to avoid travel within the warning zone due to hazardous conditions.

Expected Conditions

Extreme maritime conditions are forecast for Friday, including:

• Wind Speed: Northwest winds of 55 knots with gusts reaching up to 70 knots.
• Sea Heights: Average of the highest one-third of waves reaching 20 feet.
• Additional Hazards: Freezing spray is expected throughout the day.

Timeline

• Onset: Friday, February 20, at 5:00 AM AKST.
• Duration: The Storm Warning remains in effect until 5:00 PM AKST on Friday.
• Outlook: Conditions are expected to begin moderating Friday night, with winds diminishing to 45 knots and gusts to 60 knots before midnight. By Saturday, winds are forecast to decrease to 30 knots with 12-foot seas.