Ester Warnings, Watches and Advisories

Coastal Flood Watch issued October 21 at 10:47AM AKDT until October 24 at 1:00AM AKDT by NWS Anchorage AK

* WHAT...Coastal flooding and high surf conditions are possible due to 40 to 60 mph winds. * WHERE...Kuskokwim Delta Coast, including Kipnuk and Kwigillingok. * WHEN...8 AM Friday through 1 AM Saturday, particularly around high tides near 10 AM and 10 PM Friday. * IMPACTS...Coastal flooding of low lying areas and erosion are possible. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The most likely scenario is for water levels to be 2.0 to 3.0 ft above the normal high tide line, which would be similar to the water levels during the August 18 2024 storm. While unlikely, the worst case scenario for Kipnuk is for water levels to be 3.5 to 4.0 feet above the normal high tide line, while the worst case for Kwigillingok is 4.0 to 5.0 feet above the normal high tide line. This will likely be the strongest storm of the 2026 season so far. We will be closely monitoring this storm. In the meantime, please have a plan in place.

High Surf Advisory issued October 21 at 10:47AM AKDT until October 24 at 7:00AM AKDT by NWS Anchorage AK

* WHAT...Water levels most likely around 1.0 to 2.0 feet above the normal highest tide line, with highest water levels expected near Togiak. * WHERE...Northern Bristol Bay Coast. * WHEN...10 AM Friday to 7AM Saturday * IMPACTS...Nuisance flooding of low lying areas. Coastal erosion is possible. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A Bering front arrives to the Southwest Alaska coast Friday morning, bringing a prolonged period of strong southerly winds towards the coast. These winds will result in elevated water levels and high surf. This period of winds will coincide with two tidal cycles and push water levels 1.0 to 2.0 feet above the normal highest tide line. Water levels are expected to quickly drop off Saturday morning as winds decrease, alleviating coastal concerns.

High Wind Watch issued October 21 at 3:42AM AKDT until October 25 at 1:00AM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...Southeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 70 mph possible. * WHERE...Eastern Alaska Range North of Trims Camp and Northern Denali Borough. * WHEN...From Friday evening through late Saturday night. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

High Wind Watch issued October 21 at 3:27AM AKDT until October 24 at 10:00AM AKDT by NWS Anchorage AK

* WHAT...Southeast winds 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 75 mph possible. * WHERE...Aleutians East Borough, including Cold Bay and King Cove. * WHEN...From Friday morning through Saturday morning. * IMPACTS...High winds could move loose debris, damage property, and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A storm force Bering front will bring strong southeast winds to Cold Bay and King Cove. As winds are enhanced through the southeast to northwest oriented gap, there is medium confidence (40 to 60 percent chance) of wind gusts reaching 75 mph or greater.

High Wind Watch issued October 21 at 3:27AM AKDT until October 24 at 10:00AM AKDT by NWS Anchorage AK

* WHAT...South to southeast winds 35 to 50 mph with gusts up to 70 mph possible. * WHERE...Kuskokwim Delta, Platinum and Goodnews Bay, and Northern Bristol Bay Coast. * WHEN...From Friday morning through Saturday morning. * IMPACTS...High winds could move loose debris, damage property, and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A strong, storm force Bering front is on track to sweep the Aleutian Chain and arrive to the Kuskokwim Delta/coast and Bristol Bay coast Friday morning. There is currently medium to high confidence (60 to 80 percent chance) of wind gusts exceeding 60 mph for these locations.

Winter Weather Advisory issued October 21 at 3:01AM AKDT until October 21 at 4:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 3 and 7 inches. * WHERE...Fairbanks, Fox, Chatanika, Ester and Nenana. * WHEN...Until 4 PM AKDT this afternoon. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snowfall rates will diminish through Wednesday.

Winter Storm Warning issued October 21 at 3:01AM AKDT until October 21 at 4:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 11 inches expected. * WHERE...Upper Chena River Valley, White Mountains and High Terrain South of the Yukon River, and Yukon Flats. * WHEN...Until 4 PM AKDT this afternoon. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Gusty winds could lead to areas of blowing snow which could reduce visibility below one half mile at times. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snowfall rates will diminish through Wednesday.

Winter Storm Warning issued October 21 at 3:01AM AKDT until October 21 at 4:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches expected, with lower totals of 1 to 3 inches expected from Northway to the Alcan Border along the Alaska Highway. Locally higher snow totals of 12 to 16 inches will be possible, especially between Tanacross and Dot Lake. * WHERE...Delta Junction, Fortymile Country, and Upper Tanana Valley. * WHEN...Until 4 PM AKDT this afternoon. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snowfall rates will diminish through Wednesday.

