Alert archive / Alaska / High Wind Warnings in 2026
High Wind Warning 1, NWS Juneau, AK
NWS Juneau, AK issued this high wind warning at Jan 8, 2026, 11:40 AM AKST for Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Sitka City and Borough, Alaska. It took effect at Jan 9, 2026, 3:00 PM AKST. It was in force for 11 hr. 4 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- Jan 8, 2026, 11:40 AM AKST (20:40 UTC)
- In effect from
- Jan 9, 2026, 3:00 PM AKST
- Expired
- Jan 10, 2026, 2:03 AM AKST
- In force
- 11 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Juneau, AK
Counties Ketchikan Gateway Borough, AK, Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, AK, Sitka City and Borough, AK
The radar
The Sitka radar (PACG), 170 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:40 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 9, 3:51 PM AKST | NON-TSTM WND GST 76 | 1 Nnw Sitka, AK | ASOS station PASI Sitka Airport. |
| Jan 9, 4:00 PM AKST | FLOOD | 5 N Ketchikan, AK | Lake Connell/Ward lake reached flood stage of 252.25 feet. |
| Jan 9, 5:04 PM AKST | NON-TSTM WND GST 62 | 1 Nnw Sitka, AK | The Sitka Airport ASOS site PASI reports a wind gust to 62 mph. |
| Jan 9, 8:05 PM AKST | NON-TSTM WND DMG | 5 Se Ketchikan, AK | A public report was received of high winds and a power outage in Saxman. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
The text
As transmitted.
022 WWAK77 PAJK 082040 NPWAJK URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Juneau AK 1140 AM AKST Thu Jan 8 2026 AKZ328-090445- /O.UPG.PAJK.HW.A.0001.260110T0000Z-260110T1200Z/ /O.NEW.PAJK.HW.W.0001.260110T0000Z-260110T0600Z/ Prince of Wales Island- Including the cities of Craig, Klawock, Hydaburg, Coffman Cove, and Thorne Bay 1140 AM AKST Thu Jan 8 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM TO 9 PM AKST FRIDAY... * WHAT...Southeast winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Southern Prince of Wales Island. * WHEN...From 3 PM to 9 PM AKST Friday. * IMPACTS...High winds will blow around unsecured objects and may damage property and cause power outages. Travel will be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds will quickly increase Friday afternoon with the strongest winds Friday evening. The strongest winds on Prince of Wales Island will be around Hydaburg and southern areas. Wind gusts before and after the warning times will also be strong, with gusts increasing late Friday morning to around 40 mph remaining strong into late Friday. Stronger winds will also be observed at higher elevations. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure vessels and loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Report any damage to the National Weather Service by visiting weather.gov/Juneau/StormReports && $$ AKZ330-332-090445- /O.UPG.PAJK.HW.A.0001.260110T0000Z-260110T1200Z/ /O.NEW.PAJK.HW.W.0001.260110T0000Z-260110T1200Z/ Ketchikan Gateway Borough-Annette Island- Including the cities of Ketchikan and Metlakatla 1140 AM AKST Thu Jan 8 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM FRIDAY TO 3 AM AKST SATURDAY... * WHAT...Southeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Ketchikan Gateway Borough and Annette Island. * WHEN...From 3 PM Friday to 3 AM AKST Saturday. * IMPACTS...High winds will blow around unsecured objects and may damage property and cause power outages. Travel will be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds will quickly increase Friday afternoon with the strongest winds Friday evening. Wind gusts before and after the warning times will also be strong, with gusts increasing late Friday morning to around 40 mph remaining strong into late Friday. Stronger winds will also be observed at higher elevations. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure vessels and loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Report any damage to the National Weather Service by visiting weather.gov/Juneau/StormReports && $$
7 follow-up statements
726 WWAK77 PAJK 090420 NPWAJK URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Juneau AK 720 PM AKST Thu Jan 8 2026 AKZ328-091300- /O.CON.PAJK.HW.W.0001.260110T0000Z-260110T0600Z/ Prince of Wales Island- Including the cities of Craig, Klawock, Hydaburg, Coffman Cove, and Thorne Bay 720 PM AKST Thu Jan 8 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM TO 9 PM AKST FRIDAY... * WHAT...Southeast winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Southern Prince of Wales Island. * WHEN...From 3 PM to 9 PM AKST Friday. * IMPACTS...High winds will blow around unsecured objects and may damage property and cause power outages. Travel will be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds will quickly increase Friday afternoon with the strongest winds Friday evening. The strongest winds on Prince of Wales Island will be around Hydaburg and southern areas. Wind gusts before and after the warning times will also be strong, with gusts increasing late Friday morning to around 40 mph remaining strong into late Friday. Stronger winds will also be observed at higher elevations. