Weather

The Mendenhall River roars more than 13 feet above normal levels in August 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Suicide Basin predicted to fill by Aug. 8

The change in the prediction of when the basin will fill was based on heavy rain last week

 

Suicide Basin as of 10:01 a.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2025, taken by a U.S. Geological Survey camera at the basin entrance facing northeast, into the basin. (Screenshot from National Weather Service Juneau page)

Glacial lake outburst swells Salmon River near Hyder

The isolation of Salmon River limits the impact of flooding

 

Boats at Douglas Harbor under mostly clear skies on Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

80°F in Juneau will trigger first-ever National Weather Service heat advisories

Officials say sun’s angle in Alaska makes temperatures feel higher compared to other states.

 

Rain falls on a salmonberry bush on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

April showers bring May showers

Drier days forecasted after two unseasonably wet months, but potential drought concerns linger.

Rain falls on a salmonberry bush on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Chief Warrant Officer Jeffrey Ritter, 1st Lt. aboard Coast Guard Cutter Sycamore, supervises his crew after the launch of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association weather buoy near the Hinchinbrook Entrance to Prince William Sound in Alaska, Dec. 10, 2018. The buoy will record and transmit weather data. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by PA1 Nate Littlejohn)

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Chief Warrant Officer Jeffrey Ritter, 1st Lt. aboard Coast Guard Cutter Sycamore, supervises his crew after the launch of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association weather buoy near the Hinchinbrook Entrance to Prince William Sound in Alaska, Dec. 10, 2018. The buoy will record and transmit weather data. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by PA1 Nate Littlejohn)
A car on Gastineau Avenue is partially buried by a mudslide that occurred during record rainfall on Sunday, July 14, 2024. (Photo by Simba Blackman)

New July rainfall record set for Juneau with a week to go; Suicide Basin nears 2023 fill level

No more heavy storms expected this month, according to forecaster.

A car on Gastineau Avenue is partially buried by a mudslide that occurred during record rainfall on Sunday, July 14, 2024. (Photo by Simba Blackman)
Trees float down Mendenhall River on July 17, 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Suicide Basin fills from heavy rain, but expert says release of water does not appear imminent

Rate of rise increases to about 50 feet per week, but rain expected to slow

Trees float down Mendenhall River on July 17, 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
A classified “Operation Gift Force” chart warns people in Southeast Alaska about strong winds expected throughout much of the region on Christmas Eve. (National Weather Service Juneau)

Is Juneau going to have a white Christmas? No. (But expect a peak performance for the holiday)

Rain and wind forecast during Santa’s overnight visit, with both increasing in strength on Monday.

A classified “Operation Gift Force” chart warns people in Southeast Alaska about strong winds expected throughout much of the region on Christmas Eve. (National Weather Service Juneau)
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.

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)
Jordan Creek flows over a portion of a footbridge behind a shopping center Thursday evening. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Jordan Creek, Montana Creek and Auke Lake until 10 a.m. Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Flood warning for Jordan Creek, Montana Creek and Auke Lake issued until 10 a.m. Friday

Glacier Highway, structures near Jordan Creek may inundated, according to National Weather Service.

Jordan Creek flows over a portion of a footbridge behind a shopping center Thursday evening. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Jordan Creek, Montana Creek and Auke Lake until 10 a.m. Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This is a photo of a rockslide that occurred Thursday morning along Glacier Highway just beyond Tee Harbor. (Courtesy / Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

Multiday heavy rainstorms forecast in Juneau, flood warning issued

A rockfall along Glacier Highway was reported Thursday morning.

This is a photo of a rockslide that occurred Thursday morning along Glacier Highway just beyond Tee Harbor. (Courtesy / Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)
Children pick up sand dollars on Sandy Beach on July 3. The end of this week is expected to be ideal beach weather with near-record temperatures forecast in Juneau and elsewhere in Southeast Alaska. (Therese Pokorney / Juneau Empire File)

Heat wave expected Friday

Temperatures not expected to break Juneau’s all-time high of 90F set on July 7, 1975.

Children pick up sand dollars on Sandy Beach on July 3. The end of this week is expected to be ideal beach weather with near-record temperatures forecast in Juneau and elsewhere in Southeast Alaska. (Therese Pokorney / Juneau Empire File)
In this June 21 photo, meteorologist David Percy films the daily “Alaska Weather” program in a makeshift studio at the National Weather Service office in Anchorage. The “Alaska Weather” program she oversees, the only weather show produced by the National Weather Service, will have its last on-air broadcast Friday after Alaska Public Media dropped distribution, forcing it to YouTube. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

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In this June 21 photo, meteorologist David Percy films the daily “Alaska Weather” program in a makeshift studio at the National Weather Service office in Anchorage. The “Alaska Weather” program she oversees, the only weather show produced by the National Weather Service, will have its last on-air broadcast Friday after Alaska Public Media dropped distribution, forcing it to YouTube. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
This snow pile outside Thunder Mountain High School is expected grow. The National Weather Service in Juneau issued a winter weather advisory starting Wednesday morning and running through Thursday morning. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

NWS: Snow followed by heavy rain on the way

Roughly 2-5 inches of snow predicted.

This snow pile outside Thunder Mountain High School is expected grow. The National Weather Service in Juneau issued a winter weather advisory starting Wednesday morning and running through Thursday morning. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Snow blankets the landscape along the Montana Creek Trail Saturday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

14.3 inches of snow in Juneau sets new record

Total recorded over 24 hours at airport, breaks 1967 mark of 9 inches for Feb. 24.

Snow blankets the landscape along the Montana Creek Trail Saturday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire 
Fresh snow clings to pine trees in the Mendenhall Valley area Tuesday afternoon.

The worst of recent winter storm is over

Officials say on-and-off rain and snow are expected through the weekend

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire 
Fresh snow clings to pine trees in the Mendenhall Valley area Tuesday afternoon.
People walk to a cruise ship as it rains downtown in October, 2022. Juneau’s annual precipitation totaled 88.31 inches, breaking the previous annual rainfall record of 85.15 inches set in 1991 by more than 3 inches. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau tops annual rainfall record by more than 3 inches

It was the most rain recorded in Juneau since 1936

People walk to a cruise ship as it rains downtown in October, 2022. Juneau’s annual precipitation totaled 88.31 inches, breaking the previous annual rainfall record of 85.15 inches set in 1991 by more than 3 inches. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Snow blankets a statue in front of the Alaska State Capitol. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

A white Christmas is in Juneau’s forecast

Winter storm warning issued through the holiday.

Snow blankets a statue in front of the Alaska State Capitol. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
A seal pokes its head above the icy and waters at Don D. Statter Harbor on Sunday. National Weather Service Juneau sent out a special weather statement Sunday afternoon warning residents of Arctic air heading through the panhandle. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Cold temps and high winds expected to last throughout the week

Officials say check water pipes, boats throughout week

A seal pokes its head above the icy and waters at Don D. Statter Harbor on Sunday. National Weather Service Juneau sent out a special weather statement Sunday afternoon warning residents of Arctic air heading through the panhandle. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A snow plow pulls off of Glacier Highway to clear the sidewalks near a bus stop during heavy snow fall on Monday morning. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
A snow plow pulls off of Glacier Highway to clear the sidewalks near a bus stop during heavy snow fall on Monday morning. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)