Bering Sea low to push 13-foot seas into Bristol Bay, Kuskokwim Delta Wednesday

Dangerous marine conditions are forecast to hit two of Alaska's busiest commercial fishing zones Wednesday, with wave heights expected to reach 13 feet on the Northern Bristol Bay Coast and up to 14 feet along the Kuskokwim Delta Coast and Western Capes.

The National Weather Service in Anchorage issued Special Weather Statements for both areas Monday. On the Northern Bristol Bay Coast, sustained winds are forecast to reach 25 to 35 mph with gusts between 35 and 45 mph, peaking Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday evening before slowly diminishing through Thursday morning. Wave heights are expected to peak at 9 to 13 feet during that same window. The higher end of those wave totals is more likely farther from shore.

On the Kuskokwim Delta Coast and Western Capes, seas will build from 5 to 6 feet Wednesday morning to 8 to 14 feet by Wednesday afternoon, again with the largest seas offshore. Gusts there will also reach 45 mph.

Rainfall and Coastal Flooding

Rainfall forecasts are area-specific. The Wednesday-into-Thursday system is expected to bring 0.50 to 1.00 inches to the Kuskokwim Delta Coast and Western Capes, with the heaviest amounts near Quinhagak and Platinum. Northern Bristol Bay is forecast to receive 0.50 to 0.75 inches, with the highest totals near Togiak. An earlier Tuesday system is forecast to bring 0.75 to 1.25 inches to the Nushagak Peninsula and Cape Constantine.

A southerly wind push up Nushagak Bay is expected Wednesday morning and could raise water levels in the bay. The National Weather Service in Anchorage said coastal flooding is of little to no concern because of lower tides.

Bristol Bay Season at Peak

The storm arrives during Bristol Bay's active summer fishing season. The National Weather Service in Anchorage said conditions will slowly subside beginning Thursday morning. The broader Bering Sea low is also expected to track toward Norton Sound by late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. Fishers and coastal residents should monitor updated forecasts at weather.gov as the system progresses.