From picturesque winter landscapes to snow sludge, Juneau’s weather is keeping people guessing. That means a walk on ice-covered lakes could turn into a swim.
“We have warmer (weather) coming in, it’s not safe enough to walk around anywhere,” Capital City Fire/Rescue Assistant Fire Chief Ed Quinto said. “The ice is very deceiving.”
Meteorologist Geri Swanson with the National Weather Service confirmed warmer days are ahead, saying freezing temperatures won’t come this way for at least the next week. New Year’s Day is expected to be the warmest with a high of 39 degrees and the low this week will be 33, Swanson said.
As to what that means for ice thickness or safety, Swanson couldn’t say. That isn’t regularly monitored by NWS and Quinto said there isn’t a government entity that gives the official OK for ice skaters. Common sense is everyone’s greatest tool, Quinto said.
“At least a few inches of ice, that’s what you want,” he said. “Make sure it’s not cracking, especially as it starts warming up.”
The safest thing to do is wait, Quinto said. A few weeks of continuous cold weather is best and even then, drilling part of the ice to check that several inches have formed is a good idea. Swanson said U.S. Forest Service officials are a source for those seeking information on ice thickness over time.
The Empire attempted to contact a U.S. Forest Service official but did no response was provided by close of business Tuesday.
Quinto said already this season a fall through the ice was reported. It was a dog, and although the owner was able to rescue his pet, Quinto said these situations are best handled by calling CCFR first.
“We have ropes and dry suits and other means to rescue,” Quinto said. “We would rather go out there and rescue your dog than have to rescue you and your dog.”
Unless someone is certified to help in emergencies, Quinto said he advises against it. Staying out of the water and instead calling for help is what any passersby should do. For the unfortunate faller, the first thing to do is stay calm, Quinto said. Then try pushing through the thin ice, if a hole can be made and it’s possible to get out, roll away from the danger, don’t stand up.
Some locations such as the Mendenhall Lake have wood ice rescue ladders available to use, if conditions allow for a second person to slide it to someone who has fallen in.
Even as the ice thickens over winter, Quinto said danger still lurks near the edge of the glacier, by Nugget Falls and near any shorelines where water moves. People should stay 100 yards from those areas, he said.
• Contact reporter Paula Ann Solis at 523-2272 or at paula.solis@juneauempire.com.
A wooden ice rescue ladder is kept at the edge of Twin Lakes on Tuesday. Warning signs posted at the edge of the lakes alert skaters that the ice is not monitored by the City and Borough of Juneau.
