Weather

Clearing skies appeared over the Gastineau Channel late in the afternoon on Tuesday, Dec. 21, after a quick-moving snowstorm dumped up to 11 inches of snow across the City and Borough of Juneau. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

Heavy snow means white Christmas in Juneau

Cold temperatures on the way

Clearing skies appeared over the Gastineau Channel late in the afternoon on Tuesday, Dec. 21, after a quick-moving snowstorm dumped up to 11 inches of snow across the City and Borough of Juneau. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
Heavy snow and rain fell on Juneau’s Aurora Harbor on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, creating potentially hazardous conditions. City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors officials asked boat owners to keep a careful eye on their vessels as heavy snow and rain is expected through the week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

More rain, snow and overnight ice expected

Drive/Boat safe.

Heavy snow and rain fell on Juneau’s Aurora Harbor on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, creating potentially hazardous conditions. City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors officials asked boat owners to keep a careful eye on their vessels as heavy snow and rain is expected through the week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The season’s first snow greeted people downtown Wednesday, Nov. 10. Later that morning, forecasters at the National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory, predicting that two to four inches of snow could fall on the capital city starting late Thursday night and into Friday morning. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire)

Low-pressure system likely to bring snow to Juneau

That escalated quickly.

The season’s first snow greeted people downtown Wednesday, Nov. 10. Later that morning, forecasters at the National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory, predicting that two to four inches of snow could fall on the capital city starting late Thursday night and into Friday morning. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire)
A brisk wind blows leaves into the water near Eagle Beach State Recreation area on Friday, Oct. 22. The falling leaves are one sign that winter is coming to Southeast Alaska. On Thursday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center released its winter outlook and predicted a second winter with a La Nina climate. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

A La Nina winter is coming

La Nina could mean colder-than-normal temps

A brisk wind blows leaves into the water near Eagle Beach State Recreation area on Friday, Oct. 22. The falling leaves are one sign that winter is coming to Southeast Alaska. On Thursday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center released its winter outlook and predicted a second winter with a La Nina climate. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Water rushes down Gold Creek on Aug. 13, 2021. Juneau residents can expect heavy rain and strong winds beginning Friday. Forecasters expect the strongest winds late Friday night. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire)

A hard rain’s a-gonna fall: National Weather Service predicts heavy rain and wind

Forecasters suggest securing lawn furniture, loose items

Water rushes down Gold Creek on Aug. 13, 2021. Juneau residents can expect heavy rain and strong winds beginning Friday. Forecasters expect the strongest winds late Friday night. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire)
After the second-wettest summer on record last year, Juneau is seeing more typical summer weather according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures in downtown Juneau hadn't reached 70 degrees yet the morning of Saturday, July 31, 2021, but they would get there before the end of the day. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

After rainy 2020, Juneau sees more typical summer weather

What a difference a year makes.

After the second-wettest summer on record last year, Juneau is seeing more typical summer weather according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures in downtown Juneau hadn't reached 70 degrees yet the morning of Saturday, July 31, 2021, but they would get there before the end of the day. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Fresh rainwater sits on top of the ice at Auke Lake in Jeanueary 2019. Although June is typically considered a relatively dry month in the capital city, the National Weather Service is predicting heavy rain starting Wednesday evening and through the weekend. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Multi-day rain event expected for Juneau

Expect 1-3 inches of rain

Fresh rainwater sits on top of the ice at Auke Lake in Jeanueary 2019. Although June is typically considered a relatively dry month in the capital city, the National Weather Service is predicting heavy rain starting Wednesday evening and through the weekend. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Snowfall in Juneau is expected to largely taper off this weekend, replaced by warmer temperatures, said National Weather Service meteorologists. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

More snow may be coming, but the end may be in sight

Many have begged fruitlessly to the uncaring gods for the arrival of spring in the Southeast.

