Trace snowfall hits Juneau, more expected Thursday evening

Trace snowfall hits Juneau, more expected Thursday evening

First snow flurries around city, 1-2 inches expected, but likely won’t stick.

The National Weather Service received its first reports of trace snow at sea level in Juneau Thursday.

Those are just flurries, said Meteorologist Pete Boyd, but a low-pressure system could bring around 1-2 inches Thursday evening. Forecasters aren’t expecting that snow to stick, Boyd said.

“What we’ve got for the forecast for tonight is still a mix of rain and snow for most areas for Juneau. We are not expecting any accumulation,” Boyd told the Empire on Thursday.

The NWS received reports of snow in the downtown area, in the Mendenhall Valley and Douglas on Thursday. Hail fell in Lemon Creek around 12:15 p.m.

The main band of precipitation associated with the low-pressure system is expected to hit Juneau around 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Boyd said.

“At this point, it’s just moving into the edge of the area,” Boyd told the Empire at about 12:45 p.m. Thursday. “That lasts through most of the night.”

Snowfall on Thursday would be about average for the first yearly snowfall. The NWS uses a weather station at the Juneau International Airport to compare snowfall dates, Boyd said, with the average first accumulation (above one-tenth of an inch) coming on Nov. 4.

The earliest the airport had ever recorded snowfall was Oct. 2. Early snowfall has been recorded at that date twice. In 2000, 2 inches fell at the airport. In 1974, 0.8 inches fell.

The latest in the year Juneau had experienced its first snowfall at the airport was Dec. 14, 2002, Boyd said.


• Contact reporter Kevin Gullufsen at 523-2228 and kgullufsen@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @KevinGullufsen.


More in News

(Juneau Empire File)
Aurora forecast for the week of Nov. 27

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

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File
Even the Grinch got into the holiday spirit at last year’s Gallery Walk on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.
An abundance of traditional and new ways to capitalize on this year’s Gallery Walk

More than 50 events scheduled Friday afternoon and evening from downtown to Douglas.

This view is from Wrangell on Sept. 11, 2022. (Photo by Joaqlin Estus/ICT)
Conservation group supports formation of new Alaska Native corporations

The conservation group the Wilderness Society has changed its position and now… Continue reading

From her hospital bed on Friday, Nov. 24, Christina Florschutz demonstrates how she pulled pajama bottoms that she found in the landslide debris over her legs, arms and head to keep warm. Her house was destroyed in the landslide, and after spending the night in the wreckage, she was rescued the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 21. (Caroleine James / Wrangell Sentinel)
Elementary school aide who survived Wrangell landslide calls circumstances a miracle

Christina Florschutz trapped overnight by landslide that killed at least 4 people, with 2 missing.

Lylah Habeger (left) and Jaila Ramirez lead the Konfeta Corps during a rehearsal of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” at Juneau Dance Theatre. The ballet will be performed in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.At.Kalé auditorium Friday through Sunday. (Photo courtesy of Juneau Dance Theatre)
‘Nutcracker’ tradition, with a twirl of new choreography

This year’s performances feature a cast of 93, ages 5 to 78

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023

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

Rain at the National Weather Service Juneau station on Nov. 11 doesn’t exist as snow until hits the upper portion of nearby Thunder Mountain. So far this November has been both warmer and wetter than normal. (Photo by National Weather Service Juneau)
El Niño playing outsize role in Juneau’s warmer temperatures, according to National Weather Service

Early peek at numbers shows Juneau is 4.9 degrees warmer than average this November.

An emergency rescue vehicle parks in front of the Riverview Senior Living center at midday Monday after resident Nathan Bishop, 58, was discovered in the attic about 40 hours after he was reported missing. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Nathan Bishop found alive in attic of Riverview Senior Living complex after 40-hour search

Family members say they remain supportive of facility’s locally available assisted living services.

Most Read