Heavy Freezing Spray Warning Issued for Port Heiden to Nelson Lagoon Coastal Waters

Alert Details

The National Weather Service (NWS) Anchorage AK has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for the coastal waters of Southwest Alaska. The alert is classified as a severe threat with likely certainty, indicating a significant hazard to maritime operations in the region.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the coastal waters from Port Heiden to Nelson Lagoon, specifically the area extending from 15 to 60 nautical miles (NM) offshore. This includes the forecast zone identified as PKZ757.

What You Should Do

Official guidance recommends that mariners and vessel operators avoid the affected area during the warning period. Heavy freezing spray can cause rapid ice accumulation on vessels, which significantly compromises stability and creates hazardous working conditions on deck.

Expected Conditions

According to the NWS forecast, the following conditions are expected during the warning period on Thursday:

• Wind: West winds reaching speeds of 40 knots.
• Seas: Average wave heights of 17 feet.
• Precipitation: Snow showers.
• Primary Hazard: Heavy freezing spray.

Conditions leading up to the warning on Wednesday night include Southwest winds of 30 knots and seas of 14 feet with lighter freezing spray. Following the warning on Thursday night, winds are expected to shift Northwest at 30 knots with seas remaining high at 15 feet.

Timeline

• Onset: The Heavy Freezing Spray Warning begins at 5:00 AM AKST on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
• Duration: The warning is effective through the day Thursday.
• Expiration: The alert is scheduled to end at 5:00 PM AKST on Thursday, February 12, 2026.