textproduct: Juneau

UPDATE...update to include the 06Z TAF issuance

Only minor edits to the forecast this evening. The gale force low continues to push into the northern gulf with attendant front weakening as it works through the northern panhandle this evening. Winds across southern panhandle and Sitka have diminished and the wind headlines have ended. Another weaker trough is approaching the southern panhandle and will lift north through SEAK through the morning.

MARINE

/through Friday night/ Mariners planning on navigating Chatham and Sumner ocean entrances should be aware of incoming southwesterly swell energy Thursday.

More details below.

Outside (Gulf and Coastal Waters): As of 2pm Wednesday, a storm force low is pushing north into the northern coast, with the low center located near 55N 143W. Coastal buoy are reporting sustained southeast gales, but they are missing the highest winds of strong gales, as seen by ASCAT satellite wind passes. One item of note is buoys reporting seas less than 20 ft but that was anticipated given the responsible fetch location and direction; there are 25 to possibly 30 ft waves in the eastern gulf, just west of buoy 83 and 84, pushing toward Cape St. Elias. Furthermore, a secondary wave system fed by gale to strong gale force southwesterly winds is a few hundred miles offshore of Haida Gwaii, which will push significant southwesterly swell toward Chichagof, Baranof, and Prince of Wales tonight. Mariners navigating our coast Thursday, especially near Chatham and Sumner Ocean entrances, should be aware of this southwesterly wave energy.

While seas and winds diminish across the region Thursday night, we continue to monitor the progression of a secondary low moving into the southern Panhandle Friday, freshening southerly winds back up to gale force in Clarence Strait, with near-gales along Prince of Wales. Mariners planning on transiting the northern coast Friday should be aware of the potential that this low tracks into the Fairweather grounds, bringing winds briefly up to gales Friday. As of Wednesday afternoon, our published forecast, and confidence, indicates NE winds of moderate to fresh breezes out of Cross Sound for Friday. Stay tuned to NOAA WX radio or weather.gov/juneau for updates.

Inside (Inner Channels): Winds continue to increase through the inner channels Wednesday afternoon into tonight in response to a storm force low in the central gulf, with the central and southern Panhandle seeing the brunt of southeasterly gale force winds. Mariners navigating Lynn Canal are experiencing moderate breezes out of the north given the parallel surface pressure gradient and parent low location in the gulf. However, overnight Wednesday near 7 pm there will be a southerly surge in Lynn Canal, but sustained winds should remain below 25 knots. Thursday morning winds begin to subside, with many inner channels feeling southeasterly winds of moderate to fresh breezes. Friday a secondary low will slide into the Panhandle, freshening winds back up to gale force for Clarence Strait and near gales for Sumner and Frederick. There is a lot of uncertainty on the track of this low, mariners should monitor NOAA WX Radio or weather.gov/Juneau for updates.

AJK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

PUBLIC...None. MARINE...Gale Warning for PKZ644-651-652-664-671-672. Small Craft Advisory for PKZ021-022-031>036-053-641>643-661>663.