Gale-force winds, 15-foot seas forecast for Yakutat waters this weekend

A low-pressure system moving into the northern Gulf of Alaska will bring deteriorating marine conditions to waters off Yakutat starting Friday night, the National Weather Service said. Seas could build to 10 to 15 feet with gale-force easterly winds possible along northern Gulf coastal waters over the weekend.

Gale warnings alert mariners to sustained winds of 34 to 47 knots, producing hazardous conditions for vessels.

The weather event is forecast to last 24 to 48 hours. Alaska fishers and charter operators rely on NWS marine forecasts and warnings when deciding whether to transit exposed Gulf of Alaska waters during periods of forecast gale-force winds and high seas.

The same system will bring heavy rain to Yakutat, with forecasters predicting 2 to 4 inches over 24 hours. There's an 80% probability of rainfall exceeding 2 inches within 24 hours, a 60% probability of exceeding 3 inches within 48 hours, and a 30% chance that rainfall totals will reach or exceed 4 inches.

Despite the rainfall totals, no flooding is expected because soil moisture levels remain low, between 50% and 60%, allowing most precipitation to absorb into the ground. River levels are likely to rise, but the National Weather Service said it will continue to monitor the development of the system and any possible impacts.