Skagway wind advisory runs until 1 p.m. Thursday, gusts near 40 mph

The National Weather Service in Juneau issued a wind advisory for Skagway on Wednesday, forecasting southwest winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts near 40 mph from 7 am to 1 pm Thursday. The strongest winds are expected in the morning, and gusty conditions will continue through Wednesday night.

The weather service says the wind could blow around unsecured objects, bring down tree limbs and cause a few power outages. It urges anyone on the road or water Thursday morning to use extra caution.

The wind could also make it hard for high-profile vessels to dock, according to the advisory. That's a familiar problem in Skagway, at the northern end of Lynn Canal. High winds kept the state ferry LeConte from docking there Sept. 16, and the Alaska Marine Highway System helped passengers rebook, according to its service notice. Ferry passengers can check the system's service notices online or call reservations at 1-800-642-0066.

The National Park Service says sustained winds of 15 to 20 mph are common in Skagway, and gusts of 40 mph are "not infrequent."