Alert archive / Alaska / Storm Warnings in 2020

Storm Warning 11, NWS Juneau, AK

January 30, 2020

NWS Juneau, AK issued this storm warning at Jan 30, 2020, 3:56 AM AKST. It was in force for 12 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jan 30, 2020, 3:56 AM AKST (12:56 UTC)
Expired
Jan 30, 2020, 3:58 PM AKST
In force
12 hr
Issued by
NWS Juneau, AK

The text

As transmitted.

449 
FZAK52 PAJK 301256
CWFAEG

Coastal Waters Forecast for Southeast Alaska
National Weather Service Juneau AK
356 AM AKST Thu Jan 30 2020

Southeast Alaska Coastal Waters from Dixon Entrance to
Cape Suckling out 100 NM

Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction
expected. Seas forecasts represent the average of the highest
one-third of the combined windwave and swell height.

PKZ099-310700-
356 AM AKST Thu Jan 30 2020
.SYNOPSIS FOR OUTSIDE WATERS...
A storm-force low will move ashore around Sitka late this
morning. A ridge of high pressure then builds over BC this
afternoon and persists through Friday. Low pressure remains over
the western Gulf of Alaska.  

$$

PKZ041-310700-
Dixon Entrance to Cape Decision-
356 AM AKST Thu Jan 30 2020

...STORM WARNING THROUGH THIS MORNING...

.TODAY...S wind 50 kt becoming W in the morning, then becoming S
25 kt in the afternoon. Seas 25 ft. Rain early in the morning. 
.TONIGHT...SW wind 25 kt. Seas 17 ft. SW swell. Rain showers in
the evening. 
.FRI...SW wind 20 kt. Seas 15 ft. 
.FRI NIGHT...W wind 30 kt. Seas 14 ft. Rain showers. 
.SAT...W wind 25 kt. Seas 17 ft. 
.SUN...NW wind 25 kt becoming SW. Seas 17 ft. 
.MON...S wind 30 kt. Seas 20 ft. 

$$

PKZ042-310700-
Cape Decision to Cape Edgecumbe-
356 AM AKST Thu Jan 30 2020

...STORM WARNING THIS MORNING...

.TODAY...SE wind increasing to 50 kt becoming W 40 kt in the 
morning, then becoming S 30 kt in the afternoon. Seas 24 ft. Rain 
in the morning. 
.TONIGHT...S wind 25 kt. Seas 17 ft. Rain showers. Snow showers
late. 
.FRI...SW wind 20 kt. Seas 15 ft. SW swell. Snow showers in
the morning. Rain showers. 
.FRI NIGHT...W wind 25 kt. Seas 13 ft. SW swell. Rain and snow
showers. 
.SAT...W wind 25 kt. Seas 15 ft. 
.SUN...NW wind 25 kt becoming S. Seas 15 ft. 
.MON...S wind 30 kt. Seas 19 ft. 

$$

PKZ043-310700-
Cape Edgecumbe to Cape Fairweather-
356 AM AKST Thu Jan 30 2020

...GALE WARNING TODAY...

.TODAY...SE wind 20 kt becoming N 35 kt in the morning, then
becoming SW in the afternoon. Seas 22 ft. Rain. 
.TONIGHT...SW wind 25 kt. Seas 16 ft. Rain showers in the
evening, then rain and snow showers late. 
.FRI...SW wind 25 kt. Seas 16 ft. SW swell. Rain and snow
showers. 
.FRI NIGHT...SW wind 20 kt. Seas 14 ft. SW swell. Snow showers
and rain showers. 
.SAT...NW wind 15 kt. Seas 13 ft. 
.SUN...NW wind 20 kt becoming S 30 kt. Seas 13 ft. 
.MON...S wind 30 kt. Seas 19 ft. 

$$

PKZ051-310700-
Cape Fairweather to Icy Cape-
356 AM AKST Thu Jan 30 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...

.TODAY...S wind 20 kt becoming W in the morning, then becoming SW
30 kt in the afternoon. Seas 19 ft. SW swell in the morning.
Rain and snow showers.
.TONIGHT...S wind 25 kt. Seas 15 ft. Snow showers and rain
showers. 
.FRI...S wind 20 kt. Seas 15 ft. Snow showers. Rain showers in
the afternoon. 
.FRI NIGHT...SW wind 15 kt. Seas 13 ft. SW swell. 
.SAT...NE wind 15 kt. Seas 10 ft. 
.SUN...NE wind 20 kt becoming SE gale to 35 kt. Seas 11 ft. 
.MON...SE gale to 35 kt. Seas 19 ft. 

$$

PKZ052-310700-
Icy Cape to Cape Suckling-
356 AM AKST Thu Jan 30 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...

