Rain-snow mix expected Monday

Juneau’s first snowfall of the season may come almost right on schedule.

National Weather Service forecasters here expect sunny and cool conditions to continue through Monday, when a low-pressure system moving through the Gulf of Alaska will bring a mix of rain and snow to the panhandle. Forecasters believe the best chance for snow will come on the outer coast of the northern panhandle, with inner channels (including Juneau) getting more rain. Air temperatures will determine whether the storm arrives as snow or rain in Juneau, and computer models currently differ.

After the storm passes over the capital city on Monday, the next chance for rain or snow may not come until late next week. Temperatures are expected to be at or near freezing, with sunny skies, through Wednesday. High winds may develop today and Saturday, particularly in the coast-range passes.

Some Empire readers reported seeing snowflakes in the Mendenhall Valley on Wednesday night and Thursday, but forecasters here said that snow likely was blown from nearby mountaintops because there was little moisture in the air.

On average, Juneau’s first snowfall doesn’t come until Nov. 4, as measured at the airport, where the Weather Service has recorded precipitation since 1936. That’s the first trace: the city’s first inch of snow averages Nov. 10.

The city’s earliest snowfall was Oct. 2, 2000, and its latest first snowfall was Dec. 14, 2002. Last year, six-tenths of an inch of snow fell on Oct. 15. It was the first time since 1940 that Juneau had snow before Fairbanks or Anchorage.


• Contact reporter James Brooks at james.k.brooks@juneauempire.com or call 523-2258.


More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 1

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

President Donald Trump speaks to a capacity crowd at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage on July 9, 2022. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Here’s what Trump, after 20 days of his second term, has done so far specifically affecting Alaska

Nixing rules that limit oil drilling, renaming Mt. McKinley, shaking up U.S. Coast Guard among actions.

President Donald Trump walks away from the podium after speaking about a plane crash at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport during a news conference at the White House in Washington, on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. President Trumpճ remarks, suggesting that diversity in hiring and other Biden administration policies somehow caused the disaster, reflected his instinct to immediately frame major events through his political or ideological lens. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
All of the Trump administration’s major moves in the first 20 days

The New York Times is tracking the actions of President Donald Trump… Continue reading

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears boys basketball team pose outside Kodiak High School during their sweep over the Bears this weekend. (Photo courtesy JDHS)
JDHS boys topple Kodiak on the road

Crimson Bears sweep island Bears in two-game series.

Aaron Surma, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Juneau and the Juneau Suicide Prevention Council, gives a solo testimony to the Juneau Board of Education on Feb. 6, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
On top of a flat-funded BSA, Juneau Board of Education considers loss of local funding and grants

Principals and mental health advocate give feedback as the Juneau School District plans FY26 budget.

Cars arrive at Juneau International Airport on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau’s airport asking long-ago manager Dave Palmer to return temporarily amidst leadership changes

Palmer would return in April as longtime manager retires; Assembly removes two airport board members.

Pittman’s Pub, which has a bar tent located next to the Hooter chairlift and Fish Creek Lodge, will not open this season, its co-owners told Eaglecrest Ski Area’s board of directors Thursday. Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
Pittman’s Pub owners say they won’t open at Eaglecrest this year due to cost, space difficulties

Couple says they would like to take over ski area’s restaurant, continue as a year-round operation.

The Alaska Senate unanimously approves a bill Friday rejecting a recommendation to adjust lawmakers’ salaries for inflation. (Official Alaska State Legislature livestream)
Alaska Senate unanimously rejects automatic salary hikes for top state officials

Commission recommendation for adjustments matching inflation takes effect unless lawmakers say no.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Most Read