...HIGH WIND AND HEAVY RAIN FOR THE WEEKEND... Heavy rain returns to the southern and central panhandle over the weekend as a strong plume of moisture, associated with a low pressure system, move north. This system reaches the panhandle Saturday afternoon and continues to bring times of heavy precipitation through Sunday. The heaviest rainfall rates are most likely to occur over the far southern panhandle between Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Rain amounts between 2 to 5 inches are expected. Isolated higher amounts are possible in areas of elevated terrain. Precipitation amounts currently look to be between a 2 to 5 year return interval event. Rises in water levels are anticipated but no river flooding is expected at this time. Additionally, high winds will be a concern across the southern panhandle as the system moves northward. A High Wind Watch is in effect for Prince of Wales Island, Ketchikan, and Metlakatla from the latter half of Saturday through Sunday morning, with gusts of up to 60 mph possible. Given the potential combination of high winds and heavy rainfall, isolated landslides may be possible in areas of steep terrain.
