This is a developing story.
Update 10 a.m. Monday: City and state offices and facilities are closed Monday and an advisory for people to stay off the roads unless necessary was issued by Capital City Fire/Rescue Monday morning due to a heavy weekend snowstorm.
“CBJ asks that residents leave roadways clear for snowplow crews and emergency services to the extent possible,” a bulletin issued by the City and Borough of Juneau at about 8:45 a.m Monday states. “Scheduled CBJ Assembly meetings will take place virtually.”
The state of Alaska also announced midmorning that its offices will be closed all day and the Juneau School District has declared Monday a remote learning day.
”Juneau School District school buildings will be closed on Monday, December 2, due to heavy snow in the Juneau area and the potential for additional accumulation overnight,” an announcement published by the district at about 6:30 p.m. Sunday notes. “For the safety of our families and staff, in-person classes, RALLY, in-person meetings, and after-school activities are canceled for tomorrow.”
“Classes will still take place via remote learning,” the announcement adds. “Remote instruction information is available on the district website” at www.juneauschools.org.
The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska announced its employees will be working remotely today.
CCFR, in a statement at its Facebook page on Monday morning, noted emergency response times were expected to be long because “our top speed this morning is about 25 mph on the main roads.”
“There is heavy snow with freezing rain,” the warning notes. “Expect huge delays this morning.”
The storm dumped 12 to 18 inches of snow on most parts of Juneau between Saturday night and Monday morning, with several more inches of snow forecast by 6 p.m. Monday by the National Weather Service Juneau.
The length of the storm warning was extended by nine hours, to noon instead of 3 a.m. Monday, on Sunday evening by NWS Juneau. At 9 p.m. an update noted “we are seeing sleet in the back of the Mendenhall Valley. If this continues, the the snow totals through the morning could be slightly lower, but expect the snow quality to continue to change.”
The precipitation is expected to change to rain as temperatures increase during the day, according to the weather service. The extended forecast for Juneau is rain throughout the week with temperatures hovering around 40 degrees.
Juneau Harbors posted a notice on its Facebook page at about 3:15 p.m. Sunday urging boat owners to check their vessels.
“With more snow in the forecast before temperatures rise and turn to rain, please take a moment to check on your boat at the harbor,” the notice states. “While harbor staff is doing their best to keep the docks clear and accessible, it’s important to ensure your boat is properly secured and prepared for the weather ahead.”
The storm is the second major snowfall during the past week, following a storm between Monday and Wednesday that resulted in more than a foot of snow in some areas. High winds also were reported in exposed parts of the region.
The harsh conditions complicated search efforts for a missing fishing vessel that reportedly capsized with five people aboard southwest of Juneau in Icy Strait just after midnight Sunday. The U.S. Coast Guard, in a press release, noted there was heavy snow, winds up to 60 miles per hour and six-foot seas in the area where the distress call was received.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.