Snowfall in Juneau is expected to largely taper off this weekend, replaced by warmer temperatures, said National Weather Service meteorologists. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
People play on the frozen Twin Lakes on Saturday, Feb. 6. A high pressure system in Canada is sending temperatures through the floor for the next week, according to the National Weather Service. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Cool under pressure: High pressure system torpedoes temperatures

What’s cooler than being cool? Ice cold.

People play on the frozen Twin Lakes on Saturday, Feb. 6. A high pressure system in Canada is sending temperatures through the floor for the next week, according to the National Weather Service. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A pair of ravens cast a wary eye about on the downtown waterfront as snow falls across Juneau on Feb. 3, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Heavy snow precedes a sunny end to the week

But forecasters expect a snowy weekend.

A pair of ravens cast a wary eye about on the downtown waterfront as snow falls across Juneau on Feb. 3, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A bird flies by on the sort of gray day typical of December 2020 in Juneau. While there was persistent precipitation this year, Juneau is poised to fall several inches short of the record. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Despite rainy year, a new precipitation record is unlikely in 2020

More rain and snow expected this week

A bird flies by on the sort of gray day typical of December 2020 in Juneau. While there was persistent precipitation this year, Juneau is poised to fall several inches short of the record. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Juneauites were out and about in the snow on 2nd Street in Douglas Wednesday, but the National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for another storm Thursday morning which could bring up to two feet of snow in two days. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

National Weather Service warns 2 feet of snow possible by weekend

Check your boats.

Juneauites were out and about in the snow on 2nd Street in Douglas Wednesday, but the National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for another storm Thursday morning which could bring up to two feet of snow in two days. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Alex Weiss, 9, sleds down a hill at Twin Lakes Friday, Nov. 20. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

It’s snow time: Do you know how to stay safe in wintry weather?

Take our quiz and read expert advice.

Alex Weiss, 9, sleds down a hill at Twin Lakes Friday, Nov. 20. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A City and Borough of Juneau worker clears the road in a downtown neighborhood on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Expect heavy snow and icy roads on Veterans Day

Drive safe.

A City and Borough of Juneau worker clears the road in a downtown neighborhood on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau saw its first sea-level snow for the winter of 2020 with 1/10 of an inch falling in the Mendenhall Valley on Oct. 19, 2020. (Courtesy photo / Jeana Varney)

The iceman cometh: Juneau sees first sea-level snow

It’s early this year, but not the record earliest.

Juneau saw its first sea-level snow for the winter of 2020 with 1/10 of an inch falling in the Mendenhall Valley on Oct. 19, 2020. (Courtesy photo / Jeana Varney)
A kiteboarder practices their hobby in spite of dreary weather as Juneau’s third wettest summer on record comes to a damp end, Sept. 3, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Rainfall-ing short: Juneau’s summer 1 inch shy of record

Juneau “enjoys” third wettest summer on record

A kiteboarder practices their hobby in spite of dreary weather as Juneau’s third wettest summer on record comes to a damp end, Sept. 3, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Juneau on track to break summer rainfall records

Juneau on track to break summer rainfall records

This week should be nice, though.

Juneau on track to break summer rainfall records
Cold, clear weather is expected for Juneau for the next several days, according to the National Weather Service, on March 11, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Eaglecrest hits 50-day streak of snow days

Eaglecrest Ski Area hit its 50th day of snow on Sunday in a row days before a spell of cold, clear weather. “I can’t believe… Continue reading

Cold, clear weather is expected for Juneau for the next several days, according to the National Weather Service, on March 11, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Cars drive past Harris Harbor on Jan. 22, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Sloppy weather makes for dangerous driving

Take your time as you drive and save yourself an accident.

Cars drive past Harris Harbor on Jan. 22, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
A man shovels snow near the state capitol as rising temperatures turn the roads to slush, Jan. 22, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Juneau in for warm, slushy week

The bitter cold is gone for now.

A man shovels snow near the state capitol as rising temperatures turn the roads to slush, Jan. 22, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)