Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Ketchikan, AK
 | Sunrise 5:14 AM Sunset 9:47 PM Moonrise 2:42 AM Moonset 3:11 PM |
PKZ036 Clarence Strait- 356 Am Akdt Thu May 22 2025
Today - Variable wind 10 kt becoming S 10 kt. Seas 2 ft or less.
Tonight - SE wind 15 kt. Seas building to 4 ft late.
Fri - SE wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft. Rain.
Fri night - SE wind 25 kt. Seas 5 ft, except 8 ft near ocean entrances. Rain.
Sat - SE wind 30 kt. Seas 12 ft.
Sun - SE wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.
Mon - SE wind 25 kt. Seas 8 ft.
PKZ005
No data
No data
7 Day Forecast for Marine Location Near Ketchikan, AK
NEW! Add second zone forecast
| Lancaster Cove Click for Map Thu -- 02:42 AM AKDT Moonrise Thu -- 03:11 AM AKDT 3.03 feet Low Tide Thu -- 04:27 AM AKDT Sunrise Thu -- 09:12 AM AKDT 12.11 feet High Tide Thu -- 03:10 PM AKDT Moonset Thu -- 03:17 PM AKDT 2.03 feet Low Tide Thu -- 09:03 PM AKDT Sunset Thu -- 09:49 PM AKDT 14.50 feet High Tide Tide / Current data from XTide NOT FOR NAVIGATION |
Lancaster Cove, Cholmondeley Sound, Alaska, Tide feet
| 12 am |
| 8.5 |
| 1 am |
| 5.9 |
| 2 am |
| 4 |
| 3 am |
| 3.1 |
| 4 am |
| 3.4 |
| 5 am |
| 4.9 |
| 6 am |
| 7.1 |
| 7 am |
| 9.5 |
| 8 am |
| 11.3 |
| 9 am |
| 12.1 |
| 10 am |
| 11.7 |
| 11 am |
| 10.2 |
| 12 pm |
| 7.8 |
| 1 pm |
| 5.3 |
| 2 pm |
| 3.2 |
| 3 pm |
| 2.1 |
| 4 pm |
| 2.4 |
| 5 pm |
| 4 |
| 6 pm |
| 6.6 |
| 7 pm |
| 9.5 |
| 8 pm |
| 12.2 |
| 9 pm |
| 14 |
| 10 pm |
| 14.5 |
| 11 pm |
| 13.5 |
| Niblack Anchorage Click for Map Thu -- 02:42 AM AKDT Moonrise Thu -- 03:15 AM AKDT 3.03 feet Low Tide Thu -- 04:28 AM AKDT Sunrise Thu -- 09:12 AM AKDT 11.61 feet High Tide Thu -- 03:10 PM AKDT Moonset Thu -- 03:21 PM AKDT 2.03 feet Low Tide Thu -- 09:03 PM AKDT Sunset Thu -- 09:49 PM AKDT 14.00 feet High Tide Tide / Current data from XTide NOT FOR NAVIGATION |
Niblack Anchorage, Moira Sound, Alaska, Tide feet
| 12 am |
| 8.3 |
| 1 am |
| 5.9 |
| 2 am |
| 4 |
| 3 am |
| 3.1 |
| 4 am |
| 3.4 |
| 5 am |
| 4.7 |
| 6 am |
| 6.8 |
| 7 am |
| 9 |
| 8 am |
| 10.8 |
| 9 am |
| 11.6 |
| 10 am |
| 11.2 |
| 11 am |
| 9.8 |
| 12 pm |
| 7.6 |
| 1 pm |
| 5.2 |
| 2 pm |
| 3.2 |
| 3 pm |
| 2.1 |
| 4 pm |
| 2.3 |
| 5 pm |
| 3.8 |
| 6 pm |
| 6.3 |
| 7 pm |
| 9.2 |
| 8 pm |
| 11.8 |
| 9 pm |
| 13.5 |
| 10 pm |
| 14 |
| 11 pm |
| 13 |
FXAK67 PAJK 221348 AFDAJK
Southeast Alaska Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Juneau AK 548 AM AKDT Thu May 22 2025
SHORT TERM
Chances of rain linger across the panhandle on Thursday, although anticipate that they will diminish across the northern half of the panhandle by Thursday night, ahead of an advancing system. By late Thursday night into early Friday morning, more widespread organized rainfall will begin advancing out of the S, and into the Southern panhandle.
Satellite imagery as of the time of writing depicts a vertically stacked low which has entered the western Gulf. Drier stratospheric air (cooler air) has already wrapped around the low's center fully, and consequently the low is already occluding.
This low will decay slightly through the day on Thursday, even as it brings an occluded front up from the South Thursday night.
This front will bring with it some enhanced winds (upwards of 20 to 25 kt sustained), along with some precipitation - both of these largely focused on the southern panhandle.
