Storm Warning 43, NWS Juneau, AK

Southeast Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Juneau AK
304 PM AKST Sun Dec 24 2023

.SHORT TERM...Showers moves through the inner channels this
evening and through tonight as a surface low weakens over the NW
Gulf. Winds remain breezy out there with onshore flow ranging
between 15 to 20 mph. Late tonight the next low moves into the S
Gulf bringing a storm force front to the S inner channels. As the
front moves towards the Panhandle, it will weaken causing 30 to
40 kt winds. Widespread strong winds gusting to 40 mph are also
expected for S coastal communities. As the front lifts N through
Monday, moderate to heavy rain will spread N through the day. A
warm air mass will be associated with this system so surface temps
remain well above freezing. Snow levels rise to around 4,000 ft
across the south and around 2,000 ft across the central Panhandle.
Across the far north, including the Haines and Klondike Highways,
precipitation will fall as heavy snow. This has prompted a Winter
Storm Warning to be issued for late Monday morning through late
Tuesday morning.

.LONG TERM...Tuesday morning a system will be departing the
region, with a short break from more active weather until early
Wednesday morning as northerly winds settle in across the
northern and central inner channels. Current forecast reflects
small craft conditions for these waters, with gusts reaching gale
force in Lynn Canal Wednesday into Thursday and the strongest
winds expected late Wednesday into the night. Some guidance is
suggesting gale force for Lynn Canal, additional updates will be
needed.

As winds increase the system will steer moisture into the region,
bringing moderate rain, with snow in the far northern highways
through the end of the week.

&&

.AVIATION...Widespread showers will continue to diminish through
the afternoon and evening with temporary drops in VIS and CIG
possible among heavier showers to MVFR or even IFR. While heavier
showers should diminish by tonight, rain will pick up once more
late tonight into Monday with the next approaching storm. Winds
will remain elevated for most of the panhandle before the next
storm force front approaches from the south to ramp them up
further with LLWS increasing from south to north. Winds will
remain elevated with LLWS expected through the day Monday into
Monday night. Overall expect MVFR and possibly IFR conditions
with widespread lowering CIG and VIS with precipitation as the
system pushes inland overnight into Monday.

&&

.MARINE...Winds increase overnight in the south, with widespread
gale force expected across Dixon into the western coastal water.
While gale force will be the dominant category, there will be
times of storm force in these waters. At the same time, a 30-35
foot southerly swell group will cross Dixon from the coast of
Haida Gwaii, moving north along our coast through the day Monday
diminishing overnight Tuesday.

Wednesday morning winds and swell diminish, with a southwest
swell 9-12ft across the gulf, turning south and increasing 18-22
ft by Friday night.

&&

.AJK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PUBLIC...Winter Storm Warning from 9 AM Monday to 9 AM AKST Tuesday for
     AKZ318-319.
     Strong Wind from Monday morning through Monday afternoon for
     AKZ323-326.
     Strong Wind from late tonight through Monday afternoon for
     AKZ327>330-332.
MARINE...Gale Warning for PKZ033>036-641>644-661>664-671.
     Small Craft Advisory for PKZ011>013-021-022-031-032-053-651-652-
     672.

&&

SHORT TERM...CC
AVIATION...SJ
MARINE...AP
LONG TERM...AP

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