...HEAVY RAIN POTENTIAL FOR SOUTHERN PANHANDLE EARLY NEXT WEEK... Following a front bringing rain across the panhandle Sunday, a fast developing low is expected to move into the SE gulf Monday into Tuesday. This system is expected to bring enhanced rainfall to the far southern panhandle, particularly Ketchikan and Metlakatla. Model spread in the track of this feature suggests two primary solutions, with the more impactful solution bringing the low on a more northerly track, skirting the outer coast. The less impactful solution would see the low be more progressive and not track as far north before moving inland into Canada. The more impactful solution would bring 24 hr totals of at least 1.0 to 2.5 inches of rainfall to Ketchikan and Metlakatla along with strong breezes up to near gales (30 kt) into southern Clarence Strait as well as the coastal waters from Dixon Entrance northward to Cape Decision. Heaviest rainfall is expected along southerly facing mountains. The less impactful solution would still see periods of heavy rainfall with overall lower totals, along with lower winds for Clarence Strait and the SE gulf. Rivers and lakes may reach bank full conditions but no flooding is expected at this time.