While this front is moving into the panhandle, a quick moving trough from south of the Aleutian Islands will combine with the existing upper low to significantly amplify the trough. The trough on Thursday going into Friday will become negatively tilted, with significant divergence over the southern panhandle. The result will be a stronger front moving into the southern panhandle Friday morning. Moderate to heavy rain rates will accompany this front on Friday morning for the southern panhandle, with rates upwards of 0.1 inches per hour with rain totals around 1 inch. It is important to note, these rain rates and totals may not seem impressive; however, it is unusual to see these higher rain totals during this time of year.
LONG TERM
Looking towards the weekend, the rainy weather returns with the rainy weather lasting into next week.
Key points: -Moderate to heavy rain expected in the panhandle beginning Saturday.
-Stronger-than-normal southerly winds will move into the southern panhandle.
-Rainy weather looks to last well into next week.
Details: An area of low pressure will slide into the panhandle from the west, then get pushed northward Saturday and Sunday. Beyond Sunday, ensemble models keep an averaged low pressure in the gulf through much of next week. This would give SE AK a rainy week.
As far as rainfall amounts, latest EURO and GFS ensembles are averaging about 1 to 2 inches of rain each day beginning Saturday.
Areas on the windward side of mountains could get a little more.
Overall, just a rainy week ahead but no flooding is expected at this time.
For wind speeds, the EFI is highlighting stronger-than-normal southerly wind speeds Saturday through Monday. Marine wind speeds in the southern inner channels could get upwards of 20 to 35 knots with the strongest speeds found in southern Clarence Strait and in the outside waters.
AVIATION
/through 12z Friday/...
Predominate VFR flight conditions this morning across the SEAK panhandle with CIGS 3500 to 7000 ft, outside of Yakutat and Ketchikan with MVFR flight conditions due to intermittent BKN CIGS around 1500 to 2500ft.
Expecting similar conditions to yesterday with conditions improving to widespread VFR through Thursday afternoon with CIGS AoA 4000ft and prevailing 6SM outside of showers. Good news for today, showers and clouds coverage decreases through the early afternoon as overall flow pattern turns more Southeasterly then eventually Easterly. Winds should remain near 10kts or less for majority of the panhandle through the afternoon, outside Skagway which will see sustained winds up to 15kts and isolated gust up to 25kts.
Main aviation concern will come near the end of the TAF period as flight conditions will deteriorate for the southern panhandle into Friday morning as a system in the eastern Gulf pushes a front into the southern panhandle by 08 to 12z, with showers and lowered CIGS primarily along and south of a line from Sitka to Petersburg. Southeasterly LLWS will be strongest near Ketchikan and Klawock by 12z Friday, near 25 to 30kts around 2000ft, with LLWS further increasing in strength just outside the TAF period as front pushes inland.
MARINE
Outside: Ahead of the next low pressure system, winds in the gulf remain around 10 to 20 kts with maximum wave heights around 6 ft in the outer coastal waters, building to 7-8 ft by Thursday night. Anticipate higher waveheights in the central gulf of up to 10-12 feet. On Friday, a weak front increases winds and waves along the southeastern gulf coast. The stronger front increases winds and waves for the gulf Saturday. Late Friday night into Saturday morning, southerly winds across the southern gulf increase to 25 to 35 kts. There is an 80% chance that wind gusts will reach strong gale force of 40 to 45 kts for these southern areas. At this time on Saturday, wave heights will build to 10 to 12 ft west of POW and over N Dixon Entrance.
Inside: Thursday continues to see most areas enjoying light to moderate winds (5 to 10 kt), barring some potentially stronger winds in Northern Lynn Canal. The situation changes beginning Thursday night, as winds in Clarence Strait and near Cape Spencer begin ramping up in response to an approaching front. On Friday, the first system will reach the panhandle increasing winds near cross sound to 15 to 25 kts and winds in Southern Clarence Strait to 20 to 30 kts. The stronger front makes its way to the panhandle Saturday increasing southern channels to near gale to gale force winds. Confidence has increased with stronger wind speeds occurring, and we will continue to monitor the trend of these winds in the southern panhandle.
A marine weather statement has been issued focused on the stronger winds and waves this weekend.
AJK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
PUBLIC...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory for PKZ641-661>664-671-672.
Southeast Alaska Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Juneau AK 548 AM AKDT Thu May 22 2025
SHORT TERM
Chances of rain linger across the panhandle on Thursday, although anticipate that they will diminish across the northern half of the panhandle by Thursday night, ahead of an advancing system. By late Thursday night into early Friday morning, more widespread organized rainfall will begin advancing out of the S, and into the Southern panhandle.
Satellite imagery as of the time of writing depicts a vertically stacked low which has entered the western Gulf. Drier stratospheric air (cooler air) has already wrapped around the low's center fully, and consequently the low is already occluding.
This low will decay slightly through the day on Thursday, even as it brings an occluded front up from the South Thursday night.
This front will bring with it some enhanced winds (upwards of 20 to 25 kt sustained), along with some precipitation - both of these largely focused on the southern panhandle.
While this front is moving into the panhandle, a quick moving trough from south of the Aleutian Islands will combine with the existing upper low to significantly amplify the trough. The trough on Thursday going into Friday will become negatively tilted, with significant divergence over the southern panhandle. The result will be a stronger front moving into the southern panhandle Friday morning. Moderate to heavy rain rates will accompany this front on Friday morning for the southern panhandle, with rates upwards of 0.1 inches per hour with rain totals around 1 inch. It is important to note, these rain rates and totals may not seem impressive; however, it is unusual to see these higher rain totals during this time of year.
