NWS warns of tidal rises up to 3 feet along Eastern Norton Sound through Tuesday

Tides are running higher than normal along western Alaska's coast through Tuesday, and anyone with gear, boats, or equipment stored near the waterline in Eastern Norton Sound faces repeated exposure as water rises up to 3 feet above the normal high tide line with each tidal cycle.

NWS Fairbanks issued a special weather statement Sunday at 2:13 p.m. AKDT covering the Southern Seward Peninsula Coast, Eastern Norton Sound and Nulato Hills, and the Yukon Delta Coast. The statement expires Monday at 4 p.m. AKDT.

Eastern Norton Sound faces the highest risk. The weather service expects water to rise up to 3 feet above the normal high tide line with each tidal cycle. The Yukon Delta and Nome Coast are projected to see rises of 1 to 2 feet.

Weak south to southwesterly winds of 10 to 20 mph are pushing the water up. Significant impacts are not expected, but the rises will repeat with each high tide cycle as long as the winds hold. NWS Fairbanks said winds will weaken and shift northerly on Tuesday, ending the threat.

"Significant impacts are not expected but those with belongings on the beach may want to bring them further away from the water as a precaution," the weather service said.