The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for the Juneau area as a powerful storm moves from the Bering Sea into the Gulf of Alaska today.
Hurricane-force winds were recorded at Adak and other Bering Sea locations on Saturday, but in Juneau, the biggest impact is expected to be a hefty load of snow.
Forecasters on Saturday afternoon were expecting 4-8 inches of snow in the Juneau area starting Sunday evening and continuing through Monday.
High temperatures Monday are expected to determine the impact of the storm. If highs broach the freezing mark, the snow will turn to heavy rain Monday afternoon. If not, snow accumulation could top even the 8-inch mark.
The storm’s effects — rain or snow — should be felt in Juneau through Tuesday evening.
Forecasters on Saturday said they are confident that Sunday evening and Monday will be wet, but they have mixed confidence in what type of precipitation will arrive.
Updated forecasts will be available later today, and the weather service may issue a winter storm warning if the storm develops as predicted.
Should the storm bring heavy rain or snow, it could be the final push Juneau needs to record its wettest year ever. As of 3 p.m. Saturday, the capital city had seen 83.62 inches of rain and melted snow in 2015. The all-time record is 85.15 inches, set in 1991.