.TODAY...S wind 20 kt. Seas 17 ft. Snow showers. 
.TONIGHT...S wind 30 kt. Seas 15 ft. Snow showers. 
.FRI...S wind 25 kt. Seas 14 ft. SW swell. Snow showers. 
.FRI NIGHT...E wind 15 kt. Seas 12 ft. SW swell. 
.SAT...NW wind 15 kt. Seas 10 ft. 
.SUN...NW wind 20 kt becoming SE gale to 35 kt. Seas 9 ft
building to 13 ft. 
.MON...E gale to 35 kt diminishing to 25 kt. Seas 18 ft. 

$$
1 follow-up statement
695 
FZAK52 PAJK 310058
CWFAEG

Coastal Waters Forecast for Southeast Alaska
National Weather Service Juneau AK
358 PM AKST Thu Jan 30 2020

Southeast Alaska Coastal Waters from Dixon Entrance to
Cape Suckling out 100 NM

Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction
expected. Seas forecasts represent the average of the highest
one-third of the combined windwave and swell height.

PKZ099-311900-
358 PM AKST Thu Jan 30 2020
.SYNOPSIS FOR OUTSIDE WATERS...
A strong low will continue to exit the region through the evening
hours. A seperate low is locate in the northern Gulf allowing for
onshore flow through Friday. 

$$

PKZ041-311900-
Dixon Entrance to Cape Decision-
358 PM AKST Thu Jan 30 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH FRIDAY...

.TONIGHT...SW wind 25 kt diminishing to 15 kt. Seas 18 ft. Rain 
showers early in the evening. 
.FRI...SW wind 20 kt. Seas 15 ft. 
.FRI NIGHT...W wind 30 kt. Seas 14 ft. 
.SAT...W wind 25 kt. Seas 17 ft. 
.SAT NIGHT...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 17 ft. W swell. 
.SUN...NW wind 25 kt becoming SW. Seas 17 ft. 
.MON...S wind 30 kt. Seas 20 ft. 
.TUE...SW wind 20 kt. Seas 19 ft. 

$$

PKZ042-311900-
Cape Decision to Cape Edgecumbe-
358 PM AKST Thu Jan 30 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH FRIDAY...

.TONIGHT...SW wind 25 kt diminishing to 15 kt. Seas 17 ft. 
.FRI...SW wind 20 kt. Seas 15 ft. SW swell. 
.FRI NIGHT...W wind 25 kt. Seas 13 ft. SW swell in the
evening. 
.SAT...W wind 25 kt. Seas 15 ft. 
.SAT NIGHT...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 16 ft. W swell. 
.SUN...NW wind 25 kt becoming S. Seas 15 ft. 
.MON...S wind 30 kt. Seas 19 ft. 
.TUE...SW wind 20 kt. Seas 18 ft. 

$$

PKZ043-311900-
Cape Edgecumbe to Cape Fairweather-
358 PM AKST Thu Jan 30 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH FRIDAY...

.TONIGHT...SW wind 25 kt diminishing to 15 kt. Seas 17 ft. 
.FRI...SW wind 25 kt. Seas 15 ft. SW swell. 
.FRI NIGHT...SW wind 20 kt. Seas 13 ft. SW swell. 
.SAT...W wind 15 kt. Seas 13 ft. SW swell. 
.SAT NIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 13 ft. SW swell. 
.SUN...NW wind 20 kt becoming S 30 kt. Seas 13 ft. 
.MON...S wind 30 kt. Seas 19 ft. 
.TUE...SW wind 20 kt. Seas 19 ft subsiding to 15 ft. 

$$

PKZ051-311900-
Cape Fairweather to Icy Cape-
358 PM AKST Thu Jan 30 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH FRIDAY...

