Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Juneau, AK

Current Version |  Previous Version |  Text Only |  Print | Product List |  Glossary On
Versions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
-- Highlight Changed Discussion --
-- Discussion containing changed information from previous version are highlighted. --
474 FXAK67 PAJK 071257 AFDAJK Southeast Alaska Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Juneau AK 457 AM AKDT Tue May 7 2024 .SHORT TERM...
-- Changed Discussion --
Showers set to continue through most of Tuesday before a gale force front brings widespread stratiform precipitation with more moderate rainfall rates at times. Rainfall totals remain modest with some light responses expected from smaller waterways and the more `flashy` streams of the panhandle. The front approaching tonight will feature 12 hour totals ranging from 0.2 inches over the far northern inner channels to 0.8 inches over the central southern inner channels. With mild to cool temperatures continuing, precipitation is expected to be rain with the lone exception being the Klondike Highway near White Pass which could see some wet snow of around 1.5 inches Tuesday night. Winds over land and the inner channels will begin light but continue to pick up through the day as the front approaches. Breezy conditions over land will develop by Tuesday night with gusts of 30 to 35 mph. Areas more likely to see higher gusts include the southern and central outer coast, south of Frederick Sound, and downtown Juneau and Douglas. .LONG TERM... The gale force system that entered the panhandle on Tuesday will continue to sweep N through the day Wednesday, bringing with it rain and blustery conditions across the panhandle. In its wake on Wednesday, onshore flow will prevail, maintaining continued chances of precipitation. Another gale force system - this one more of a rain-producer than a wind-maker, will move into the panhandle late on Wednesday. The primary center of circulation for this low is further W in the Gulf, and so anticipate that the strongest winds will largely stay onshore. The associated plume of moisture will move in force through the N panhandle, centered along the NE Gulf Coast and the Yakutat area, though anticipate that the Icy Strait Corridor will see respectable precipitation totals. Up to 2-3" of rain are anticipated along the NE Gulf Coast, with lower totals elsewhere in conjunction with this system. The plume of moisture moves W through Thursday, weakening substantially in the process, before largely falling apart as it approaches the southern panhandle. Lingering chances of precipitation will last after the system departs, before a potential break in the rain during the latter half of Friday and through much of Saturday across a large part of the area. This is not yet set in stone - there remains some disagreement in ensembles. Another system is likely to arrive for the latter half of the week.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .AVIATION...
-- Changed Discussion --
Variable flight conditions bouncing between VFR and MVFR across the panhandle this morning as widespread rain showers move through the area, with isolated gusts up to 20kts for PAGY and PAHN. Rain showers will continue through the TAF period with slow deteriorate down to consistent MVFR conditions as a system approaches the area. As the front pushes inland, anticipate sustained winds 15-25kts with gusts up to 35kts. In addition, southeasterly wind shear will be possible around 2000ft for majority of southeast TAF sites after 00z this afternoon through tonight.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .MARINE...
-- Changed Discussion --
Marine winds increasing to 25 kts Tuesday morning, further increasing to 35-40 kt gales late in the day Tuesday. Strongest winds will be over the eastern Gulf, but areas of gale force winds will also develop over some of the inner channels with the most extensive being over Clarence Strait. Seas building to 4-7 ft on the inside and as much as 16 ft on the outside in advance of frontal passage. Seas on the outside dominated by wind wave with long period swell making up slightly more than half of the combined seas.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .AJK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
-- Changed Discussion --
PUBLIC...Strong Wind from this evening through late tonight for AKZ323. Strong Wind from this evening through late tonight for AKZ327. Strong Wind late tonight for AKZ329. MARINE...Gale Warning for PKZ031-035-036-641>644-661>664-671-672. Small Craft Advisory for PKZ011>013-021-022-032>034-053-651-652.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& $$ SHORT TERM...STJ LONG TERM....GFS AVIATION...NM Visit us at http://www.weather.gov/Juneau