textproduct: Juneau

LONG TERM

/Wednesday through Saturday/ The ridge over the Gulf of Alaska will move east and build over the panhandle through the day Wednesday and into Thursday. This ridge will be associated with low precipitation totals for most of the area. With the exception being northwest of Cross Sound, where showery conditions will remain in place. A second wave of moisture is expected to reach the northern gulf coast Friday morning. This will bring more persistent precipitation, however impacts will be minimal as there is a 20-30% chance that Yakutat will see more than 0.3 inches of rain.

Impactful winds are not expected through the weekend, but the diurnal cycle could cause breezy conditions in the inner channels. However, when skies are clear and winds lighten, there remains the possibility of isolated fog in the overnight hours, particularly the southern half of the panhandle. Temperatures will gradually increase throughout the week as the ridge moves over the panhandle bringing upwards of 60 degrees in Ketchikan and POW Island. Northern locations will see high 40s and low 50s by the weekend.

AVIATION

/Thru 18z Tuesday/ Variable conditions across the region today with scattered showers across the north and clouds assoc. with a decaying front across the south.

Ceilings are expected to improve to VFR by afternoon for most areas with largest sunny breaks over the inner channels due to WNW flow aloft. Tonight another weak disturbance moves over the top of our ridge from the W. This will bring more light rain and ceilings down to MVFR starting over PAYA tonight and over the northern panhandle again into Tuesday morning.

Gusty south winds to 30kt continue in northern Lynn and Skagway/White Pass areas. That is expected to continue into the Monday evening at least before diminishing. Otherwise lighter winds 15 kt or less for most other areas of the panhandle through Tuesday with afternoon sea breezes.

MARINE

Outer Waters: Fresh to strong breeze westerlies will prevail into Tuesday evening. Westerly swell looks to slowly build as well, particularly in waters to the south of the 57 degrees latitude line. Wave heights associated with this swell looks to build from 7-8 ft at 8 seconds to 10-12 ft at 14 seconds by this evening.

Inside Waters: Relatively stagnant pattern, with the Icy Strait corridor including Cross Sound and Lynn Canal looks to remain elevated through this evening, with a tight southerly pressure gradient driving much of the flow. Increasing northwesterlies in the southern panhandle to a moderate breeze is expected to keep any fog development away, even with moist conditions and ridging aloft.

AJK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

PUBLIC...Wind Advisory until 7 AM AKDT this morning for AKZ318. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory for PKZ012-013-021-022-053-641>644-651- 652- 661>664-671-672.