.TONIGHT...S wind 15 kt increasing to 25 kt. Seas 15 ft. 
.FRI...S wind 20 kt. Seas 15 ft. 
.FRI NIGHT...SW wind 15 kt becoming E late. Seas 13 ft. SW
swell. 
.SAT...NE wind 10 kt. Seas 11 ft. SW swell. 
.SAT NIGHT...NE wind 20 kt. Seas 10 ft. SW swell. 
.SUN...NE wind 20 kt becoming SE gale to 35 kt. Seas 11 ft. 
.MON...SE gale to 35 kt. Seas 19 ft. 
.TUE...SW wind 15 kt. Seas 17 ft. 

$$

PKZ052-311900-
Icy Cape to Cape Suckling-
358 PM AKST Thu Jan 30 2020

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH FRIDAY...

.TONIGHT...S wind 15 kt increasing to 30 kt. Seas 15 ft. 
.FRI...S wind 25 kt. Seas 14 ft. S swell. 
.FRI NIGHT...SE wind 15 kt. Seas 12 ft. SW swell. 
.SAT...N wind 10 kt. Seas 10 ft. SW swell. 
.SAT NIGHT...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 9 ft. SW swell. 
.SUN...NW wind 20 kt becoming SE gale to 35 kt. Seas 9 ft
building to 13 ft. 
.MON...E gale to 35 kt diminishing to 25 kt. Seas 18 ft. 
.TUE...SW wind 15 kt. Seas 17 ft. 

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this storm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Juneau, AK wrote its last area forecast discussion before this storm warning went out at Jan 29, 2:34 PM AKST, 13 hours 22 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 29, 2:34 PM AKST, 13 hours 22 minutes before
Southeast Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Juneau AK
234 PM AKST Wed Jan 29 2020

.SHORT TERM...Potentially damaging winds and heavy snowfall likely
over parts of SE AK tonight into Thursday.

Strong front that brought high winds and heavy precipitation to SE
AK last night and this morning now passing northward into BC and
the Yukon as of early this afternoon. Winds have gusted as high as
60 to 70 mph in Haines/Skagway late this morning and as high as 55
mph in Juneau where some minor tree damage has been reported. Rain
has been the predominate ptype for sea level Haines but as much
as 22 inches has been reported near Haines Customs and based on
cameras, near blizzard conditions are being experienced along the
Klondike Highway.

Attention now turns to the next developing storm system to the
SW. GOES 17 imagery this afternoon shows a deep upper trough
digging into the western Gulf behind the current system. Cold air
is pouring southward into the Gulf underneath this trough and
this air will be advected eastward and across the northern part of
the Panhandle tonight. To the south, a vigorous PV max embedded
within a 180kt jet streak will interact with the deep upper trough
over the Gulf late tonight. This disturbance will amplify as it
becomes favorably superimposed on the east side of the deep PV
anomaly associated with the upper trough to the west. The result
will be a rapidly intensifying surface cyclone which will be
tracking from the SE Gulf into and across the central Panhandle
Thursday morning. Most guidance deepens the low to sub-970mb as it
makes landfall somewhere along the eastern Gulf coast Thursday
morning. Low level wind fields will be nothing less than
impressive, with a 70-80kt low level jet preceding the front. Even
more impactful will be the developing bent-back warm front which
will affect areas from Sitka to Angoon and potentially Juneau
Thursday morning. Low level wind fields within the bent-back front
look to be 60 to 70kts. This will likely lead to a swath of
W'ly to SW'ly winds of 40 to 50kt with higher gusts approaching
60kt over the inside waters from Chatham Strait northward. Gusts
over land areas will approach 70 mph for a short time on Thursday
morning just south of the track of the low. Pressure rises
approaching 4mb/hr behind the system will lead to an isallobaric
wind up Lynn Canal Thursday afternoon will lead to max gale
conditions all along the Canal and into Haines and Skagway by late
Thursday afternoon.

Prior to the rapid wind shift, strong low to mid level
frontogenesis and moisture transport will lead to tremendous
precipitation rates. With snow levels hovering around 1000 ft late
tonight and gradients initially becoming light and northerly,
think precipitation will change to heavy snow from Juneau, Hoonah,
and Gustavus northward. Given the shear amount of dynamic forcing
for ascent, snowfall rates of 2 inches per hour are likely within
the trowel region of the low through the morning hours Thursday.
Will be issuing a Winter Storm Warning to cover the impacts from
both heavy snow and high winds from Juneau northward.

Still some track and timing differences in the models on the track
of the surface low. The GFS and EC have been the most consistent
in the track currently depicted in our forecast so decided to hold
steady with a track from just north of Sitka into the Juneau area.

