textproduct: Juneau

AVIATION

/through 18z Sunday/ VFR conditions ongoing across the panhandle this morning under predominately clear skies as outflow conditions persist. Main aviation concern through TAF cycle will be periods of elevated surface winds in non-sheltered locations amid strong outflow conditions and NE- ly winds 2kft inducing mountain wave activity. Sustained winds 15 to 25kts with gusts up to 40 kts will continue through the afternoon, strongest winds near Lynn Canal & Taku inlet for TAF sites like PAJN, PAHN, and PAGY. For S Panhandle, strongest winds expected near PAWG with gap winds out of the Stikine Delta. Winds slowly diminish overnight into Sunday as gradient begins to relax, 10 to 20 kts with gusts up to 30 kts. Generally clear skies and dry conditions will continue through 18z Sunday.

PREV DISCUSSION......ISSUED AT 629 AM AKST Sat Feb 21 2026

SYNOPSIS...

Key Messages:

- North to northeasterly outflow winds will continue to increase, peaking Sunday morning. Outflow winds begin to subside Sunday night through Monday.

- Temperatures bottom out Saturday night.

SHORT TERM...Clear, cold, and breezy Saturday in store. Although, the winds have actually kept temperatures mixed and several degrees warmer overnight. As a result, advisory level wind chills did not develop in the Haines area, even though the winds certainly picked up near Lynn Canal with gusts of 40-50 mph measured and the Haines airport overnight. Ironically, Skagway did not see winds as strong as that, but do expect they will later this morning as daytime heating helps to mix higher winds seen at Summit Creek down to sea level. Late tonight, temperatures near White Pass will dip a few degrees below zero causing wind chills to drop to around -30F. A cold weather advisory is in effect for the White Pass area.

Winds for the downtown Juneau and Douglas areas spiked up to high wind criteria late Friday night prompting the warning to begin earlier. Gusts to 60mph are in store through Saturday, then conditions become favorable for even higher gusts Saturday night through Sunday morning with gusts of 75mph are likely and to 90mph is not out of the realm of possibility. Due to these downslope mountain wave Taku winds, temperature were warmer overnight for downtown Juneau, staying in the mid 20s. Meanwhile, the back of the Mendenhall Valley is exactly 10 degrees colder. Expect that temperature spread across town to last through the weekend.

With the daylight getting longer, sunshine today will help to warm temps across the south above freezing (some windy spots stay in the mid 30s overnight).

LONG TERM...Sunday strong outflow winds will remain present over the region as the arctic high begins to shift east, with Skagway picking up on some higher winds. Strong and gusty winds persist through the day, with a band of very light snow moving into the southern region by Sunday night. Winds slowly diminish Monday, with much lighter winds by Monday evening. A short break is forecasted in winds through Tuesday before a low drops in from south-central Alaska, bringing an additional round of snow to southeast, similar to our most recent snow event. By the weekend, outflow returns to the region, but not as strong as what we will experience this weekend.

MARINE... Inside (Inner Channels): Northerly outflow winds continue to increase across the northern inner channels. Winds over Lynn Canal into Point Couverden and Cross Sound are gusting 50 to 60kt. These areas, along with Taku Inlet, the northern arms of Glacier Bay, and the interior passes along the northern gulf coast, will continue to be where the strongest outflow winds are located. As winds continue to increase, gale force winds will reach into Southern Clarence Strait, Stephens Passage, and Frederick sound by Saturday night. At that time, an east to west gradient becomes more prominent bringing even stronger winds out of Taku Inlet and the Stikine River Basin. The strongest of these winds will occur Saturday evening into Sunday. There is also a chance of sustained storm force winds throughout Lynn Canal at this time. With the increasing winds, seas are expected to become fully developed fairly quickly with significant seas of 10 to 15 ft possible.

Widespread freezing spray will be a large impact during this time. Heavy freezing spray will be the most prominent in Lynn Canal, Glacier Bay, Taku Inlet, and Disenchantment Bay. Hazardous conditions last through the weekend as high pressure continues to build and remain over the Yukon to BC area.

Outside (Gulf and Coastal Waters): As mentioned above, outflow winds have developed along the northern gulf coast. Areas that will see the strongest winds include; out of Dangerous River, out of Cross Sound, out of Southern Chatham, and near Grey Islet. As outflow strengthens, areas of storm force winds are likely near the NE gulf coast in aforementioned areas as well as seas building 15 to 20 ft. Winds and seas then relax Monday before another system pushes into the gulf mid week.

AJK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

PUBLIC...Wind Advisory until 9 PM AKST Sunday for AKZ318-319. Cold Weather Advisory from 10 PM this evening to 11 AM AKST Sunday for AKZ318. High Wind Warning until 9 PM AKST Sunday for AKZ325. MARINE...Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ011-053. Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ012. Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ012-013-031. Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ033. Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ651. Storm Warning for PKZ012-013. Gale Warning for PKZ011-021-022-031>035-053-642>644-651-661>664- 671. Small Craft Advisory for PKZ036-641-652-672.