textproduct: Juneau

UPDATE

Update to the Aviation Section to include the 18z set of TAFs.

PREV DISCUSSION......ISSUED AT 347 AM AKDT Thu Oct 29 2026

SYNOPSIS...

Key Messages:

- Quiet weather through at least early Saturday with more sun and dry conditions expected.

- A return to a wetter pattern from West to East expected through the weekend.

LONG TERM.../Saturday through Tuesday/

Going into Saturday morning, the strong high pressure still looks to keep the front further westward, not fully pushing into the rest of the panhandle until Saturday evening into Saturday night. The timing of this has increased in confidence, however remains somewhat uncertain for more inland parts of the panhandle from Juneau southward on if the precipitation onset will be more in the evening or pushed later into the overnight hours, largely dependent on how quickly the high pressure begins to break down and allow for the system to push in further than the outer coast. Model agreement is however narrowing in on the timing of this first front pushing east across the panhandle Saturday evening through Sunday morning, with the highest rainfall totals expected along the NE Gulf coastline around Yakutat. Generally expecting around 2 to 3 inches in 24 hours for the Yakutat area Friday night through Saturday night.

The precipitation type expected is still a bit uncertain for the Saturday night period and will depend largely on the location, as some parts of the northern panhandle further inland from the outer Gulf coast may see cold air damming near the surface Saturday night into the overnight hours as the front initially moves in. With this in place, some locations at sea level in the northern panhandle may initially see rain with snow mixing in before quickly transitioning to rain. Any snow mixing in is low in confidence at this time still, and will not have any expected accumulation at sea level.

This more active pattern will continue into the start of next week as a series of lows move into the Gulf, keeping wetter and comparatively warmer weather in the forecast.

AVIATION.../Through 18Z Friday/

VFR conditions continue this morning as high pressure remains over the area for the TAF period today. This will allow for good flying weather to continue for most of the panhandle. The only area that might see some decreased conditions is the Yakutat area where clouds have moved in allowing for reduced ceilings. Current thinking is these clouds will break up a little bit allowing for some improvement in flying conditions today. Confidence in the TAFs today is high overall with the exception of the Yakutat area where confidence is moderate that the clouds will improve later today.

MARINE

Outside (Gulf and Coastal Waters): A generally north wind to 15 kt becoming Southeast as front moves across the gulf through Friday. Expect winds to increase to 20 to 30 kt and higher gusty by Friday evening. Winds are expect to increase towards gale force by Saturday over the northeast gulf coast. The typical barrier jet location west of Icy Bay could see wind increasing to 40 kt or higher with the next system. The lower seas under 8 feet should increase to the mid and higher teens by late friday in the eastern Gulf of Alaska.

Inside (Inner Channels): North winds 10 to 20 kt primarily with a few localized sites up to 25 kt Wednesday morning. Winds decreasing by afternoon to 20 kt or less. For the most part winds becoming light by overnight. Winds turning southerly and starting to increase Saturday.

AJK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

PUBLIC...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory for PKZ652-672.