A tropical storm in the Pacific Ocean is expected to make a rare turn north this week, with the National Weather Service forecasting hurricane-force winds and heavy rain in Southeast Alaska by Friday.
According to The Washington Post, forecasters at the Central Pacific Hurricane Center say former Hurricane Oho is likely to reach Alaska as a "non-tropical cyclone," briefly strengthening before it dissipates.
"Should Oho actually cross into the northeastern Pacific basin as a tropical cyclone, this will be a rare occurrence, at least in the satellite era," CPHC forecasters wrote in a Wednesday discussion of Oho's possible movements.
A Wednesday statement from the National Weather Service's Alaska region headquarters told residents of Southeast to expect a "deep area of low pressure" from the storm moving into the area.
"As this occurs, storm force winds will be possible over the southern marine waters, as well as gusts in excess of 60 mph from Hydaburg to Ketchikan," forecasters wrote. "In addition, moderate to heavy rain is forecast to occur Thursday through Friday, which will cause soil to become saturated and increase the risk for mudslides as strong winds develop."
The National Weather Service's Juneau office posted a message on its website Thursday morning warning people to expect "remnants of Hurricane Oho" over the next few days.
"Most of the panhandle will see strong winds and heavy rain from this system," forecasters wrote. "The southern inner channels, outer coast and adjacent marine areas will see wind gusts in excess of hurricane force Friday morning."
Juneau-based NWS meteorologist Jonathan Garner said early Thursday that Oho is now almost certain to reach the Gulf of Alaska.
"It looks pretty definite at this point, as definite as we can possibly be -- all the guidance has it tracking across the northern Gulf," Garner said.
The system is expected to bring strong winds as far north as Juneau, as well as 2 inches to 4 inches of rain, to the region over the next 48 hours.
"We're expecting high wind gusts, over 60 miles per hour, for locations such as Ketchikan, Hydaburg and Sitka," Garner said. "In addition to that, we'll probably get some heavy rain today and into tomorrow."
Although Southeast saw coastal flooding watches during a Gulf of Alaska storm last week, Garner said a period of relatively dry weather since has left rivers, creeks and streams at lower levels ahead of the surges expected from Oho's rains.
"There will be rises, but we're not expecting a major flood," Garner said. "The systems are moving pretty fast, so there'll be this quick burst of rain and then the system will just pass through."