Northerly winds last week pushed ice from the head of Kachemak Bay up against the end of the Homer Spit, choking off the harbor entrance and the southeast end of the Homer Harbor. Some mariners reported being unable to get out of the harbor over the weekend. Brash or slushy ice has been freezing together and begun filling in slips and around the load-launch ramp, but there are channels around larger vessels where they have been moving, said Homer Harbormaster Bryan Hawkins. Plus 20-foot high tides next week could bring in more ice from the head of the bay, particularly if north to northeasterly winds continue.

The immediate weather forecast calls for clear and sunny skies, with highs in the low 30s and lows in the low 20s. Continued cold temperatures and northeasterly winds could affect the Homer Winter King Tournament, to be held March 18.

“If you’re going to pray, be specific: warm weather and southwesterly winds,” Hawkins said.