textproduct: Juneau

UPDATE

Aviation update for 06Z TAF issuance.

AVIATION

A low in the GOA will continue to move northward through the next 24hrs. The associated front wraps around the low and is sweeping north-northwest over SE AK. This front is brining widespread rain which will be heavy at times for the outer coastal areas as well as for areas PAKT S. Primarily MVFR conditions will prevail throughout the region through tomorrow mid morning, however, some isolated IFR is expected (due to either ceilings or visibility). Additionally, with this frontal passage winds will continue to pick up particularly for the terminals south of the PAWG-Port Alexander line, where LLWS of +/-25kts will continue through the overnight hours. LLWS conditions north of the aforementioned line is expected within the atmospheric column (SFC-060) but not in the lowest 2000ft (see AAWU forecast for additional details). A gradual improvement is expected to begin from the south starting Saturday afternoon.

PREV DISCUSSION......ISSUED AT

0416PM AKDT Fri May 8 2026

SYNOPSIS...

- Rain and wind return through the weekend, with total rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches across SE AK, with winds gusts 35 to 45 mph across the southern panhandle. - Periods of gale force conditions are likely along the coast over the weekend. See Marine Section for further info.

SHORT TERM.../through Sunday night/...A gale force low lifting north into the Gulf of Alaska will pull moisture north across southeast Alaska through the night, along with increasing rain potential. Multiple fronts/troughs will pivot around the low through Saturday night, bringing rounds of moderate to potentially heavy rain at times. On Sunday, as the low lifts north and weakens over the Kenai peninsula, rain will slowly diminish through Sunday night as onshore flow weakens and ridging builds into the region. Generally looking at rain accumulations of 1-3 inches through the weekend, with upwards of 4 inches possible. Added a slight chance of thunderstorms late tonight into Saturday from near Cross Sound on south as there looks to be weak instability as the front pushes across the panhandle. Additionally, snow levels look to hover around 3.5-4kft through the period. However, snow levels could dip down to 3kft across the north and could bring snow or rain/snow mix near White Pass. A couple rounds of slushy snow accumulations are possible during the nighttime and and early morning hours.

South to southeasterly winds will increase through Friday night into Saturday, especially over southern SE AK. Gusts 40-45 mph are possible late tonight into Saturday afternoon for POW Island, Annette Island and Ketchikan and a Wind Advisory is in effect. Breezy winds with gusts 25-35 mph possible for coastal communities along Icy Strait corridor down to Sumner Strait, with lighter. A diminishing trend then expected Sunday into Sunday night as the low pushes away and the gradient relaxes.

Seasonable temperatures will continue with highs in the upper 40s to mid 50s and nighttime lows generally in the 40s, both warmest across the south.

LONG TERM.../Monday through Wednesday/... Rain continues into the week across the panhandle, improving to showery and light conditions. There is a period mid-day Monday where conditions could improve to little or no precipitation due to a ridge building over the panhandle after the low pressure system jumps on land in the western gulf. However, PoP and QPF are anticipated to increase again as a front associated with a low in the Bering Sea sweeps across the panhandle on Tuesday. This precipitation is more likely to stay concentrated in the northern and central panhandle, however, the southern panhandle could see at least overcast conditions and showers. Winds are currently not foreseen to be an issue for this time period across the panhandle, except for Yakutat, which could see breezier conditions as the front passes through.

AVIATION...A low pressure system in the Gulf of Alaska is bringing deteriorating flight conditions to IFR and Ceilings at or below 1000 ft across the Panhandle. While LLWS concerns are for the southern TAF sites, rain and gusty winds will be widespread for Southeast Alaska. As the low system approaches land after 18z Saturday, the system should weaken and lead to at least some improvement in flying conditions to MVFR.

MARINE... Inside (Inner Channels): A front is currently pushing north through the panhandle brining increased southerly winds into the southern inner channels. As winds increase, they will mainly remain around fresh to strong breezes of 17 to 27 kts. By and large, expect sustained winds of strong breezes for many locations, with some favored areas, like Clarence Strait, seeing a few hours of near- gale force conditions Friday night into Saturday morning. Clarence Strait and ocean entrances along inner channels have already seen increased winds around 25 kts with gale force wind gusts. As the low continues to move northward, winds will continue to increase with the strongest winds anticipated across the south and east to west facing channels. Strongest winds are most likely to occur early Saturday into Saturday afternoon before slowly diminishing. Lynn Canal into Taiya Inlet will continue to see increased winds around 15 to 20 kts into Sunday after the low moves inland.

Outside (Gulf and Coastal Waters): A front is currently making its way north across the area bringing areas of SE near gale to gale force wind gusts of 30 to 40 kts across the gulf. This initial front will reach the northern gulf before the low moves farther north, once again increasing winds. As the low pushes northward, winds will continue to increase with sustained gale force winds over the eastern gulf and outside waters tonight into Saturday. There is even a chance of low end storm force wind gusts near Cape St. Elias. Associated with this system is an excellent dynamic fetch responsible for southerly swell, along with the aforementioned fetch of southeasterly winds generating large southeasterly wind waves along the coast. Expect large and confused seas of 15 ft, to potentially as high as 18 ft, along the majority of our coast, with the focus of wave energy from the Fairweather Grounds to Cape St. Elias.

AJK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

PUBLIC...Wind Advisory from 4 AM to 1 PM AKDT Saturday for AKZ328-330-332. MARINE...Gale Warning for PKZ644-651-652-662>664-671-672. Small Craft Advisory for PKZ022-031>036-053-641>643-661.