textproduct: Juneau

SYNOPSIS

Key Messages:

- Slightly stronger winds are occurring across N Lynn Canal this afternoon into this evening.

- Isolated showers continue across SE AK Wednesday and early Thursday.

- Warmer temperatures and drier conditions are anticipated for this weekend as an area of high pressure remains over the gulf.

LONG TERM.../Friday through Monday/

As the ridge builds Friday, a marine layer will set up just offshore of Baranof down the coastline to western parts of Prince of Wales. Skies begin clearing further inland over the southern panhandle sooner than the rest of the panhandle from the offshore northwesterly flow. With the ridge in place bringing a trend of clearing skies into late week, some periods of fog cannot be ruled out.

High temperatures on Saturday and Sunday look to be in the low-to- mid 70s. Temperatures aloft don't look too warm (<15 C at 850 mb), so the highest temperatures are expected outside of our area.

Some areas may see sea breezes set up Friday and this weekend as clouds decrease and temperatures increase. Most areas will see fairly light winds this weekend, but some stronger northwesterly winds (20-25 kts) in the eastern Gulf are expected as the high pressure will lead to a stronger pressure gradient, particularly along the coast of PoW to near Haida Gwaii. As of now, conditions look to be near small craft advisory criteria. Monday, a weak low pressure system looks to form in the Gulf. This will decrease temperatures and increase rain chances into next Tuesday and beyond.

AVIATION

A persistent marine layer is keeping locations across the panhandle in borderline MVFR conditions, with CIGs expected to keep rising through the morning to VFR conditions. A small chance of rain persists through the day, about 30% or less, so showery conditions should be expected across the panhandle. With showers moving through, sites could drop to 2,500-3,000 ft CIGs for brief periods of time. The overall trend through the day is improving conditions that are expected to persist through into the night.

MARINE

Outside (Gulf and Coastal Waters): Conditions across the gulf and panhandle look to be relatively benign through the day as a high pressure center sits just south of the gulf. This looks to bring winds with a westerly component to the gulf with winds reaching no higher than 15kts. Wave heights look to be diminishing to 4 or 5 feet through the day with the calmer winds. This is expected to persist through the early afternoon on Thursday before winds look to shift northwesterly and funnel along prominent capes building up to 20-25kts. This is expected to cause seas in the southern coastal waters to build to 8 ft overnight Thursday and through the day Friday.

Inside (Inner Channels): Winds in Lynn Canal are expected to have peaked early this morning just below 20kts, slowly diminishing through the day, staying around 10-15kts SE until this evening. Winds in Clarence Strait today look to reach up to 10-15kts NW today as well. Otherwise, across the inner channels, winds look to be light and variable, favoring sea breeze directions as daytime heating peaks, before becoming light and variable this evening. Winds on Thursday look to be light and variable again before Friday brings elevated winds back to Lynn Canal, Clarence Strait, and Cross Sound and Icy Strait. Southerly winds can be expected again in Lynn Canal and northwesterly winds in the gulf will channel stronger winds in Clarence Strait and Icy Strait and Cross Sound.

AJK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

PUBLIC...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory for PKZ641-661.