Winter Storm Warning issued October 21 at 3:01AM AKDT until October 21 at 4:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 10 inches. * WHERE...Eielson AFB and Salcha, Harding Lake, and Two Rivers. * WHEN...Until 4 PM AKDT this afternoon. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snowfall rates will diminish through Wednesday.

Winter Storm Warning issued October 21 at 3:01AM AKDT until October 22 at 4:00AM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations up to two inches. * WHERE...Eastern Alaska Range North of Trims Camp and Eastern Alaska Range South of Trims Camp. * WHEN...Until 4 AM AKDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Heavy snow continues to build in Monday night and is expected to last through Tuesday and Wednesday. Winds shift to the north Tuesday with gusts in the 20 to 30 mph range expected.

Coastal Flood Watch issued October 20 at 3:07PM AKDT until October 25 at 10:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...Significant coastal flooding possible. Water levels in the 4 to 8 feet above the normal high tide range for Hooper Bay. Water levels in the 2 to 6 foot above the normal high tide range for the rest of the Yukon Delta. * WHERE...Yukon Delta Coast. * WHEN...From late Thursday night through Sunday evening. * IMPACTS...Low lying property including homes, businesses, and some critical infrastructure may be inundated. Some shoreline erosion may occur. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Strong south to southeast winds up to 65 mph possible. 8 feet at Hooper Bay is the current high end forecast estimate with 6 feet being the current mean forecast estimate. There remains considerable uncertainty in the exact height of the highest water levels and we will continue to update the forecast as confidence improves.

High Surf Advisory issued October 20 at 3:07PM AKDT until October 25 at 10:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...Large breaking waves of 3 to 5 feet above the normal high tide line at Gambell and 2 to 3 feet above the normal high tide line at Savoonga. * WHERE...St Lawrence Island. * WHEN...From 4 AM Friday to 10 PM AKDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Localized beach erosion may occur. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...South to southeast winds increase Thursday night gusting up to 75 mph.

Coastal Flood Watch issued October 20 at 3:07PM AKDT until October 25 at 10:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...Significant coastal flooding possible. Water levels 4 to 6 feet above the normal high tide line possible. * WHERE...Shishmaref, Diomede, and Bering Strait Coast. * WHEN...From late Thursday night through Sunday evening. * IMPACTS...Low lying property including homes, businesses, and some critical infrastructure may be inundated. Some shoreline erosion may occur. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Strong south to southeast winds increase early Friday morning with gusts up to 60 mph possible.

High Surf Advisory issued October 20 at 3:07PM AKDT until October 26 at 4:00AM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...Large breaking waves of 2.5 to 4.5 feet above the normal high tide line. * WHERE...Kivalina and Red Dog Dock. * WHEN...From 10 AM Friday to 4 AM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Localized beach erosion may occur. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...South to southeast winds increase Friday with gusts up to 55 mph possible.

High Surf Advisory issued October 20 at 3:07PM AKDT until October 26 at 4:00AM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...Large breaking waves of 3 to 6 feet above the normal high tide line at Stebbins, St. Michael, and Unalakleet, 4 to 7 feet above the normal high tide line at Shaktoolik, and 5 to 9 feet above the normal high tide line at Koyuk and Elim. * WHERE...Eastern Norton Sound and Nulato Hills. * WHEN...From 4 AM Friday to 4 AM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Localized beach erosion may occur. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...South to southeast winds increase Friday morning with gusts up to 60 mph possible.

Coastal Flood Watch issued October 20 at 3:07PM AKDT until October 26 at 4:00AM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...Significant coastal flooding possible. Water levels 4 to 8 feet above the normal high tide line possible. * WHERE...Southern Seward Peninsula Coast. * WHEN...From late Thursday night through late Sunday night. * IMPACTS...Low lying property including homes, businesses, and some critical infrastructure may be inundated. Some shoreline erosion may occur. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Strong south to southeast winds increase Friday morning with gusts up to 65 mph possible.

High Surf Advisory issued October 20 at 3:07PM AKDT until October 26 at 10:00AM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...Large breaking waves of 1.5 to 2.5 feet above the normal high tide line near Utqiagvik and 2.5 to 4 feet above the normal high tide line near Wainwright. * WHERE...Northwest Arctic Coast and Northern Arctic Coast. * WHEN...From 10 AM Friday to 10 AM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Localized beach erosion may occur. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...South winds increase late Friday to early Saturday with gusts up to 40 mph.