LONG TERM
Looking towards the weekend, the rainy weather returns with the rainy weather lasting into next week.
Key points: -Moderate to heavy rain expected in the panhandle beginning Saturday.
-Stronger-than-normal southerly winds will move into the southern panhandle.
-Rainy weather looks to last well into next week.
Details: An area of low pressure will slide into the panhandle from the west, then get pushed northward Saturday and Sunday. Beyond Sunday, ensemble models keep an averaged low pressure in the gulf through much of next week. This would give SE AK a rainy week.
As far as rainfall amounts, latest EURO and GFS ensembles are averaging about 1 to 2 inches of rain each day beginning Saturday.
Areas on the windward side of mountains could get a little more.
Overall, just a rainy week ahead but no flooding is expected at this time.
For wind speeds, the EFI is highlighting stronger-than-normal southerly wind speeds Saturday through Monday. Marine wind speeds in the southern inner channels could get upwards of 20 to 35 knots with the strongest speeds found in southern Clarence Strait and in the outside waters.
AVIATION
/through 12z Friday/...
Predominate VFR flight conditions this morning across the SEAK panhandle with CIGS 3500 to 7000 ft, outside of Yakutat and Ketchikan with MVFR flight conditions due to intermittent BKN CIGS around 1500 to 2500ft.
Expecting similar conditions to yesterday with conditions improving to widespread VFR through Thursday afternoon with CIGS AoA 4000ft and prevailing 6SM outside of showers. Good news for today, showers and clouds coverage decreases through the early afternoon as overall flow pattern turns more Southeasterly then eventually Easterly. Winds should remain near 10kts or less for majority of the panhandle through the afternoon, outside Skagway which will see sustained winds up to 15kts and isolated gust up to 25kts.
Main aviation concern will come near the end of the TAF period as flight conditions will deteriorate for the southern panhandle into Friday morning as a system in the eastern Gulf pushes a front into the southern panhandle by 08 to 12z, with showers and lowered CIGS primarily along and south of a line from Sitka to Petersburg. Southeasterly LLWS will be strongest near Ketchikan and Klawock by 12z Friday, near 25 to 30kts around 2000ft, with LLWS further increasing in strength just outside the TAF period as front pushes inland.
MARINE
Outside: Ahead of the next low pressure system, winds in the gulf remain around 10 to 20 kts with maximum wave heights around 6 ft in the outer coastal waters, building to 7-8 ft by Thursday night. Anticipate higher waveheights in the central gulf of up to 10-12 feet. On Friday, a weak front increases winds and waves along the southeastern gulf coast. The stronger front increases winds and waves for the gulf Saturday. Late Friday night into Saturday morning, southerly winds across the southern gulf increase to 25 to 35 kts. There is an 80% chance that wind gusts will reach strong gale force of 40 to 45 kts for these southern areas. At this time on Saturday, wave heights will build to 10 to 12 ft west of POW and over N Dixon Entrance.
Inside: Thursday continues to see most areas enjoying light to moderate winds (5 to 10 kt), barring some potentially stronger winds in Northern Lynn Canal. The situation changes beginning Thursday night, as winds in Clarence Strait and near Cape Spencer begin ramping up in response to an approaching front. On Friday, the first system will reach the panhandle increasing winds near cross sound to 15 to 25 kts and winds in Southern Clarence Strait to 20 to 30 kts. The stronger front makes its way to the panhandle Saturday increasing southern channels to near gale to gale force winds. Confidence has increased with stronger wind speeds occurring, and we will continue to monitor the trend of these winds in the southern panhandle.
A marine weather statement has been issued focused on the stronger winds and waves this weekend.
AJK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
PUBLIC...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory for PKZ641-661>664-671-672.
| Stations | Dist | Age | Wind | Air | Water | Waves | inHg | DewPt |
| GIXA2 | 19 mi | 30 min | E 6G | 46°F | 42°F | |||
| WCXA2 | 23 mi | 30 min | 0G | 45°F | ||||
| KEXA2 | 24 mi | 30 min | SSE 1.9G | 46°F | ||||
| KECA2 - 9450460 - Ketchikan, AK | 26 mi | 54 min | ESE 1.9G | 45°F | 51°F | 30.11 | ||
| SLXA2 | 26 mi | 30 min | ESE 4.1G | 46°F | 30.01 | 43°F | ||
| SXXA2 | 28 mi | 30 min | SSE 2.9G | 46°F | 41°F | |||
| MRYA2 | 49 mi | 30 min | NE 1.9G | 50°F | 30.08 | 45°F |
Wind History for Ketchikan, AK
toggle option: (graph/table)
Link to 1 hour of 5 minute data for PAKT
Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) for PAKT
Wind History Graph: AKT
(wind in knots)
GEOS Local Image of Pacific Northwest
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Sitka/Juneau,AK
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