Wrangell-Saint Elias National Preserve

Lakina River Update

A recently observed landslide across the Lakina River is creating a debris hazard on a popular packrafting route. The river water is cutting its way through, but is highly dynamic and should be expected to remain that way through the boating season.

Winter Weather Advisory issued February 8 at 3:24PM AKST until February 9 at 6:00PM AKST by NWS Anchorage AK

3:24 PM — February 9th, 6:00 AM

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations between 4 and 12 inches. Highest amounts near McCarthy and along the Tok Cutoff from Chistochina to Mentasta Pass. Winds gusting as high as 30 mph along the Tok Cutoff. * WHERE...Central Copper Valley, McCarthy, Southern Copper Valley, and Tok Cutoff. * WHEN...Until 6 PM AKST Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult, especially along the Edgerton Highway and along the Tok Cutoff. The combination of heavy snowfall, gusty winds, and easily transportable snow could result in significantly reduced visibilities on area roadways, especially through Mentasta Pass and along the Tok Cutoff. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A long duration snow will continue across the Copper Valley, along the Tok Cutoff to Mentasta Pass, and along the Edgerton Highway to McCarthy. Light snow will continue through tonight before intensity increases early Monday morning. Snowfall rates of one to two inches per hour are possible at times Monday morning and afternoon. Snow will begin to taper off Monday evening.

Small Craft Advisory issued February 8 at 2:50PM AKST until February 9 at 9:00AM AKST by NWS Juneau AK

2:50 PM — 11:00 PM

* WHAT...Seas 7 to 10 ft. * WHERE...Cape Fairweather to Icy Cape out to 15 NM and Cape Fairweather to Icy Cape from 15 to 80 NM. * WHEN...Until 9 AM AKST Monday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

Small Craft Advisory issued February 8 at 2:45PM AKST until February 9 at 5:00PM AKST by NWS Juneau AK

2:45 PM — February 9th, 8:45 AM

Southeast Alaska Coastal Waters from Dixon Entrance to Cape Suckling out 100 NM Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction expected. Seas forecasts represent the average of the highest one-third of the combined windwave and swell height. .TONIGHT...SE wind 15 kt. Seas 9 ft. Rain showers in the evening. .MON...SE wind 15 kt. Seas 8 ft. Rain showers. .MON NIGHT...S wind 15 kt. Seas 6 ft. Rain showers. .TUE...S wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft. Rain showers. .TUE NIGHT...SE gale to 40 kt. Seas 17 ft. Rain. .WED...S wind 30 kt. Seas 18 ft. .THU...W wind 20 kt. Seas 13 ft. .FRI...N wind 15 kt. Seas 11 ft.

Special Weather Statement issued February 8 at 1:57PM AKST by NWS Juneau AK

1:57 PM — February 9th, 4:00 PM

After a series of shortwaves that brought rain and gusty winds over the past few days, a stronger front will approach southeast Alaska from the west on Tuesday. South to southeast winds will increase through the day Tuesday. Confidence is increasing for windy conditions with strong gusts Tuesday night into Wednesday morning as the front pushes west to east across southeast Alaska. Gales with storm force gusts will be possible ahead and along the frontal passage, especially along north-south oriented channels and along the coastal waters. A period of moderate to heavy rainfall will be possible with the frontal passage, but with the progressive nature of the front, flooding is not expected at this time. Another gale to potentially storm force low will quickly lift northeast into the Gulf and looks to push across southeast Alaska sometime later Wednesday into Thursday, bringing another round of strong gusty winds and moderate to heavy rainfall. Further details on the high wind and flooding potential for this system will be honed in on in the coming days. Looking further ahead, a cooling trend is favored to commence in the wake of these passing systems by late work week into the weekend. Snow levels will begin to lower and a colder outflow wind pattern could set up by late weekend. This could result in a return of snow for some coastal communities, especially across northern southeast Alaska. Further details on the pattern change and snow potential will be honed as the weekend approaches.

Winter Weather Advisory issued February 8 at 1:45PM AKST until February 9 at 9:00PM AKST by NWS Fairbanks AK

1:45 PM — February 9th, 9:00 PM

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches. * WHERE...Upper Tanana Valley. * WHEN...Until 9 PM AKST Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult.

Small Craft Advisory issued February 8 at 3:07AM AKST until February 9 at 5:00AM AKST by NWS Juneau AK

3:07 AM — 9:15 PM

Southeast Alaska Coastal Waters from Dixon Entrance to Cape Suckling out 100 NM Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction expected. Seas forecasts represent the average of the highest one-third of the combined windwave and swell height. .TODAY...SE wind 25 kt becoming S 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 10 ft. Rain showers. .TONIGHT...SE wind 15 kt. Seas 9 ft. S swell. Rain showers. .MON...SE wind 15 kt. Seas 8 ft. S swell. Rain showers. .MON NIGHT...S wind 15 kt. Seas 7 ft. Rain showers. .TUE...S gale to 40 kt. Seas 17 ft. .WED...S gale to 40 kt. Seas 18 ft. .THU...W wind 20 kt. Seas 12 ft.