Winter Storm Watch

Headline

...INCOMING STORM COULD BRING HEAVY SNOW TO THE NORTHERN PANHANDLE...
.This weekend's snowfall event has high potential to be a heavy snow maker to the higher elevations of the Klondike, but for the Haines Highway there is still some uncertainty. Even higher uncertainty at sea level in Skagway and Haines.
A low pressure system is forecast to track north through the eastern gulf through Saturday night. The low will then move northeast just south of Cross Sound and move inland towards Canada just north of Juneau. That being said, there is some evidence that the low could track west and stay in the gulf through Sunday or turn towards Canada and track south of Juneau on Sunday. These other tracks would greatly affect the final snowfall amounts but for now, the following amounts are based on the first track.
Another variable is the precipitation type forecast. As this low moves north, the front side of the low will have northerly flow, that would usher in cooler air and support snow. But as the low tracks north, there will be a southerly push of wind that would switch the snow to rain. The question is whether or not the southerly push makes it that far north. There is more evidence in the models that the switch to rain would happen because of the southerly push but history and pattern recognition would say snow would last into Sunday afternoon. So the precip type forecast will be a challenge.

Full Alert Message

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Juneau AK 355 AM AKST Sat Nov 8 2025 ...INCOMING STORM COULD BRING HEAVY SNOW TO THE NORTHERN PANHANDLE... .This weekend's snowfall event has high potential to be a heavy snow maker to the higher elevations of the Klondike, but for the Haines Highway there is still some uncertainty. Even higher uncertainty at sea level in Skagway and Haines. A low pressure system is forecast to track north through the eastern gulf through Saturday night. The low will then move northeast just south of Cross Sound and move inland towards Canada just north of Juneau. That being said, there is some evidence that the low could track west and stay in the gulf through Sunday or turn towards Canada and track south of Juneau on Sunday. These other tracks would greatly affect the final snowfall amounts but for now, the following amounts are based on the first track. Another variable is the precipitation type forecast. As this low moves north, the front side of the low will have northerly flow, that would usher in cooler air and support snow. But as the low tracks north, there will be a southerly push of wind that would switch the snow to rain. The question is whether or not the southerly push makes it that far north. There is more evidence in the models that the switch to rain would happen because of the southerly push but history and pattern recognition would say snow would last into Sunday afternoon. So the precip type forecast will be a challenge. ...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 10 to 13 inches possible past mile marker 8. For Skagway, amounts up to 1 to 3 inches possible. * WHERE...Higher elevations along the Klondike Highway, especially near White Pass. * WHEN...From late Saturday night through Sunday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult and is discouraged. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Depending on the temperature profile and how much moisture can flow into the area, snowfall amounts could be as high as 14 to 17 inches, but numbers like that are on the high end with the lowest confidence. If the southerly push makes it to Skagway faster than expected, total snowfall amounts for Skagway would be lower than the 1 to 3 inches mentioned above. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.