Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Juneau, AK

Current Version |  Previous Version |  Text Only |  Print | Product List |  Glossary Off
Versions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
-- Highlight Changed Discussion --
-- Discussion containing changed information from previous version are highlighted. --
616 FXAK67 PAJK 261258 AFDAJK Southeast Alaska Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Juneau AK 458 AM AKDT Sun May 26 2024 .SHORT TERM...
-- Changed Discussion --
/Through Sunday night/Active forecast for the short range continues with the broad low in the central gulf mostly staying put. The main change in the forecast this morning is that a separate small compact low developed just west of Dixon Entrance overnight and is moving NW just off the outer coast this morning. There is an area of small craft winds to 30 kt with seas to 8 ft on the N and E side of it. The low is expected to continue to track NW then W through the eastern gulf through the day eventually tracking south of Cape Suckling this evening taking the area of higher winds with it. The central and southern inner channel winds will also see a slight increase to 15 or even 20 kt as this feature moves by today before diminishing overnight. Speaking of the inner channels the northern half is currently seeing northerly winds as troughing to the south and the previously discussed low have flipped pressure gradients to a northerly this morning. Those winds are expected to flip south again by midday as the trough moves NW and ridging builds over the panhandle from the S. Otherwise, the rest of the forecast remains on track and rather damp with some weaker frontal bands continuing to track through the area from the S due to the broad low in the central gulf. Highest rainfall amounts continue to be expected over the southern half of the panhandle as areas farther north have more easterly downsloping flow contributing to lower rainfall totals overall. .LONG TERM...The active weather pattern continues through the first half of the week, though a break may be possible Wednesday and Thursday. Aloft, an area low pressure over the Gulf will occlude and weaken as it meanders slowly to the SE. Waves of precipitation rotating around the decaying low will continue to move through the area until a more offshore synoptic pattern is established as the low moves S of the panhandle. A period of drier weather will subsequently be possible Tuesday night through much of Thursday though the cloud deck and a few showers will likely linger in some locations. Beyond Thursday, operational guidance is increasingly favoring the idea of a strong frontal band moving into the panhandle on Friday, but confidence remains low on timing and the location of the system`s parent low. Main forecast changes were to refine the anticipated timing of the potential drier weather for the middle of the week and add some additional detail in the wind forecast prior to this point.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .AVIATION...
-- Changed Discussion --
A low in the Gulf of Alaska will keep persistent rain and overcast skies across SE AK through the TAF period. Anticipate marginal visual conditions with CIGs between 2000 and 5000 ft. Winds increase through mid morning with sustained winds up to 15kts and isolated gusts up to 25kts possible between 18z-00z this afternoon. Highest precipitation chances along the coast with reductions in VSBY as low as 4SM within heaviest showers.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .AJK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
-- Changed Discussion --
PUBLIC...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory for PKZ022-036-642>644-662>664-671-672.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& $$ SHORT TERM...EAL LONG TERM....GFS AVIATION...NM Visit us at http://www.weather.gov/Juneau