Storm Warning Issued for Southeast Alaska Coastal Waters: Winds to 45 Knots and 40-Foot Seas Expected

Alert Details

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Juneau, AK, has issued a Storm Warning (Alert Code: SRW) for maritime regions in Southeast Alaska. The warning is effective starting at 5:00 AM AKST on Thursday, February 12, 2026, and is currently scheduled to remain in effect until 5:00 PM AKST that same day.

Affected Areas

The primary area under this warning is the coastal waters from Cape Decision to Cape Edgecumbe, extending from 15 to 80 nautical miles offshore (Zone PKZ662). The broader forecast area includes Southeast Alaska Coastal Waters from Dixon Entrance to Cape Suckling out 100 nautical miles.

What You Should Do

The National Weather Service recommends that mariners and individuals in the affected area avoid these coastal waters. It is advised to take necessary safety precautions or seek safe harbor before the onset of hazardous wind and sea conditions.

Expected Conditions

Severe maritime conditions are forecast for the region:

• Wind: West winds are expected to reach 45 knots on Thursday. Conditions will begin to deteriorate tonight as South winds increase to 35 knots with gusts reaching up to 55 knots.
• Seas: Significant wave heights are forecast to reach an average of 40 feet on Thursday. Seas are expected to build from 11 feet to 26 feet tonight.
• Precipitation: Rain showers are expected throughout the duration of the storm event.

Timeline

• Onset: The Storm Warning begins at 5:00 AM AKST on Thursday, February 12.
• Duration: Hazardous storm conditions are expected to persist through Thursday afternoon, with the warning ending at 5:00 PM AKST.
• Outlook: Conditions are expected to subside starting Thursday night, with winds dropping to 30 knots and seas decreasing to approximately 18 feet by late Thursday night. By Friday, winds are forecast to decrease further to 15 knots with 13-foot seas.