Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Juneau, AK
Issued by NWS Juneau, AK
890 FXAK67 PAJK 301219 AFDAJK Southeast Alaska Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Juneau AK 419 AM AKDT Tue Apr 30 2024 .SHORT TERM...Most places are starting off this morning overcast as a marine layer has managed to work into most parts of the panhandle. With this cloud cover over most of the area, temperatures during the overnight hours have stayed warm due to the lack of radiational cooling. These clouds will also help to moderate us during the daytime hours today as most places will take longer to warm up. The areas that may be an exception to this is the northern portion of Clarence Strait up through western Sumner Strait, Frederick Sound as well as Southern Chatham. These areas do not have a developed marine layer over them when looking at GOES-17 and VIIRS Nighttime Microphysics products at the time of writing. Biggest change to the forecast was to increase cloud cover and lower high temperatures for the day today with the clouds. Otherwise, very little changes were made to the overall forecast. .LONG TERM.../ Wednesday to Saturday night / A short wave will move from the southern gulf southeast towards the Pacific Northwest by Wednesday night and as another closed low moves out of the Bering Sea across the eastern Aleutians by early Thursday. This upper level feature also looks to be tracking in a similar path to the southeast Friday. A larger low moves into the Bering Sea Friday and Saturday while drifting east. Weak high pressure over the eastern gulf and panhandle are holding in place through Thursday. A weakening occluded front is strung out over gulf Friday maybe approaching the panhandle Friday, although beginning to think that will be held back and it wont be until late Friday and Saturday the front the stronger low over Bering Sea Friday and Saturday will push into SE AK Saturday. So dry weather into Friday and rains returning for the weekend. Am not expecting any winds over 20 kt until the weekend time frame and those will be starting over the outer gulf waters. && .AVIATION...Another quiet day aviation wise over the panhandle. The only concern is with mid level clouds covering most of the gulf, outer coast, and northern inner channels this morning. Occasional MVFR ceilings (down to 1300 feet) are being observed here and there, but should lift to VFR by late morning. Some ground fog may show up this morning in areas like Klawock and Yakutat as well. Clouds expected to linger into this evening before starting to clear out late tonight into Wed, though outer coastal areas may have clouds linger longer and some MVFR ceilings develop late. && .MARINE...A developed marine layer across the area will bring lower visibilities and some possible drizzle. During the day, some retreat of the marine layer will be possible with continued high pressure over the panhandle and daytime warming. Mostly light to 10 knot winds for the inner channels with a northerly component. Lynn Canal is the exception, with southerly winds, possibly increasing to 15-20 knots depending on daytime heating in the north. && .AJK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PUBLIC...None. MARINE...None. && $$ SHORT TERM...SF LONG TERM....Bezenek AVIATION...EAL MARINE...SF Visit us at http://www.weather.gov/Juneau