Weather Service issues flood watch

Vehicles send up a spray of water along Egan Drive on Thursday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Vehicles send up a spray of water along Egan Drive on Thursday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

The remnants of an Asian typhoon will pour up to six inches of rain onto Juneau by the end of Friday and cause some flooding, the National Weather Service warns.

In a message Thursday morning, Weather Service forecasters said the aftermath of Typhoon Lan has created an atmospheric river carrying a stream of water from the subtropics toward Southeast Alaska.

Between Thursday and Friday, the Weather Service says Juneau will get about 5.78 inches of rain as the atmospheric river sends a torrent of rain through the gap in the outer coast formed by Icy Strait. Hoonah will see more than 3 inches, Gustavus more than 5 inches; Pelican is expected to see more than seven and a half inches of rain.

A flood watch extends across northern Southeast, from the southern tip of Baranof Island to the Canadian border north of Skagway and Klukwan.

According to a cautionary message sent by the Weather Service, “The persistent heavy rain will saturate the soils and combine with rising freezing levels to melt high elevation snow resulting in the potential to produce significant runoff. The runoff will cause significant fast rises on small creeks and streams and could produce some flooding.”

By 1 p.m. Thursday, the Weather Service had already seen more than a third of an inch of rain at Juneau International Airport.

There is some good news in the forecast, however: Once the atmospheric river passes through the area Friday evening, skies will clear in time for the weekend.

The forecast for Saturday and Sunday calls for mostly sunny skies and high temperatures in the mid 40s.

 


 

• Contact reporter James Brooks at james.k.brooks@juneauempire.com or call 523-2258.

 


 

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Dec. 22

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Denali as seen in a picture distributed by the U.S. Geological Survey in 2015 when the nation’s tallest mountain was renamed from Mount McKinley. (National Park Service photo)
Trump vows name of highest mountain in U.S. will be changed from Denali back to Mt. McKinley

Similar declaration by Trump in 2016 abandoned after Alaska’s U.S. senators expressed opposition.

State Rep. Sara Hannan talks with visitors outside her office at the Alaska State Capitol during the annual holiday open house hosted by Juneau’s legislative delegation on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A moving holiday season for Juneau’s legislators

Delegation hosts annual open house as at least two prepare to occupy better offices as majority members.

The U.S. Capitol in Washington, Dec. 18, 2024. The Senate passed bipartisan legislation early Saturday that would give full Social Security benefits to a group of public sector retirees who currently receive them at a reduced level, sending the bill to President JOE Biden. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)
Congress OKs full Social Security benefits for public sector retirees, including 15,000 in Alaska

Biden expected to sign bill that eliminates government pension offset from benefits.

Pauline Plumb and Penny Saddler carry vegetables grown by fellow gardeners during the 29th Annual Juneau Community Garden Harvest Fair on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Dunleavy says he plans to reestablish state Department of Agriculture via executive order

Demoted to division status after statehood, governor says revival will improve food production policies.

Alan Steffert, a project engineer for the City and Borough of Juneau, explains alternatives considered when assessing infrastructure improvements including utilities upgrades during a meeting to discuss a proposed fee increase Thursday night at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Hike of more than 60% in water rates, 80% in sewer over next five years proposed by CBJ utilities

Increase needed due to rates not keeping up with inflation, officials say; Assembly will need to OK plan.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy and President-elect Donald Trump (left) will be working as chief executives at opposite ends of the U.S. next year, a face constructed of rocks on Sandy Beach is seen among snow in November (center), and KINY’s prize patrol van (right) flashes its colors outside the station this summer. (Photos, from left to right, from Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office, Elliot Welch via Juneau Parks and Recreation, and Mark Sabbatini via the Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s 10 strangest news stories of 2024

Governor’s captivating journey to nowhere, woman who won’t leave the beach among those making waves.

Police calls for Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

The U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Funding for the federal government will lapse at 8:01 p.m. Alaska time on Friday if no deal is reached. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)
A federal government shutdown may begin tonight. Here’s what may happen.

TSA will still screen holiday travelers, military will work without paychecks; food stamps may lapse.

Most Read