Active Weather Alerts
Winter Weather Advisory
Issued: 1:13 AM Jan. 5, 2026 – National Weather Service
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON AKST MONDAY... * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 11 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. * WHERE...City and Borough of Sitka. * WHEN...Until noon AKST Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel by land, sea, and air will be difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow showers currently moving through the area are generating fast accumulating snow for the next 3-4 hours. Beyond these snow showers, expect to see a break before the bulk of the precipitation begins. Precipitation will initially start as all snow on Monday. Through the morning and afternoon hours, a transition to a rain/snow mix, or even rain, is expected near sea level as a strong push of southerly winds moves northward. The strongest wind gusts will occur as the southerly winds push northward. The southerly winds diminish in strength on Tuesday, allowing strong rain and snow showers to return to the area. Main forecast challenge will be highly variable snowfall accumulations on Tuesday across the northern panhandle due to the hit or miss nature of the showers. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. People are urged to prepare their property before the onset of winter weather. For the latest road conditions, where available, call 5 1 1 or visit 511.alaska.gov. &&
Marine Weather Statement
Issued: 10:23 PM Jan. 4, 2026 – National Weather Service
...SIGNIFICANT SWELL IMPACTS PANHANDLE COAST MONDAY INTO TUESDAY... A strong-gale force low will develop in the northern Gulf of Alaska early Monday, bringing east to southeast winds of 35 to 45 knots along the outer coast of Southeast Alaska, with long period westerly swell near 14 to 16 seconds moving into the eastern Gulf of Alaska. This swell, combined with fresh seas from the east southeast, and a full moon tidal cycle, will bring large and confused seas near the larger ocean entrances like Cross Sound, southern Chatham Strait, and western Sumner Strait. This significant westerly wave energy could penetrate more generally protected areas like Yakutat Bay, Salisbury Sound into Point Kakul and the western bays along Prince of Wales Island. Caution is advised for mariners planning to transit along the outer coast of Southeast Alaska, or near the larger open ocean entrances into the start of the week.
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