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure vessels and loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Report any damage to the National Weather Service by visiting weather.gov/Juneau/StormReports && $$ AKZ330-332-091300- /O.CON.PAJK.HW.W.0001.260110T0000Z-260110T1200Z/ Ketchikan Gateway Borough-Annette Island- Including the cities of Ketchikan and Metlakatla 720 PM AKST Thu Jan 8 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM FRIDAY TO 3 AM AKST SATURDAY... * WHAT...Southeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Ketchikan Gateway Borough and Annette Island. * WHEN...From 3 PM Friday to 3 AM AKST Saturday. * IMPACTS...High winds will blow around unsecured objects and may damage property and cause power outages. Travel will be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds will quickly increase Friday afternoon with the strongest winds Friday evening. Wind gusts before and after the warning times will also be strong, with gusts increasing late Friday morning to around 40 mph remaining strong into late Friday. Stronger winds will also be observed at higher elevations. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure vessels and loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Report any damage to the National Weather Service by visiting weather.gov/Juneau/StormReports && $$
721 WWAK77 PAJK 091226 NPWAJK URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Juneau AK 326 AM AKST Fri Jan 9 2026 AKZ328-092100- /O.CON.PAJK.HW.W.0001.260110T0000Z-260110T0600Z/ Prince of Wales Island- Including the cities of Craig, Klawock, Hydaburg, Coffman Cove, and Thorne Bay 326 AM AKST Fri Jan 9 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 9 PM AKST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Southeast winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Southern Prince of Wales Island. * WHEN...From 3 PM to 9 PM AKST Friday. * IMPACTS...High winds will blow around unsecured objects and may damage property and cause power outages. Travel will be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds will quickly increase through Friday afternoon with the strongest winds by Friday evening. The strongest winds on Prince of Wales Island will be around Hydaburg and southern areas. Wind gusts before and after the warning times will also be strong, with gusts increasing late Friday morning to around 40 mph remaining strong into late Friday. Stronger winds will also be observed at higher elevations. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure vessels and loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Report any damage to the National Weather Service by visiting weather.gov/Juneau/StormReports && $$ AKZ330-332-092100- /O.CON.PAJK.HW.W.0001.260110T0000Z-260110T1200Z/ Ketchikan Gateway Borough-Annette Island- Including the cities of Ketchikan and Metlakatla 326 AM AKST Fri Jan 9 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 3 AM AKST SATURDAY... * WHAT...Southeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Ketchikan Gateway Borough and Annette Island. * WHEN...From 3 PM Friday to 3 AM AKST Saturday. * IMPACTS...High winds will blow around unsecured objects and may damage property and cause power outages. Travel will be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds will quickly increase through Friday afternoon with the strongest winds by Friday evening. Wind gusts before and after the warning times will also be strong, with gusts increasing late Friday morning to around 40 mph and remaining strong into late Friday. Stronger winds will also be observed at higher elevations. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure vessels and loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Report any damage to the National Weather Service by visiting weather.gov/Juneau/StormReports && $$
132 WWAK77 PAJK 092046 NPWAJK URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Juneau AK 1146 AM AKST Fri Jan 9 2026 AKZ328-100600- /O.CON.PAJK.HW.W.0001.260110T0000Z-260110T0600Z/ Prince of Wales Island- Including the cities of Craig, Klawock, Hydaburg, Coffman Cove, and Thorne Bay 1146 AM AKST Fri Jan 9 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 9 PM AKST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Southeast winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Southern Prince of Wales Island. * WHEN...From 3 PM to 9 PM AKST Friday. * IMPACTS...High winds will blow around unsecured objects and may damage property and cause power outages. Travel will be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds will quickly increase through Friday afternoon with the strongest winds by Friday evening. The strongest winds on Prince of Wales Island will be around Hydaburg and southern areas. Wind gusts before and after the warning times will also be strong, with gusts increasing late Friday morning to around 40 mph remaining strong into late Friday. Stronger winds will also be observed at higher elevations. