


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Juneau, AK
Issued by NWS Juneau, AK
610 FXAK67 PAJK 132209 AFDAJK Southeast Alaska Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Juneau AK Issued by National Weather Service Fairbanks AK 209 PM AKDT Wed Aug 13 2025 .UPDATES...The previous forecast is still on track and little to no changes were made with the latest forecast update. Previous AFD: .SHORT TERM...A marine layer has formed and has moved over Yakutat, into Icy Strait to Gustavus, and into Sumner Strait to around Port Protection. Sitka has mostly been spared of low clouds or dense fog from the protection of Kruzof Island. Expecting to see the typical retreat of the marine layer by 10 AM today. We are also seeing some radiation fog from the dry, northwest flow aloft near Petersburg and Wrangell, and this is, again, expected to burn off in the morning hours. Mostly benign day weather wise for the panhandle, aloft ridging shifting to SW, onshore, moist flow. Therefore, increased cloud cover will move over the panhandle layer in the evening. Regardless, daytime maximum temperatures will be a bit warmer across the region, with many areas reaching the low to mid 70s. This will also allow for more localized afternoon sea breezes to develop, however these are not expected to be particularly strong. For information on ongoing flooding in Juneau, check out the Hydrology section below and check out the latest flood statement at weather.gov/juneau. .LONG TERM.../ Thursday to Sunday / The ridge aloft is moving east and closed low is forming in the bottom of the trough headed to the Southeast gulf and eventually be Southwest of the Haida Gwaii by Friday evening. The track of the low will likely keep any of the rain showers to the southern half. As the low becomes more vertically stacked, more showers will be moving from BC into the southern and then central panhandle Friday and Saturday. The afternoon and evening showers Friday and Saturday and possibly summer doesn`t not include the stronger convection which would mean the mention of thunder. Will watch this to see if it will be needed to be added. Temperatures Thursday overall at or warmer than normal, and the southern panhandle cooling a bit as the clouds and rain spread in. Northern section may be close to 70 degrees Friday. Weekend highs around normal highs. && .AVIATION.../Until 12Z Thursday/...From light winds & clearing skies giving good conditions for radiational cooling over a good portion of the Panhandle, in addition to plenty of SFC moisture in place over the region from recent heavy rainfall, areas of FG are expected to continue into Wednesday morning before thinning out via solar heating. FG anticipated to occur, once again, Wednesday night as similar conditions will be in place. As for SFC winds, they generally look to remain on the lighter side as the pressure gradient remains relatively relaxed through the TAF period under the ridge of high pressure that is building into the region. As we have clearing skies over SE Alaska through the period, some relatively enhanced afternoon sea breeze winds are anticipated for areas prone to those. LLWS will remain benign through the period. && .MARINE... Outside: With rising pressures in the northern and central gulf, winds in the eastern gulf have shifted out of the NW and increased to moderate to fresh breeze (11 - 21 knots). With very light SW swell, wave heights continue to be around 6 ft. Expecting to see the marine layer redevelop tonight, decreasing visibilities down to below one mile Inside: Looking at a lax gradient for most of the day today in the inner channels, with winds dictated by daytime heating and sea breezes. Only expecting Sumner Strait, Icy Strait, and Cross Sound to increase in winds in the afternoon, but not expecting anything higher than a moderate breeze. Special note to areas near the mouth of Mendenhall River, as large trees and other debris have been reported to be washing down the river. && .HYDROLOGY...AT 7:15AM AKDT, THE MENDENHALL LAKE GAUGE CRESTED AT 16.65 FT WHICH IS HIGHER THAN THE 2024 PREVIOUS RECORD FLOOD STAGE OF 15.99 FT. AS OF 1PM AKDT, THE MENDENHALL LAKE GAUGE WAS AT 10.6FT AND FALLING. OTHER AREAS ALONG THE RIVER, LIKE THE BROTHERHOOD BRIDGE GAUGE, HAVE ALSO CRESTED AS OF THIS MORNING. WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR LAKE AND RIVER LEVELS. MARINERS SHOULD CONTINUE TO STAY AWARE NUMEROUS TREES AND DEBRIS HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN THE RIVER AND HAVE WASHED DOWNSTREAM. A Flood Warning for the release of Suicide Basin remains in effect. USGS laser gauge data from Suicide Basin and Mendenhall Lake levels indicate a sub-glacial release from the basin is continuing. Be aware that riverbank erosion, trees, & other debris floating down the river have already been reported. Review the published Flood Warning for more information, as that will be continuously updated. && .AJK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PUBLIC...None. MARINE...None. && $$ Visit us at http://www.weather.gov/Juneau