Heat advisory covers multiple parts of Southeast Alaska through Friday

Temperatures in the lower 80s are forecast for Juneau, Eastern Chichagof Island, Skagway, Haines Borough and Klukwan, Prince of Wales Island, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, the City of Hyder and Annette Island through Friday evening. The National Weather Service in Juneau says the heat could bring illness for people not accustomed to this kind of warmth in the region.

The heat advisory runs until 7 p.m. AKDT Friday. For Juneau, Eastern Chichagof Island, Prince of Wales Island, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, the City of Hyder and Annette Island, it takes effect at noon today, Thursday. It also covers Skagway and Haines Borough and Klukwan, where it has been in effect since Wednesday.

"Individuals not accustomed to these unusually hot temperatures for this region may experience heat related illnesses," the advisory says.

"Drink plenty of fluids, and check up on elderly and vulnerable relatives and neighbors," the advisory says. It also tells residents to close curtains during the daytime, open windows at night, and use fans or community buildings with air conditioning.

That guidance is aimed at a region where home air conditioning is uncommon. The Juneau forecast office published a heat advisory FAQ in June 2025 explaining local criteria and preparedness steps, including the use of air-conditioned community buildings.

Forecasters have reissued and expanded the advisory repeatedly since Wednesday morning, when it covered only Skagway, Haines Borough and Klukwan. They added the southern panhandle zones later that day and extended the end time by 24 hours.

Southeast Alaska did not have heat advisories until recently. The Weather Service announced in a May 2025 service change notice that the Juneau and Fairbanks offices would begin issuing them, with an 80-degree threshold for the Juneau forecast area and no duration criterion. Juneau forecasters issued Southeast advisories in June and again in July.

Locations near the ocean or glaciers will be cooler, with a stronger breeze expected in the afternoon.