textproduct: Juneau

SYNOPSIS

Key Messages:

- An incoming system tonight brings mostly light rain to the gulf coast and Icy Strait corridor. Less likelihood for rain in the southern panhandle.

- A stronger front moves in Tuesday, bringing moderate to heavy rain and breezy conditions to the panhandle. Skagway could see wind gusts up to 50 mph.

- For the latter half of the week, high pressure returns with more sun and high temperatures in the mid 60s to low 70s.

LONG TERM

/ Wednesday through Sunday / The weather front continues to continues to move east-Southeast then into the Canadian coastal waters Wednesday morning. Onshore flow will have showers, but there will be improving conditions Thursday as a ridge builds and brings a couple day break in the weather to weekend. Temperatures for a fair portion of the area warming to the 60s and possibly to near 70 degrees.

As the weekend progresses the ridge flattens headed to Sunday, and may see some weather start possible sweep into the zonal flow beginning to set up but has not yet reached the panhandle.

AVIATION

A low pressure system in the Bering Sea is sending a front into the Northern Panhandle today. This has brought IFR ceilings, visibilities, and gusty winds to Yakutat. The front is expected to bring MVFR ceilings to the rest of the Northern Panhandle as it moves eastward. As the system impacts the area, the strongest winds are expected for Skagway.

After 15Z, a secondary frontal band will approach the Panhandle, and keep conditions down from MVFR to IFR through the end of the TAF period for the Northern Panhandle. As the secondary front moves Southeastward, it will bring MVFR/IFR ceilings and visibilities to the Southern Panhandle after 18Z Tuesday. As the second system pushes through the area, expect winds to increase across the area as well. With the strongest winds after 21Z Tuesday, low-level wind shear looks possible for Haines and Juneau. However, confidence was not high enough to include in the TAF at this time.

MARINE

Outer Waters:

The first of a pair of fronts has turned winds to the south across the Gulf this afternoon and into tonight. Currently winds are picking up to 15-20 kt before a lull later tonight before the second, stronger front makes it pass on Tuesday. Winds Tuesday will reach 25-30 kt out of the south. This continued strong flow will build higher seas in the central Gulf. In that area wave heights of 9-12 ft will occur Tuesday night before winds turn to the west on Wednesday. This will coincide with the higher 9-12 ft seas to spread towards the southeastern Gulf as well. These westerlies will also be moderately weaker than the southerlies of Tuesday, sitting in the 10- 20 kt range.

Inside Waters:

Much like the outer waters, the inside channels will experience a tale of two fronts. Today, winds are experiencing a surge associated with a weaker frontal passage. Gusts in northern Lynn Canal have been recorded up to 25 kt, with some 15-20 kt gusts near ocean entrances, such as in southern Clarence Strait. Wave heights are generally 2-3 ft in the northern channels, reaching 5 ft near ocean entrances and in Lynn Canal. Tuesday will again see a much stronger wind and sea response with a stronger front. Gale force winds are expected in northern Lynn, and most other portions of the inside channels will see 20-25 kt winds. Seas will also reach 3-5 ft throughout.

AJK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

PUBLIC...Wind Advisory from 1 PM Tuesday to 1 AM AKDT Wednesday for AKZ318. MARINE...Gale Warning for PKZ012. Small Craft Advisory for PKZ011-013-021-022-031-032-053-641>644- 651-652-661>664-671-672.