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure vessels and loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Report any damage to the National Weather Service by visiting weather.gov/Juneau/StormReports && $$ AKZ330-332-100600- /O.CON.PAJK.HW.W.0001.260110T0000Z-260110T1200Z/ Ketchikan Gateway Borough-Annette Island- Including the cities of Ketchikan and Metlakatla 1146 AM AKST Fri Jan 9 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 3 AM AKST SATURDAY... * WHAT...Southeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Ketchikan Gateway Borough and Annette Island. * WHEN...From 3 PM Friday to 3 AM AKST Saturday. * IMPACTS...High winds will blow around unsecured objects and may damage property and cause power outages. Travel will be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds will quickly increase through Friday afternoon with the strongest winds by Friday evening. Wind gusts before and after the warning times will also be strong, with gusts increasing late Friday morning to around 40 mph and remaining strong into late Friday. Stronger winds will also be observed at higher elevations. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure vessels and loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Report any damage to the National Weather Service by visiting weather.gov/Juneau/StormReports && $$
172 WWAK77 PAJK 100102 NPWAJK URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Juneau AK 402 PM AKST Fri Jan 9 2026 AKZ323-100400- /O.EXB.PAJK.HW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260110T0400Z/ City and Borough of Sitka- Including the city of Sitka 402 PM AKST Fri Jan 9 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM AKST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Southeast winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 65 mph. * WHERE...City and Borough of Sitka. * WHEN...Until 7 PM AKST this evening. * IMPACTS...High winds will blow around unsecured objects and may damage property and cause power outages. Travel will be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Expect this high wind to be short duration, associated with a frontal passage. Winds are expected to shift to the south behind the front. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure vessels and loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Report any damage to the National Weather Service by visiting weather.gov/Juneau/StormReports && $$ AKZ328-100600- /O.CON.PAJK.HW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260110T0600Z/ Prince of Wales Island- Including the cities of Craig, Klawock, Hydaburg, Coffman Cove, and Thorne Bay 402 PM AKST Fri Jan 9 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM AKST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Southeast winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Southern Prince of Wales Island. * WHEN...From 3 PM to 9 PM AKST Friday. * IMPACTS...High winds will blow around unsecured objects and may damage property and cause power outages. Travel will be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds will quickly increase through Friday afternoon with the strongest winds by Friday evening. The strongest winds on Prince of Wales Island will be around Hydaburg and southern areas. Wind gusts before and after the warning times will also be strong, with gusts increasing late Friday morning to around 40 mph remaining strong into late Friday. Stronger winds will also be observed at higher elevations. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure vessels and loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Report any damage to the National Weather Service by visiting weather.gov/Juneau/StormReports && $$ AKZ330-332-100915- /O.CON.PAJK.HW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260110T1200Z/ Ketchikan Gateway Borough-Annette Island- Including the cities of Ketchikan and Metlakatla 402 PM AKST Fri Jan 9 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM AKST SATURDAY... * WHAT...Southeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Ketchikan Gateway Borough and Annette Island. * WHEN...From 3 PM Friday to 3 AM AKST Saturday. * IMPACTS...High winds will blow around unsecured objects and may damage property and cause power outages. Travel will be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds will quickly increase through Friday afternoon with the strongest winds by Friday evening. Wind gusts before and after the warning times will also be strong, with gusts increasing late Friday morning to around 40 mph and remaining strong into late Friday. Stronger winds will also be observed at higher elevations. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure vessels and loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Report any damage to the National Weather Service by visiting weather.gov/Juneau/StormReports && $$
