Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Yakutat, AK

AVIATION
Fog and low clouds that developed in the inner channels overnight have largely cleared out by early this afternoon, with widespread VFR conditions across the panhandle. A marine layer stretching from Yakutat along the outer coast down to Prince of Wales has continued to shrink through the day, though remains anchored in the Fairweather grounds near the coast as of this discussion. Overnight Monday this feature is expected to expand once more to fully engulf Yakutat and most other gulf coast sites as well as gradually push in towards Gustavus bringing CIGs to 1000 ft or less, likely low enough to affect VIS as well.
Elsewhere across the inner channels, low clouds and radiational fog are again expected for late Monday night mainly over the south (radiational fog and low clouds). Expect IFR or lower from these features which will likely dissipate again later Tuesday morning, though Yakutat and Cross Sound eastward to Gustavus could be waiting a bit longer into the afternoon for a reprieve. Winds will remain relatively light with sea breezes up to 15 - 20 kt in the afternoon expected once more Tuesday (particularly Skagway).

MARINE
Outside Waters: Light northwesterly winds in the gulf begin to increase tonight as the ridge continues to build. Wind speeds along the coast will increase to fresh to strong breezes (17 to 27 kts) Tuesday morning and will persist into Wednesday when the high pressure begins to weaken. Wave heights at 4 to 5 ft increase through Monday night to nearly 8 ft off the southern coast of PoW. With the clear skies and warming temperatures, a marine layer is expected to develop along the coast. Based on persistance, it will most likely begin early off the coast of Yakutat and travel south.

Inside Waters: Light winds persist in the inner channels through the day with the exception of afternoon onshore sea breezes picking up to moderate breezes (11 to 16 kts). Cross Sound into Icy Strait and Lynn Canal will see the strongest winds Tuesday afternoon, with Northern Lynn potentially seeing up to 20 kts of wind. Winds in southern Clarence Strait will continue to increase through the period as the tightening ridge increases offshore flow. Increasing temperatures and clearing skies may allow for fog and marine layer development in the early morning which will dissipate as the morning goes on. Channel entrances may see the low cloud deck attempt to push inward through the morning, especially through Cross Sound. Some areas near Frederick Sound may see visibilities decrease to near a quarter mile with fog development.



AJK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
PUBLIC...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory for PKZ641-661.