By Sentinel Staff
Gale force winds predicted for inside waters is resulting in the postponement of the Golden North Salmon Derby this weekend in Juneau.
“We can’t in good conscience have people go out when the conditions are as bad as forecast,” Golden North Salmon Derby co-chairman Doug Larsen told the Juneau Empire Thursday. “Hopefully, we can do it next weekend but we’ll have to check on logistics and things to make sure it’s possible.
The National Weather Service is predicting rough waters and winds of over 50 mph in Lynn Canal, Stephens Passage, Chatham Strait and Cross Sound. Derby historian Karleen Alstead Grummett said the last time the derby was postponed because of weather was in 1947.
Meteorologist Edward Liske, from NWS in Juneau, said Baranof Island will block most of the winds from hitting Sitka.
“I wouldn’t rule out valleys around Sitka,” Liske said. “You may have breezy conditions.”
There may be some bumpy flights between Juneau and Sitka, however, he said.
