Yakutat braces for gale-force winds, 10-15 ft seas this weekend

A low pressure system will bring gale-force winds and seas building to 10 to 15 feet to Yakutat's coastal waters starting Friday night, the National Weather Service warned Thursday.

The system is expected to bring increased moisture toward Yakutat and the northern Gulf coast this weekend, lasting around 24 to 48 hours. Marine conditions will deteriorate beginning Friday night, with gale-force winds possible along the northern Gulf coastal waters over the weekend.

Forecasters predict the most likely scenario is 2 to 3 inches of rain over 24 hours. There's a 60% chance of more than 2 inches in 24 hours and a 60% chance of more than 3 inches in 48 hours.

No flooding is expected because soil moisture levels remain low, at around 50 to 60 percent. Most of the rain will be absorbed into the ground, though river levels are likely to rise.

The National Weather Service defines a Gale Warning for marine areas as sustained surface winds of 34 to 47 knots, creating hazardous conditions for most vessels.

Paul O'Connor, a local fisherman, said uncertainty in forecasts creates real danger. "We're making big decisions on whether we want to go out in 10 foot seas in a 22 foot skiff or not," O'Connor said. "And we need to know what the weather's going to do and we need that to be accurate."

The National Weather Service said it will continue to monitor the development of this system and any possible impacts.