Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Skagway, AK

FXAK67 PAJK 172307 AFDAJK

Southeast Alaska Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Juneau AK 307 PM AKDT Thu Apr 17 2025

SHORT TERM
A deep upper level trough continues to push eastward over the western Gulf, and is expected to push the steep ridge over western Canada even further to the east as we move into tomorrow. This trough will continue to push this low northeast into southern Alaska before it begins to dissipate. The front extended from this low is currently moving through the panhandle this afternoon through late tonight, bringing QPF totals of around 0.5 inches to 1 inch to the northern and central panhandle, and around 0.3 inches to the southern panhandle as the front begins to break apart. White Pass and other high elevation areas in the northern panhandle above the 3000 ft snow level are expected to see this precipitation fall as a wet, heavy snow, with the Klondike Highway near White Pass being expected to see around 5 inches of snow tonight into tomorrow morning. Following this front is going to be some convective showers beginning in Yakutat tonight, before pushing into the panhandle by tomorrow morning. These showers will continue to impact the panhandle until this weekend.

This front currently over the panhandle will continue to bring a tighter pressure gradient over the northern panhandle, with some stronger winds impacting Lynn Canal and Skagway. Wind gusts of up to 30 kt are expected for Skagway and up along the Klondike Highway due to this strong pressure gradient and frontal passage. These winds aren't expected to dissipate until tomorrow night, though some stronger winds may linger in the southern panhandle along the coast.
For more information on marine winds, check the marine section below.

LONG TERM
Saturday the panhandle will be on the backside of a trough moving into Canada, with a ridge building across the gulf.
Expect winds to weaken and showers to break apart through Saturday, leaving behind a pretty nice day for Sunday; if you happen to like some fog in the morning, sun in the afternoon, and light winds. While we enjoy a nice break at the end of the weekend a weakening 500mb low will be transiting along the Aleutian Arc into Bristol Bay, which will help increase cloud cover and bring light rain by the start of the week. Attention turns to Wednesday where a broad open longwave trough moves off the Alaskan Peninsula into the gulf, helping to reinforce a surface low. For mariners planning on the Cross Sound - Prince William transit, major ensemble players are showing agreement on at least 25 knots of easterly wind, with the potential for near gale force, along the northern coast.
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