High Surf Advisory issued October 20 at 3:07PM AKDT until October 26 at 10:00AM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...Large breaking waves of 3 to 5 feet above the normal high tide line. * WHERE...Western Arctic Coast. * WHEN...From 10 AM Friday to 10 AM AKDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Localized beach erosion may occur. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...South to southeast winds increase Friday morning gusting up to 65 mph. Strong winds continue through Saturday and into Sunday.

High Surf Advisory issued October 20 at 3:07PM AKDT until October 25 at 10:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...Large breaking waves of 2 to 4 feet above the normal high tide line. * WHERE...Baldwin Peninsula and Northern Seward Peninsula. * WHEN...From 4 PM Friday to 10 PM AKDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Localized beach erosion may occur. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...South to southeast winds increase Friday with gusts up to 60 mph possible.

Winter Storm Watch issued October 20 at 2:39PM AKDT until October 25 at 4:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...Blowing snow possible. Total snow accumulations up to 4 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 65 mph. Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. * WHERE...Point Hope. * WHEN...From late Thursday night through Sunday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Travel may be impacted. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Very strong winds could result in power outages.

Winter Storm Watch issued October 20 at 2:37PM AKDT until October 26 at 4:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...Heavy snow and blowing snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 6 and 18 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 60 mph. Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. * WHERE...Interior Seward Peninsula. * WHEN...From late Thursday night through Monday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow.

Winter Storm Watch issued October 20 at 2:37PM AKDT until October 24 at 4:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...Blowing snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 1 and 3 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 60 mph. Blowing snow could reduce visibility to 1/4 mile or less at times. * WHERE...Baldwin Peninsula and Lower Kobuk Valley. * WHEN...From late Thursday night through Saturday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow.

Winter Storm Watch issued October 20 at 2:37PM AKDT until October 25 at 4:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...Snow and blowing snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 6 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 60 mph. Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. * WHERE...Southern Seward Peninsula Coast. * WHEN...From late Thursday night through Sunday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Strong winds could result in power outages. Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow.

Winter Storm Watch issued October 20 at 2:37PM AKDT until October 25 at 4:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 10 and 20 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph. * WHERE...Noatak Valley and South Slopes of the Western Brooks Range. * WHEN...From Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.

Winter Storm Watch issued October 20 at 2:37PM AKDT until October 25 at 4:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...Heavy snow and blowing snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 4 and 10 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. * WHERE...Upper Kobuk Valleys. * WHEN...From Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.

Winter Storm Watch issued October 20 at 2:37PM AKDT until October 25 at 4:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...Snow and blowing snow possible. Total snow accumulations up to 6 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 60 mph. Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. * WHERE...Bering Strait Coast and Shishmaref. * WHEN...From late Thursday night through Sunday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Strong winds could result in power outages. Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow.

High Wind Watch issued October 20 at 2:20PM AKDT until October 24 at 4:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...Southeast winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph possible. * WHERE...Yukon Delta Coast. * WHEN...From late Thursday night through Saturday afternoon. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A rain/snow mix is expected Thursday night into early Friday morning. Combined with the strong winds, periods of reduced visibility due to blowing snow are possible. Precipitation shifts to mostly rain by midday Friday.

High Wind Watch issued October 20 at 2:20PM AKDT until October 24 at 4:00PM AKDT by NWS Fairbanks AK

* WHAT...Southeast winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 70 mph possible. * WHERE...St Lawrence Island. * WHEN...From Thursday evening through Saturday afternoon. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A rain/snow mix is expected Thursday night into early Friday morning. Combined with the strong winds, periods of reduced visibility due to blowing snow are possible. Precipitation shifts to mostly rain by midday Friday.

When a severe thunderstorm warning is issued, the storm may produce damaging winds, large hail, dangerous lightning, and heavy rain. In some cases, heavy rainfall produced by a severe storm can also lead to flash flooding. Do not drive vehicles through flooded areas. The water depth or fast flowing water/mud/debris from a flash flood will make road conditions unsafe. Do not rely soley on data presented here or other third-party websites - always check your official national and local weather service agency website, socials, radio and/or TV stations for making critical decisions related to weather events.

Please carefully read each posted Warning and Alert as it relates to the area(s) being affected. We may provide a wider range of issued severe weather warnings for surrounding cities and counties, so some alerts may not directly impact this location. This is done to help with preparing for severe weather that may overlap or be heading towards Ester.

Use the Radar Maps link provided to understand the trajectory of a storm.