508 WWAK77 PAJK 100353 NPWAJK URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Juneau AK 653 PM AKST Fri Jan 9 2026 AKZ323-100500- /O.EXP.PAJK.HW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260110T0400Z/ City and Borough of Sitka- Including the city of Sitka 653 PM AKST Fri Jan 9 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 7 PM AKST THIS EVENING... Occasional strong gusts up to 50 mph still possible through the evening, but the damaging wind potential has subsided. $$ AKZ328-100600- /O.CON.PAJK.HW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260110T0600Z/ Prince of Wales Island- Including the cities of Craig, Klawock, Hydaburg, Coffman Cove, and Thorne Bay 653 PM AKST Fri Jan 9 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM AKST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Southeast winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Southern Prince of Wales Island. * WHEN...Until 9 PM AKST Friday. * IMPACTS...High winds will blow around unsecured objects and may damage property and cause power outages. Travel will be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Friday afternoon with the strongest winds by Friday evening. The strongest winds on Prince of Wales Island will be around Hydaburg and southern areas. Wind gusts before and after the warning times will also be strong, with gusts increasing late Friday morning to around 40 mph remaining strong into late Friday. Stronger winds will also be observed at higher elevations. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure vessels and loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Report any damage to the National Weather Service by visiting weather.gov/Juneau/StormReports && $$ AKZ330-332-101200- /O.CON.PAJK.HW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260110T1200Z/ Ketchikan Gateway Borough-Annette Island- Including the cities of Ketchikan and Metlakatla 653 PM AKST Fri Jan 9 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM AKST SATURDAY... * WHAT...Southeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Ketchikan Gateway Borough and Annette Island. * WHEN...Until 3 AM AKST Saturday. * IMPACTS...High winds will blow around unsecured objects and may damage property and cause power outages. Travel will be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Wind gusts before and after the warning times will also be strong, with gusts increasing late Friday morning to around 40 mph and remaining strong into late Friday. Stronger winds will also be observed at higher elevations. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure vessels and loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Report any damage to the National Weather Service by visiting weather.gov/Juneau/StormReports && $$
456 WWAK77 PAJK 100542 NPWAJK URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Juneau AK 842 PM AKST Fri Jan 9 2026 AKZ328-100645- /O.EXP.PAJK.HW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260110T0600Z/ Prince of Wales Island- Including the cities of Craig, Klawock, Hydaburg, Coffman Cove, and Thorne Bay 842 PM AKST Fri Jan 9 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 9 PM AKST THIS EVENING... Occasional strong gusts up to 50 mph still possible through the evening, but the damaging wind potential has subsided. $$ AKZ330-332-101200- /O.CON.PAJK.HW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260110T1200Z/ Ketchikan Gateway Borough-Annette Island- Including the cities of Ketchikan and Metlakatla 842 PM AKST Fri Jan 9 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM AKST SATURDAY... * WHAT...Southeast winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 69 mph. * WHERE...Ketchikan Gateway Borough and Annette Island. * WHEN...Until 3 AM AKST Saturday. * IMPACTS...High winds will blow around unsecured objects and may damage property and cause power outages. Travel will be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Wind gusts after the warning times will also be strong, with gusts to around 40 mph into early Saturday morning. Stronger winds will also be observed at higher elevations. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure vessels and loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Report any damage to the National Weather Service by visiting weather.gov/Juneau/StormReports && $$
206 WWAK77 PAJK 101103 NPWAJK URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Juneau AK 203 AM AKST Sat Jan 10 2026 AKZ330-332-101215- /O.CAN.PAJK.HW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260110T1200Z/ Ketchikan Gateway Borough-Annette Island- Including the cities of Ketchikan and Metlakatla 203 AM AKST Sat Jan 10 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IS CANCELLED... The high wind threat and strongest winds have come to an end as the bulk of the front has pushed through the area. A brief lull in winds is expected through early Saturday morning before a secondary round of strong wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible through Saturday afternoon. $$
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this high wind 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 high wind warning went out at Jan 8, 9:16 AM AKST, 2 hours 24 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Jan 8, 9:16 AM AKST, 2 hours 24 minutes before
Southeast Alaska Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Juneau AK
916 AM AKST Thu Jan 8 2026
.UPDATE...Aviation section updated for 18z taf issuance.
&&
.SYNOPSIS...
Key Messages:
- Strong weather system incoming for late Thursday night into
Friday with multiple hazards possible.
- Moderate to Heavy rainfall possible the the panhandle Friday
timeframe. Flood Watch issued for most of the panhandle.
- High wind possible for the south. High Wind Watch issued for
the south.
- More snow possible for the north. Winter Storm Watch issued
for the Haines and Skagway areas.
