Health & Safety
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NWS Issues Storm Warning for Kuskokwim Delta and Etolin Strait Amid Broader Bering Sea Storm
The National Weather Service in Anchorage has issued a storm warning for coastal waters of Southwest Alaska, forecasting powerful winds and high seas. This warning coincides with a larger Bering Sea storm expected to bring widespread flooding and damaging winds to Western Alaska through the weekend.
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THE PRIMARY BRIEF
- 01 · The primary finding
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Anchorage, Alaska, issued a Storm Warning for the Kuskokwim Delta and Etolin Strait on October 23, 2026, valid until October 24, 2026, alongside forecasts for a larger Bering Sea storm impacting Western Alaska.
- 02 · The primary evidence
The NWS Anchorage AK issued a Storm Warning on October 23 at 3:08 PM AKDT until October 24 at 5:00 AM AKDT for the Kuskokwim Delta and Etolin Strait out to 15 NM, forecasting winds up to 50 knots and seas up to 12 feet. Broader reporting from local Alaskan media and weather services confirms a significant Bering Sea storm affecting Western Alaska, including the Kuskokwim Delta, with high winds, blizzard conditions, and potential for coastal flooding from October 22 through the weekend.
- 03 · Why it matters
The Storm Warning indicates dangerous conditions for maritime activities and coastal communities in Southwest Alaska due to severe winds and high seas. The larger storm system threatens residents and infrastructure across Western Alaska with potential for coastal flooding, damaging winds, and blizzard conditions.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Anchorage, Alaska, issued a Storm Warning on October 23 at 3:08 PM AKDT for the Kuskokwim Delta and Etolin Strait, effective until October 24 at 5:00 AM AKDT. This warning applies to coastal waters extending 15 nautical miles offshore. The NWS forecast also covers Southwest Alaska, Bristol Bay, the Alaska Peninsula Waters, and the Aleutian Islands up to 100 nautical miles out.
For the night of October 23, south winds of 50 knots are expected to decrease to 35 knots after midnight, with seas reaching 12 feet. On Saturday, October 24, winds are predicted to be 30 knots with seas around 8 feet. By Saturday night, south winds of 25 knots and 7-foot seas are anticipated. Sunday's forecast includes south winds of 35 knots and 8-foot seas. Stronger southwest winds of 40 knots and 11-foot seas are expected on Sunday night. South winds of 35 knots and 10-foot seas are forecast for Monday, while Tuesday through Wednesday could see south winds of 30 knots and 7-foot seas.
This warning is part of the response to a larger Bering Sea storm system affecting Western Alaska. This storm is forecast to hit the region from late Thursday night, October 22, and continue through the weekend. It is expected to bring blizzard conditions, damaging winds, and coastal flooding. The most intense impacts are anticipated from Friday, October 23, into Saturday, especially around the Seward Peninsula, St. Lawrence Island, the Yukon Delta Coast, and surrounding waters.
Communities along the Western Alaska coast are expected to experience high winds and widespread flooding. According to the National Weather Service, Hooper Bay could see water levels as high as 7 feet above the normal high tide line, with wind gusts reaching 70 miles per hour starting early Friday and continuing into the evening. A high wind warning is also in effect for the interior Kuskokwim Delta. Sustained south to southeast winds as high as 50 miles per hour and gusts up to 75 miles per hour are expected to impact areas along Kuskokwim Bay and upriver to Bethel through early morning on Saturday, October 24. Ribail said meteorologists are closely monitoring the potential for a second storm, which could shift winds to southwesterly for the Kuskokwim Delta coast, possibly leading to more flooding.
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