Gale Warning 254, NWS Anchorage, AK

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
SOUTHCENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST ALASKA
500 PM AST TUE MAR 7 2006

.DISCUSSION...
DEVELOPING SYSTEM IN THE GULF OF ALASKA IS THE MAIN WEATHER MAKER
TONIGHT.  GFS (MODEL OF CHOICE) INTENSIFIES THIS SYSTEM FASTER THAN
ETA...ALTHOUGH ETA CATCHES UP BY LATE WED MORNING. SNOW SHOWERS
CONTINUING TONIGHT ALONG GULF COAST MAINLY EAST OF 150W. HEAVY SNOW
EAST OF CAPE SUCKLING AND INTO THE ST. ELIAS RANGE.

STRONG NORTHERLY WINDS MAIN CONCERN WED AND THU ACROSS THE NORTH GULF
COAST.  WITH COLD AIR MOVING INTO SOUTHCENTRAL TONIGHT EXPECTING
STRONG WINDS THROUGH TERRAIN GAPS. AS LOW DEEPENS TONIGHT PRESSURE
GRADIENT OVER KODIAK ISLAND INCREASES AS WELL.  PLENTY OF STORMS OVER
WESTERN GULF MARINE ZONES.

IN THE WEST...AREAS OF STRATUS AND FOG TONIGHT AND WED.  LOW OFF OF
KAMCHATKA PROGED TO REMAIN IN SITU AND WEAKEN. NEXT DEVELOPING SYSTEM
ON EAST SIDE OF TROUGH AXIS TO DEVELOP LATE WED NIGHT AS IT MOVES
INTO THE BERING SEA.

.AER/ALU...WATCH/WARNING SUMMARY
PUBLIC...SEE AFTERNOON PACKAGE
MARINE...SEE AFTERNOON PACKAGE
FIRE WEATHER...

*** MAR 06