textproduct: Juneau

SYNOPSIS

Key Messages:

- High pressure out in the Gulf will bring warm, dry and mainly clear weather through the end of the work week.

- Daytime high temperatures across the southern panhandle will climb into the mid to upper 70s, with interior locations across POW Island likely reaching 80s.

- A return to a cooler, more active weather pattern expected by the first half of next week.

LONG TERM

/ Sunday to Thursday / The ridging over the eastern gulf starts to give way on Sunday along a short wave to mover across the northern gulf and central Gulf coast to the Northeast gulf coast. Expect to see some light precipitation, to spread in followed by a brief break late Monday to Tuesday and then another system to move in Wednesday and Thursday. Continuing precip Friday into the start of the weekend with the onshore flow over the northern portion of the gulf and into the panhandle.

Temperatures continuing to be near normal values for this time of the year. Localize winds along Lynn Canal could lead to some breezy days for like Haines and Skagway.

AVIATION....UPDATED FOR 06Z TAFS

A high pressure system in the Gulf of Alaska is leading to VFR flight conditions across the Panhandle. With winds generally less than 10 kts, patchy fog is expected to develop across the Panhandle. Yakutat and Petersburg have the highest likelihood of fog development, but it appears possible areawide, including in Juneau.

As the ridge of high pressure remains over Southeast Alaska, VFR conditions are expected after any fog dissipates by mid-morning Thursday. As the low pressure system in Canada continues to weaken, the pressure gradient will decrease, so winds Thursday will not be as strong as they were Wednesday. Winds generally less than 15 kts are expected across Southeast Alaska Friday.

MARINE

Inside (Inner Channels): Areas of stronger winds remain over northern inner channels this afternoon, especially over Lynn Canal and portions of Stephens Passage. In these areas, northern winds around 20 to 25 kts remain and will continue into this evening before diminishing. Most other areas across the inside passage continue to see winds at or below 15 kts. This is due to an inverted trough directly over the panhandle creating an increased pressure gradient. This has brought stronger winds to the north to south facing channels. As the ridge of higher pressure moves closer to SE AK, this inverted trough will break down allowing the inside waters to relax. With continued clear skies and warm temperatures, the main impact over the inside will be the chance for sea breezes to develop. Once these calmer winds begin, they will continue across the inside until the next low pressure system approaches the area at the start of next week.

Outside (Gulf and Coastal Waters): An area of higher pressure has set up over the gulf and will remain through the weekend. This is allowing for predominately northwesterly winds at or below 15 kts for a majority of the gulf. An exception to this is the southeastern gulf, along the coast, where increased winds near 20 kts and seas of 6 to 8 ft will continue through Saturday. On Sunday, those winds and seas are anticipated to subside and diminish. Then winds will remain on the lighter side until the next low pressure system approaches the gulf at the start of next week.

AJK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

PUBLIC...Heat Advisory from noon to 7 PM AKDT Friday for AKZ328. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory for PKZ661-662.