.SHORT TERM.../ Through Thursday night / Snow showers today
tapering off in the evening with minor accumulations. The next
system will be moving northeast into the southeast gulf and
southern panhandle overnight, and moving north through the
central panhandle. Should see precipitation start out as snow, and
transfer over to rain, then progress northward. Anticipate that
rain/snow line will be a little south of the Icy Strait corridor /
Cross Sound East towards Juneau / by Friday Morning. The snow
accumulation around the Icy Strait corridor for Thursday night
are varying amounts but up to 3 to 5 inches give or take are
possible. Northern Lynn Canal region may see more, and a Winter
Storm Watch is out for the area.
As the system continues to move towards through the panhandle, the
moisture plume increases leading to heavier rates and this leads
to the Flood Watch that is out.
.LONG TERM.../Friday through Wednesday/ Major storm incoming for
Friday into Friday night that has a minor to moderate atmospheric
river associated with it. The main forecast challenges with it
are three fold. First is how much snow various area are going to
get before the southerly flow warms places enough to change snow
to rain. Currently it is looking like the timing for change over
will be late Thursday night for the south, early Friday for the
central panhandle, and Friday morning for the Icy Strait, Juneau
area. Snowfall amounts will vary depending on when the timing of
the warm up occurs for various areas. Current thinking has a few
inches of snow for the south before change over, increasing
amounts (3 to 6 inches) into the central panhandle, Icy Strait
area, and Juneau. Haines and Skagway areas are the exception as
they could stay snow for most of the event. Current thinking has
them staying snow until Friday evening when stronger southerly
winds start to work into there, and even then the inland areas and
upper elevations along the highways could not see a change over
to rain at all. Winter storm watches have been issued for that
area as a result.
Second, once an area changes over to rain, the concern becomes
more on flooding from the 1 to 4 inches of rain that is expected
to possibly fall through Friday night. Southern panhandle does not
have as much snowpack as the north so the concern there is just
on the amount of rain and the possibly of isolated landslides due
to the rainfall and the gusty winds expected with this front.
Farther north, the concern is more on the rain on the frankly
deep snow pack around Icy Strait and Juneau and how any melt and
runoff does not really have anywhere to go. A lot of storm drains
and ditches are full of snow and ice right now so many areas may
see ponding of water in areas that normally do not see this. A
flood watch has been issued for most of the panhandle for Friday
into Saturday as a result of these expectations. Yakutat has been
left out as we are not expecting quite as much rain there, and
Haines and Skagway were also left out as they will mostly be snow
during the event (though even they could see some ponding of water
if/when the they actually warm above freezing).
Third, this is a windy front and strong southerly winds are
expected to impact the southern panhandle Friday. 850 to 950 mb
winds above the southern panhandle are pushing 70 to 80 kt Friday
mainly at southern Clarence Strait. This translates to near 60 mph
gusts at the surface so a high wind watch has also been issued
for the southern panhandle on Friday.
Farther out into the weekend and next week, SW flow and a possible
series of systems will keep the panhandle mostly warm and wet
through early to mid next week. Not a lot of confidence on exactly
when and where the individual systems will impact the area, but
the general trend is warm (temps mostly remaining above freezing
for many sea level areas and snow levels around 1500 to 3000 ft
panhandle wide), and wet (potential for upwards of a few inches of
rain late weekend into mid next week for low elevations). Highest
rainfall amounts will likely be over the south during this period.
.AVIATION...Snow showers occasionally dropping vis and ceilings
down to IFR or lower at times is the main rule for today.
Otherwise mostly VFR conditions for Thursday. This is expected to
change for the worst as a strong wet front moves in from the south
tonight bringing precipitation and wind to the area. Precip is
expected to spread from S to N tonight with most areas starting as
snow (likely MVFR or IFR conditions). That will steadily change
to rain from S to N tonight into tomorrow with visibility
slightly improving after change over, but will go back to lower
conditions as heavier rainfall moves in. Skagway and Haines will
likely stay snow with lower conditions through Friday before a
southerly wind starts up Friday evening and changes them to rain
as well with the accompanying changing vis and ceiling conditions.
In the southern panhandle winds will also become an issue with
gusty ground level winds accompanied by winds at 2000 ft
increasing to 45 to 50 kt out of the SE at times by friday
afternoon. So low level wind shear and possible turbulence will
become an issue for Friday mainly across the southern half of the
panhandle.
.MARINE...
Outer Coastal Waters: Near gale to gale force west to
southwesterlies continue to move into the area, but are expected
to diminish as the low in the NE gulf coast fills. Strong SW swell
from 18-22 ft look to diminish steadily over the next 48 hours.
