Buckle In, Southeast (snow, sell, cheap)

[Metlakatla]

----------------
Akz027-082100-
/x.con.pajk.hs.w.0012.080209t0300z-080210t0300z/
Dixon Entrance To Cape Decision Coastal Area-
Including The Cities Of...craig...klawock
959 Am Ast Fri Feb 8 2008

...heavy Snow Warning Remains In Effect From 6 Pm This Evening To
6 Pm Ast Saturday...

A Heavy Snow Warning Remains In Effect From 6 Pm This Evening To
6 Pm Ast Saturday.

Snow Will Develop Over The Area This Evening...and Become Heavy
At Times Later Tonight And Saturday. Total Snowfall Of Up To
15 Inches Is Expected By Late Saturday Afternoon.

A Warning Means That Heavy Snow Is Already Occurring Or Imminent.
Heavy Snow Could Pose A Threat To Life And Property.

All Travel Should Be Done With Extreme Caution.

Please Stay Tuned To Noaa Weather Radio Or Your Favorite Local
Weather News Source For Updates On This Winter Storm.

This Statement Will Be Updated By 12 Pm Ast Today Or Sooner If
Conditions Warrant.

[DannyL]

Friday, February 8, 2008 2ND EDITION





Harsh winter weather forecast for Juneau
If you think its been a harsh winter up to now, wait until you hear this.

There's a wind advisory in effect until nine this morning. Northeast winds from 15 to 25 miles per hour with gusts to 45 are forecast. That will drive the windchill to 25 below zero.

A high wind watch is in effect from late tonight through Saturday morning. Northeast winds to 50 with gusts to 80 are expected in the downtown area and Douglas and near Interior passes.

Wind chill to 30 below is forecast tonight.

And then a winter storm watch is in effect from Saturday afternoon through Sunday afternoon. Up to 24 inches is expected during that time.

Meteorologist Bob Shontz in the Juneau Forecast Office calls it a complex situation.

He says there's a lot of cold air coming in from the northwest. He says that system will be anchored in place as a strong low system comes up from the southwest.

Shontz says that will cause the moisture to overrun the very cold air and result in the heavy snow.

When asked if this is what he calls a perfect storm Alaska style, Shontz said, "I suppose so."

The Juneau Douglas High School Lady Bears basketball team hosts Sitka tonight and Saturday.




Flood of water results from water main break from Cope Park
There was a water main break in Cope Park Thursday morning.

We were contacted by listeners before ten a.m. including Henry James, the Salvation Army Thrift Store Manager on Willoughby Avenue.

He reported a flood of water coming down Capital Avenue that was rising in front of the Malaspina Apartments and the Salvation Army's Church.

James credited the snow berms for channeling the water flow.

Another man called from the Federal Building at about that time to report people were being asked to move their vehicles out of harm's way from water coming down 9th Street there.

City Manager Rod Swope and Public Works Director Joe Buck went out to survey the area. Swope called us to report they found a major, 12 inch water main line break in the park.

Swope described it as a "little river" flowing from there down Capital Avenue and on to Willoughby.

At its maximum, Buck says there was about a six inch deep stream of water.

Buck says they were notified at about 9:25. It took them about ten minutes to isolate it, and they had it shut off and contained within 20 minutes.

Buck figures the 50 year old cast iron pipe cracked as the frost line got down deep enough to put pressure on it.

Repairs are expected to take several days. The entrance to Cope Park will be closed during that time. And Buck says they'll look at replacing the line this summer.

Any loss of service would have been temporary. Buck says they were able to continue service to the area by back feeding water from the Mill Tunnel Reservoir system and from Salmon Creek.

Residents may notice discoloration, but Buck says the water remains safe to drink. He recommends running faucets until the water appears clear. He says that's best down in bathtubs so particulates won't clog up the screen in kitchen faucets.

He says they're keeping an eye on other old water lines. One is the one down Douglas Highway that feeds Douglas and the other comes down Egan Drive in the downtown area.




Windy winter weather disrupting ferry traffic
The weather is disrupting state ferry voyages and will do so for the balance of the week.

Roger Wetherell of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities says the LeConte had to turn around and come back to Juneau Thursday morning rather than proceed to Angoon.

He says the vessel encountered some strong winds to over 60 miles per hour just off of South Shelter Island and later to 70 miles per hour with gusts to over 90 between Point Retreat and Hump Island.

He says those winds created a very dangerous and heavy freezing sea spray.

The LeConte was safely moored back in Juneau at about 9:30. There was no damage and no injuries to passengers or crew.

The Marine Highway said yesterday it would suspend the voyages of the LeConte and Fairweather until the weather improves.

But we're told now that even though the weather is marginal, the LeConte is making its trip today to Hoonah and Tenakee.

[Xa'at]

The perfect storm is right.
I'll be honest, I've been through a lot. There was a tornado in Idaho while I was down there: knocked out the power for three days.
But this? This scares me.

[Metlakatla]

What's it doing there now, Xa'at? It's still very cold and clear here but POW is red on NOAA's website.

[tomcat6369]

OK so I am going back to Cabela's and getting more long-john's and extra waders, 2 pair of Tuff boots and stocking up my truck with dry goods when I come.

[Xa'at]

Same same, Metla.
Just looking out the window you would have no idea that a storm is coming.

[Metlakatla]

Guess I better get my care package out to my buds at work while I can before the planes stop flying.

I just spoke with the Prince of Wales...he's picking me up in Portland on March 2nd. I should have gone this time but I got all screwed up and didn't. Oh well--the spring flowers will be blooming then.

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

Guess I better get my care package out to my buds at work while I can before the planes stop flying.

I just spoke with the Prince of Wales...he's picking me up in Portland on March 2nd. I should have gone this time but I got all screwed up and didn't. Oh well--the spring flowers will be blooming then.

Spring flowers... that's nice. I could do with some spring flowers. Maybe a secret admirer will send me some for V-day!

[Rance]

You can see the cloud coming your way right now! Run for cover!
National Weather Service, Anchorage Forecast Office GOES Loop

[Metlakatla]

The wind is just now starting to pick up.