Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Elfin Cove, AK

AVIATION
VFR conditions are predominant across most of SE AK, and look set to remain through the remainder of Saturday. While IFR conditions linger near Yakutat - where a decaying system in the Western Gulf is producing lower CIGS, and in Gustavus - where fog has resulted in LIFR CIGS and VIS, both of these ares will see an improving trend through the day on Saturday. Saturday night into Sunday morning, some locations -especially in the central and northern panhandle, will go back down to IFR as patchy fog formation occurs, though this fog will likewise dissipate through the daytime hours on Sunday.

Winds will remain on the lighter side for most places, save for Haines where NW flow will persist through the weekend. Quiet weather, VFR conditions (save for fog), and lighter winds across most locations will persist into next week.

SYNOPSIS

Key Messages:

- Decent break in weather for much of the region through the weekend and into the start of next week.

- Main threat to mariners and aviators is periods of dense fog, most likely in the morning and evening hours.

SHORT TERM
/Through Saturday night/ Fairly quiet morning across the panhandle with light winds and some patchy fog in isolated areas (mainly Yakutat, Angoon, and Petersburg so far). Some high to mid level cloud cover from the front in the gulf is streaming over the northern half of the panhandle while the south is mostly clear right now.

Short range forecast is expected to remain rather quiet as strong high pressure in the Yukon spreads over the Panhandle and eastern gulf. Aloft, a ridge spreading in from the SE is reinforcing this quiet trend by deflecting all the storm tracks into south central Alaska. The only main concern is how much fog are various areas going to receive due to the breaks in cloud cover and the low wind conditions. Not much developed this morning due to higher level clouds, but there is a better chance for Sat night as skies are expected to clear out a bit more which should allow more areas of fog to develop. Otherwise winds are expected to remain mostly low and temperatures will stay above normal.

LONG TERM
Very little change for the long term, with continued quiet weather and decreasing fog chances. A strengthening mid/upper level ridge stretching from the Interior of the state down through SE AK will divert would-be weather makers well away from the panhandle. Warmer low level temperatures will help keep high temperatures above freezing, although some areas will still drop below freezing during the overnights. As the ridge retrogrades into an omega block like feature to the west, building high pressure in the Yukon will increase northerly winds, and cooling temperatures.



MARINE
Outside (Gulf and Coastal waters): A gale force low continues to weaken, with peak significant heights of 20 to 25 ft along the northern coast reported by buoy 82 early Friday. Seas will continue to diminish overnight tonight, dropping below 10ft by Saturday evening. Expecting deep water significant wave heights to remain below 10 ft through the start of next week (at least through Wednesday) with southwesterly swell generated from storms south of the Aleutians impacting our coast.

Inside (Inner Channels): Strongest winds Friday are southerly fresh to strong breezes for Lynn Canal, diminishing to below 15 knots Friday night. Light winds below 15 knots expected for all major passages Saturday into Sunday. Main threat for folks is periods of dense fog in the morning and overnight hours. Northerly outflow winds of fresh to strong breezes become likely starting Tuesday.

AJK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
PUBLIC...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory for PKZ022-053-641>644-651-652-661>664-671- 672.