Wave heights of 20-25 ft. look to following in kind, dropping down
to 8-10 ft.
Inner channels: South to southwesterly winds remain mostly
stagnant, hovering around a moderate to fresh breeze through
Thursday morning. Winds are expected to decline briefly going
into Thursday afternoon as the next system comes in from the
south. Lynn Canal is expected to switch out of the north
Wednesday night as the incoming warm front moves northward.
.HYDROLOGY...
Off and on showers will continue through mid week as a low in the
NE Gulf sends waves of precipitation across the area. Looking
towards the end of the week, the next organized system will push
an atmospheric river into the panhandle late Thursday night
through Friday. This system will bringing rounds of moderate to
heavy rainfall and rapidly rising freezing levels for communities
across the panhandle.
For the northern panhandle, current forecast rainfall amounts are
around 1 to 2 inches, with locally higher amounts approaching 3
inches at higher terrain. This rainfall in combination with rapidly
rising freezing levels around 2000 to 3000ft by Friday afternoon
into the weekend. This rainfall in combination with rapidly rising
freezing levels around 2000 to 3000ft through Friday afternoon will
lead to localized flooding concerns like ponding on road ways and
poor drainage due to snow blocking drains along and north of the Icy
Strait Corridor, including but not limited to Juneau, Gustavus,
Hoonah, Yakutat, Haines, and Skagway.
For the central and southern panhandle, current forecast rainfall
amounts are around 2 to 4 inches, with locally higher amounts
approaching 5 inches at higher terrain. This rainfall in combination
with rapidly rising freezing levels around 3000 to 5000ft will lead
to localized flooding concerns like rapid river rises on small
streams, ponding on road ways and poor drainage due to snow blocking
drains along and south of a line from Sitka to Angoon to Petersburg.
For all of the panhandle, any existing snowpack will become more
dense and hard to move by Friday. Additionally, hard pack snow on
driveways, parking lots, and sidewalks will become very icy.
Preparations should begin for an expected rain on snow event going
into the weekend. Stay tuned for further forecast updates on this
system moving through the week.
&&
.AJK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PUBLIC...Winter Storm Watch from Friday morning through Saturday morning
for AKZ318-319.
Winter Weather Advisory from 9 PM this evening to 9 AM AKST
Friday for AKZ320>322-325.
Flood Watch from Friday morning through Saturday evening for
AKZ320>332.
High Wind Watch from Friday afternoon through late Friday night
for AKZ328-330-332.
MARINE...Gale Warning for PKZ036-641-642-644-651-652-662>664-671-672.
Small Craft Advisory for PKZ022-034-053-643-661.
&&
SHORT TERM...Bezenek
LONG TERM...EAL
AVIATION...EAL
MARINE...Bezenek
HYDRO...EAL
Visit us at http://www.weather.gov/JuneauIn the hours before
Local storm report, Jan 8, 11:11 AM AKST, 29 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Juneau AK
1111 AM AKST Thu Jan 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1025 AM Snow 1 NE Gustavus 58.42N 135.72W
01/08/2026 E6.0 Inch Hoonah-Angoon AK Dept of Highways
DOT in Gustavus reported heavy snow showers
with 2-3 inches between 6and 8am and up to 6
inches at 1025am.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Juneau, AK issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 8, 7:45 AM AKST | Winter Weather Advisory | AJK | Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Juneau City and | 25 hr |
| Jan 8, 9:35 AM AKST | Gale Warning | AJK | 38 hr | |
| Jan 8, 9:35 AM AKST | Small Craft Advisory | AJK | 32 hr | |
| Jan 8, 9:35 AM AKST | Small Craft Advisory | AJK | 56 hr | |
| Jan 8, 11:50 AM AKST | Winter Storm Warning | AJK | Haines, Skagway Municipality | 69 hr |
| Jan 8, 2:21 PM AKST | Gale Warning | AJK | 34 hr | |
| Jan 8, 2:21 PM AKST | Small Craft Advisory | AJK | 10 hr | |
| Jan 8, 2:21 PM AKST | Small Craft Advisory | AJK | 31 hr | |
| Jan 8, 2:21 PM AKST | Storm Warning | AJK | 27 hr |
Nearby
High Wind Warnings in Alaska, 2026Every high wind warning in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.