With a vengeance: Juneau due for winter storm
Published 9:40 am Monday, January 6, 2020
A run of unseasonably warm weather will come to an abrupt end Monday, with as much as 10 inches of snow expected in Juneau.
“We’ve got a winter storm warning that starts around noon today,” said Daniel Hartsock, a meteorologist in Juneau with the National Weather Service. “We’re expecting about 6-10 inches through early tomorrow morning.”
[Kayaker reported missing near Sitka]
Snow is expected to fall beginning at roughly noon, with a small flurry followed by a break. Snow will begin falling in earnest at around 3 p.m., Hartsock said, continuing steadily until early Tuesday.
“We’re gonna have another few snowstorms, probably not as intense, over the next few days,” Hartsock said in a phone interview. “We’re gonna see some clearing skies later this week and into the weekend, but it’s also going to be some colder temperatures.”
A system in the northern Gulf of Alaska and moisture from down south are responsible for the storm, which is also expected to strike Gustavus, Elfin Cove and Pelican.
“This is more of a normal system that we expect to see this time of year,” Hartsock said. “December was very atypical; it was very warm.”
Be safe on the roads
Heavy snow is expected to begin falling before the evening commute, Hartsock said. Extra caution is recommended while driving.
• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.
