textproduct: Juneau

SYNOPSIS

Key Messages:

- Periods of mainly light rain continue for Monday with a diminishing trend as the frontal system departs the Panhandle. - Drying trend from NW to SE this week; with widespread warmer weather and drier conditions likely later in the week with even warmer temperatures for the weekend.

LONG TERM.../Wednesday through Sunday/

An area of high pressure will develop in the Gulf of Alaska, and this will lead to onshore flow and a general warming and drying trend for Southeast Alaska. Some cloud cover and shower activity is expected to remain given the onshore flow, and that looks to continue through next weekend.

Thursday night into early Friday, a weak low pressure will become an open wave and bring a chance for scattered showers to the Panhandle. Right now, the system looks to be fairly weak and quick moving. A high pressure system will develop behind this low, and lead to diminishing rain chances and warming temperatures. Highs on Saturday and Sunday look to be in the low 70s with fairly light winds for most, but some stronger winds (15-20 kts) in the eastern Gulf where the high pressure will lead to a tighter pressure gradient.

AVIATION

Wide spread deteriorated conditions continue through the early morning across the panhandle, with several exceptions: PAGS, PAJN, PASI, and PAWG. Wide spread showery conditions are causing CIGs and VISs to fluctuate greatly as periods of more moderate rain moves over various sites across the panhandle. Overall, conditions across the panhandle are expected to improve to MVFR to VFR as the morning goes on. TAFs indicate the potential for conditions to deteriorate again this evening as the sun sets due to lingering moisture and showery activity. The greatest uncertainty lies in which locations across the panhandle could see rain tonight or lower cloud decks develop.

MARINE

The strongest driver of winds across the area today is going to be the pressure gradient, bringing heightened winds mainly to Lynn Canal around 12-15kts SE sustained. Winds in Clarence Strait are expected to still be elevated early this morning, 17-22kt SE and increasing to 20-25kt as you move closer to Dixon Entrance. These winds are expected to diminish through the day to 10-15kts by tonight. A tighter pressure gradient is expected for Tuesday over Canada, causing northern Lynn Canal to see winds as high as 20kt SE. Wednesday brings overall calmer conditions to the entire panhandle as an area of high pressure begins to build.

The gulf waters remain mostly calm after this weekend's system. Wave heights are expected to continue to diminish through today as the remaining energy moves out of the area. Winds are expected to be generally NW in directions across the gulf today and tomorrow. Tuesday brings heightened winds around prominent capes in the area, up to 20kts sustained. Cross Sound could also see winds as high as 20kts as well due to channeling around Cape Spencer.

AJK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

PUBLIC...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory for PKZ036.