Marine forecast
Cape Spencer to Cape Fairweather, AK
- current wind
- 9 kt E
- Gusts
- 12 kt
- 72-hr peak
- 31 kt
- Peak seas
- 10 ft
Observed Tue 11:12 AM | PKZ644
- Gusts now
- 12 kt
- 72-hr peak
- 31 kt
- Peak seas
- 10 ft
In brief
At 11:12 am AKDT on Oct 13, 2026, NDBC station CSXA2 (Cape Spencer WX, 17 miles away) measured wind from the E at 9 kt, gusting to 12 kt. The NWS forecast for Cape Spencer to Cape Fairweather, AK issued at 7:39 am AKDT on Oct 13, 2026 reads, for today: “SE wind 10 kt. Seas 6 ft.” A Small Craft Advisory is in effect until Thu 4:00 AM.
Source: National Weather Service Juneau AK forecast; NDBC observations
Wind forecast · ktPeak 31 kt
Seas forecast · ftPeak 10 ft
Marine advisory
Small Craft Advisory in effect for Cape Spencer to Cape Fairweather until Thu 4:00 AM.
Full text of this small craft advisory
* WHAT...For the first Small Craft Advisory, east winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt and seas 6 to 9 ft expected. For the Gale Warning, east winds 30 to 40 kt with gusts up to 50 kt and seas 11 to 16 ft expected. For the second Small Craft Advisory, southeast winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt and seas 9 to 14 ft expected. * WHERE...Cape Spencer to Cape Fairweather out to 15 NM. * WHEN...For the first Small Craft Advisory, from 10 PM Wednesday to 4 AM AKDT Thursday. For the Gale Warning, from 4 AM to 4 PM AKDT Thursday. For the second Small Craft Advisory, from 4 PM Thursday to 4 AM AKDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.
Gale Warning in effect for Cape Spencer to Cape Fairweather until Thu 4:00 PM.
Full text of this gale warning
* WHAT...For the first Small Craft Advisory, east winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt and seas 6 to 9 ft expected. For the Gale Warning, east winds 30 to 40 kt with gusts up to 50 kt and seas 11 to 16 ft expected. For the second Small Craft Advisory, southeast winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt and seas 9 to 14 ft expected. * WHERE...Cape Spencer to Cape Fairweather out to 15 NM. * WHEN...For the first Small Craft Advisory, from 10 PM Wednesday to 4 AM AKDT Thursday. For the Gale Warning, from 4 AM to 4 PM AKDT Thursday. For the second Small Craft Advisory, from 4 PM Thursday to 4 AM AKDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.
Small Craft Advisory in effect for Cape Spencer to Cape Fairweather until Fri 4:00 AM.
Full text of this small craft advisory
* WHAT...For the first Small Craft Advisory, east winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt and seas 6 to 9 ft expected. For the Gale Warning, east winds 30 to 40 kt with gusts up to 50 kt and seas 11 to 16 ft expected. For the second Small Craft Advisory, southeast winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt and seas 9 to 14 ft expected. * WHERE...Cape Spencer to Cape Fairweather out to 15 NM. * WHEN...For the first Small Craft Advisory, from 10 PM Wednesday to 4 AM AKDT Thursday. For the Gale Warning, from 4 AM to 4 PM AKDT Thursday. For the second Small Craft Advisory, from 4 PM Thursday to 4 AM AKDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.
NWS marine forecast
| Period | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Today | SE wind 10 kt. Seas 6 ft. Rain early in the morning. |
| Tonight | SE wind 10 kt. Seas 5 ft. |
| Wed | SE wind 20 kt. Seas 6 ft. |
| Wed Night | E gale to 35 kt. Gusts to 50 kt. Seas 11 ft. |
| Thu | E gale to 40 kt. Seas 15 ft. |
| Fri | SE wind 15 kt. Seas 11 ft. |
| Sat | SE wind 15 kt. Seas 9 ft. |
Issued Tue 7:39 AM by Juneau AK (product CWFAEG).
Synopsis
Winds along southern ocean entrances increase Tuesday as a northward moving low clips the southern panhandle. Up north, winds strengthen near Cape St. Elias to Icy Bay as a weak barrier jet forms. By early Thursday, a strong gale force low will impact the Gulf and coastal waters.
Recent buoy conditions
| Time | Wind | Gust | Seas | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 11:12 AM | 9 kt E | 12 kt | — | — |
| Tue 10:52 AM | 12 kt E | 15 kt | — | — |
| Tue 9:52 AM | 11 kt E | 14 kt | — | — |
| Tue 8:52 AM | 11 kt E | 14 kt | — | — |
| Tue 7:52 AM | 8 kt ESE | 13 kt | — | — |
| Tue 6:52 AM | 3 kt E | 7 kt | — | — |
| Tue 5:52 AM | 6 kt N | 9 kt | — | — |
| Tue 4:52 AM | 4 kt ENE | 7 kt | — | — |
| Tue 3:52 AM | 5 kt WNW | 9 kt | — | — |
| Tue 2:52 AM | 4 kt S | 12 kt | — | — |
| Tue 1:52 AM | 7 kt SW | 11 kt | — | — |
| Tue 12:52 AM | 7 kt SW | 13 kt | — | — |
Observed Tue 11:12 AM at NDBC buoy CSXA2 (Cape Spencer WX), 16.6 miles away.
Frequently asked questions
What is the marine forecast for Cape Spencer to Cape Fairweather today?
Today: SE wind 10 kt. Seas 6 ft. Rain early in the morning.
Is there a small craft advisory for Cape Spencer to Cape Fairweather?
Yes — small craft advisory, gale warning, small craft advisory in effect until Thu 4:00 AM.
What do the wind speeds in knots mean?
One knot is 1.15 mph. The National Weather Service issues a small craft advisory for sustained winds of roughly 22–33 knots or hazardous seas, a gale warning at 34–47 knots, and a storm warning at 48 knots and above. Exact advisory thresholds vary by forecast office and by water body — a bay reaches dangerous chop at a lower wind speed than open ocean.
Where does this forecast come from?
The forecast text is the National Weather Service's own marine bulletin for zone PKZ644, issued by Juneau AK, reproduced in full. The wind and seas charts are drawn from the NWS gridded forecast for a point inside the zone. Observations come from the nearest reporting NDBC buoy. We are not affiliated with NOAA or the National Weather Service.
Forecast: NOAA/NWS product CWFAEG, issued Tue 7:39 AM. Observations: NOAA National Data Buoy Center station CSXA2, read Tue 11:12 AM. Retrieved Oct 13, 11:42 AM. Conditions offshore change faster than any page can be rebuilt, so check the current NWS bulletin and your own instruments before going out.