textproduct: Juneau

LONG TERM.../Wednesday Through The Weekend/

By Wednesday, precipitation will be winding down across the Icy Strait Corridor, as the upper level trough over the Gulf shifts eastward, and northerly flow begins to win out and shift further southward. Chances of precipitation will continue in the southern half of the panhandle as the advance of the northerly outflow will finds itself eventually stalling as a low approaching the Dixon Entrance keeps chances of PoPs in the forecast through Thursday. Chances of PoPs for the southern panhandle finally depart through Friday, as drier weather and northerly outflow prevail across the entire area, and we find ourselves on the W flank of the upper level trough through early next week. Temperatures look set to plummet once more during this time frame, with lows near or below zero possible for some locations.

AVIATION

Flying conditions this afternoon continue to prove to be a day of less than desirable flying weather. Conditions vary from VFR all the way down to LIFR as rain and snow continue to move across thanks to a low over the southern Gulf. With the snow moving across the central and northern panhandle, snow continues to be the main factor for impacting VIS with the heavier bands of snow bringing conditions down to half or quarter mile at times. CIGs have been generally been ranging from VFR down to IFR. From Wrangell southward, conditions have improved to VFR down to MVFR with the rain that continues. Similar to the snow in the northern panhandle, the heavier bands of moisture continue to bring down VIS as well as CIGs before bouncing back up. LLWS and turbulence have continue to be an issue throughout the day are and expected to continue this evening. LLWS should diminish across the southern panhandle this evening while continuing to persist for the northern half. While LLWS is expected to diminish, AAWU graphics continue to highlight the potential for turbulence and icing remaining as we head into the evening for most of the panhandle.

MARINE

Outside Waters: Northeasterly outflow gap wind speeds remain very elevated tonight. Elevated winds out of interior passes up to storm force as these strong low pressures move closer to the coastline. Areas near the upper arms of Yakutat Bay and near Dangerous River look to be the highlights, with violent storm force winds and gusts up to hurricane force. Wave heights in the outer waters as a result of these winds look to exceed 20 ft from Yakutat Bay down to Cape Edgecombe.

Pattern more-or-less remains unchanged through the week. The winds look to pull back to gale force and storm force winds, but these will be monitored closely to see if they need to be adjusted.

Inside Waters: The very high wind speeds will remain in the inner channels. Lynn Canal is holding a north wind steady at around 40 to 45 kts with gusts nearing 60 kts and Point Couverden has been reporting 50 to 55 knots with gusts nearing 70 kts. Elsewhere is seeing 25 to 35 kts out of the north to east. Clarence Strait is the outlier with a south wind but it's still strong at 25 to 40 kts.

Fully developed seas exceeding 12 ft in both Lynn Canal and Stephens Passage are expected to continue well through the week, with nothing slowing down the strong winds. Freezing spray possibilities remain for Stephens Passage, Northern Chatham, Icy Strait Corridor, and Lynn Canal through, progressively getting heavier as we go into next week.

AJK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

PUBLIC...Cold Weather Advisory until 9 AM AKST Monday for AKZ318. Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM AKST Monday for AKZ320-323. Winter Storm Warning until 6 PM AKST Monday for AKZ321-322-325. Winter Storm Warning until 6 AM AKST Monday for AKZ324-326-327. Winter Weather Advisory until 3 AM AKST Monday for AKZ329. Winter Storm Warning until 6 AM AKST Tuesday for AKZ331. MARINE...Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ011-012. Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ013-053. Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ031. Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ053. Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for PKZ053. Storm Warning for PKZ053-643-644-651-663-664-671. Gale Warning for PKZ011>013-021-022-031-036-641-642-661-662-672. Small Craft Advisory for PKZ032>035-652.