Residents of SE AK should be prepared for rapidly changing weather
conditions and take precautions to protect property against damage
from the winds.

.LONG TERM.../Friday through Tuesday/ As of 10pm Tuesday. Cooling
trend expected for the beginning of the extended forecast with
predominately snow showers for the p-type. Low pressure over the
NW gulf will keep the region under SW onshore flow and cold air
advection (CAA) will enhance ocean effect showers Friday into
Saturday. There is potential for a couple inches of snow out of
these showers for most of the panhandle.

The low center will gradually track SE along the outer coast
through Saturday night. This will cause the main precip potential
to shift southward while increasing offshore flow over the
northern inner channels decreases pop there. By Sunday morning the
northerly winds through the inner channels will have set in along
with skies becoming partly cloudy or better. Sunday daytime is our
best chance for a dry, fair weather day in the extended, but also
likely the coldest day of the week.

Sunday night into Monday a new weather system looks to track
across the gulf from the west. This brings with it a warmer
airmass, so expect snow initially, changing to rain Monday night
into Tuesday.

Models are in good agreement through the long term period,
allowing for above average confidence in wet/dry periods and a
cooling trend through the weekend followed by a warming trend for
the start of next week.

&&

.AVIATION...Widespread IFR to LIFR conditions will occur Thursday
morning as heavy snow breaks out for PAGS, PAJN, and points north.
Additionally, dangerous low level wind shear conditions will be
present with SW winds aloft behind the low as high as 60 to 70kt
affecting central and northern terminals between 18Z Thursday and
00Z Friday.

&&

.AJK Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
PUBLIC...High Wind Watch from Thursday morning through Thursday afternoon
     for AKZ021-022-024>026.
     High Wind Watch from late tonight through Thursday morning for
     AKZ027-028.
     Winter Weather Advisory from midnight tonight to noon AKST
     Thursday for AKZ025.
     Strong Wind until 6 PM AKST this evening for AKZ025.
     Strong Wind until 3 PM AKST this afternoon for AKZ022-023.
     High Wind Warning from 3 AM to 6 PM AKST Thursday for AKZ023.
     Winter Storm Watch from midnight AKST tonight through Thursday
     morning for AKZ020-021.
     Strong Wind until midnight AKST tonight for AKZ019.
     Winter Storm Warning until 6 PM AKST this evening for AKZ018.
MARINE...Storm Warning for PKZ041.
     Gale Warning for PKZ012-013-022-031-032-034>036-042-043-051-052.
     Small Craft Advisory for PKZ011-021-033-053.

&&

DEL/Ferrin

Visit us at http://www.weather.gov/Juneau

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jan 29, 10:39 PM AKST, 5 hours 17 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JUNEAU AK
1039 PM AKST WED JAN 29 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0845 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG HYDABURG                55.21N 132.83W
01/29/2020                                      AK   PUBLIC

            REPORTS OF TWO ROOFS BEING BLOWN OFF IN HYDABURG.

&&

NAF
Local storm report, Jan 29, 10:41 PM AKST, 5 hours 15 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JUNEAU AK
1041 PM AKST WED JAN 29 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0900 AM     HEAVY SNOW       YAKUTAT                 59.55N 139.73W
01/29/2020  M5.7 INCH                           AK   CO-OP OBSERVER

            YAKUTAT COOP MEASURED 5.7 INCHES OF SNOW AT 9 AM
            WEDNESDAY. SNOW HAD MIXED WITH RAIN ALREADY. AT 6 PM ON
            TUESDAY AN ESTIMATED 3 INCHES WAS REPORTED BY THE GENERAL
            PUBLIC.

&&

NAF

The office that day

Everything else NWS Juneau, AK issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 29, 3:18 PM AKSTWinter Storm WarningAJK25 hr
Jan 30, 3:56 AM AKSTGale WarningAJK12 hr
Jan 30, 3:56 AM AKSTSmall Craft AdvisoryAJK72 hr
Jan 30, 4:05 AM AKSTGale WarningAJK12 hr
Jan 30, 9:09 AM AKSTAreal Flood AdvisoryAJK24 hr
Jan 30, 9:17 AM AKSTWinter Weather AdvisoryAJK7 hr

Nearby

Storm Warnings in Alaska, 2020Every storm warning in 2020

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text.