A strong storm was expected to sweep into Southeast Alaska starting Monday night, according to the National Weather Service, but there won’t be much in Juneau for snow-lovers to enjoy.
On Monday afternoon, satellite images indicated a large cyclonic storm in the Gulf of Alaska. That storm was expected to move north-northeast, making landfall west of Yakutat. The storm’s counter-clockwise rotation will pull moisture and warm air from the central Pacific Ocean northward, across Southeast Alaska.
The National Weather Service has issued a high-wind warning for southern Southeast including Sitka and Ketchikan, and a winter storm warning for northern Southeast, including Haines and Skagway.
Juneau, in the middle, is expected to receive significant rainfall and wind gusts reaching 45 to 55 mph. The city’s ports and harbors department is reminding boat owners to check their mooring lines.
Heavy snow is predicted along the Klondike and Haines highways, with 8-14 inches expected along the Klondike Highway and 12-18 inches along the Haines Highway during the day Tuesday.
In Juneau, the Weather Service expects up to 1 inch of rain on Tuesday, with temperatures in the low 40s.
The rain is expected to slacken but continue through the rest of the week.
