Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Craig, AK

AVIATION
Mixed bag of flight conditions across the area this morning, with VFR to MVFR across the southern and interior panhandle down to IFR flight conditions near Yakutat as a potent wave pushes into the north Gulf coast. For the rest of this afternoon, worst flight conditions will remain near Yakutat as the potent upper wave pushes into the Gulf coast, with CIGS AoB 1000ft and intermittent visibilities down to 2 to 3SM within heaviest showers. Elsewhere among SEAK TAF sites, expect similar conditions to yesterday, VFR to upper-end MVFR with CIGS AoB 5000ft through Wednesday morning, gradually improving to predominate VFR through the early afternoon primarily across the southern panhandle. Elevated winds continue for Skagway and Haines TAF sites, with sustained winds up to 20kts and isolated gusts up to 30kts possible, decreasing through 00z.
Elsewhere across the panhandle, winds should remain around 15kts or less through this afternoon, however, can't rule out a rogue gust up to 25kts.

Not expecting this reprieve to last however as a secondary system approaches the southern Gulf coast by Wednesday night into Thursday morning, returning widespread precipitation, elevated winds, and LLWS across the panhandle. By Thursday morning, expect flight conditions to deteriorate to predominate MVFR or worse with CIGS AoB 4000ft and intermittent reduced visibilities.

Main aviation concern through the forecast period will be LLWS for coastal and southern panhandle TAF sites. Anticipate southeasterly LLWS around 1000 to 2000ft to continue for Yakutat through Wednesday afternoon, as highlighted by the Alaska Aviation Weather Unit, maximizing near 50kts by 18z through 00z.
By Thursday night the aforementioned secondary system pushes into the southern panhandle, SE- ly LLWS will increase for southern panhandle TAF sites such as Sitka, Klawock, and Ketchikan, up to 30kts by 00z, increasing to near 50kts by 12z Thursday.

MARINE
Outside:Southeasterly winds continue to escalate along our coast, with gale force expected before the afternoon. Main forecast update includes the classic barrier jet of Cape Suckling, where high resolution guidance is showing strong agreement of sustained easterly strong gales with gusts to storm force. Expect peak winds Wednesday late-morning into the early afternoon; however, gale to near-gale force winds continue into Wednesday night, spreading into Dixon Entrance. Buoys on the outside as of 3am show a broad spread of westerly wave energy, however, significant heights are below 8ft. This story will change through Wednesday morning as the aforementioned wind field drives fresh seas of 15 to 18ft out of the south.

Inside:Overnight, the highest winds continued to be in Lynn Canal where Eldred Rock was seeing fresh to strong breezes out of the south. As a gale force low moves into the western gulf, the isobars become more north-south orientated signaling a slight decrease in winds for Lynn. Meanwhile Clarence Strait increases to fresh breezes through the day. Easterly winds will also start to be pulled out of Icy Strait, likely reaching moderate to fresh breezes. Wednesday night winds really increase across most inner channels with all areas seeing at least strong breezes, some areas of gale force likely for Clarence.

AJK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
PUBLIC...Strong Wind from this evening through late tonight for AKZ323.
MARINE...Gale Warning for PKZ036-641-642-651-652-661>664-671-672.
Small Craft Advisory for PKZ021-022-031-033>035-053-643-644.