This is a developing story.
A new snowfall record for January in Juneau appears to have been set with a storm that arrived Wednesday afternoon, which as of 6 a.m. Thursday had resulted in 10.2 inches of accumulation at the National Weather Service Juneau station, and yet another remote learning day for the Juneau School District and delayed opening for municipal offices, according to officials.
“From what we can tell, the record has been broken with a total of 76.8” of snow at the airport,” a message posted at the NWS Juneau Facebook on Thursday morning stated. “Old record was 75.2. These numbers will be reviewed over the next few days by our climate records team to be sure.”
The previous record was set in 2009.
A winter storm warning is in effect until 3 p.m., resulting in the school district announcing its buildings will be closed to in-person activities during the day “due to heavy snow and icy conditions on streets and sidewalks in the Juneau area.”
“For the safety of our families and staff — in person classes, RALLY, and after school activities have been canceled,” the announcement states. “Snow is expected to taper off this afternoon, so at this time the Board of Education Public Forum on the Budget is still scheduled to take place (at) 5:30 p.m.”
The forecast is for a chance of snow, with highs around 30 and lows of about 20, through next Monday.
The budget meeting at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School Library, allowing the public to provide input about the district’s financial crisis and possible solutions, is also being streamed on Zoom.
The City and Borough of Juneau is scheduled to open most of its offices at 11 a.m., according to an announcement at the CBJ website.
“Treadwell Arena will open at 12:15 PM, the Dimond Park Aquatic Center will close at 8 AM and re-open at 11 AM, and Preschool Open Gym at Mt. Jumbo is closed,” the announcement states.
Warnings to vessel owners to clear snow to prevent sinking or other damage were published Wednesday by Juneau Harbors and the U.S. Coast Guard. At least nine boats sank during 12 days of storms that occurred starting in mid-January.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.
