Avalanche advisory issued by CBJ, Thane Road closes overnight due to heavy snowstorm
- Mark Sabbatini
- Mar 3
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 3
No evacuation advisory yet, city says; up to 13" of accumulation, winds up to 40 mph forecast between midday Tuesday and noon Wednesday, according to National Weather Service
By Mark Sabbatini
Juneau Independent
This is a developing story.
An avalanche advisory — but not a recommendation people evacuate at-risk areas — was issued Tuesday evening by the City and Borough of Juneau due to heavy snowfall expected to continue through midday Wednesday.
The advisory puts Juneau in the "set" range of the three-tier "ready, set, go" warning system, according to a bulletin posted at about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
"This is not an evacuation advisory, however, CBJ is closely monitoring the hazard and will send out an emergency alert if conditions change significantly," the bulletin states. "While in ‘Set,’ residents should know their risk, have go-bag ready, and prepare household evacuation plans in case conditions change."
Thane Road was closed at the avalanche gates just south of downtown at 6 p.m. "due to high avalanche hazard to the roadway," according to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. Conditions will be reassessed at 6 a.m. Wednesday.
Between 10 to 13 inches of snow, with winds gusting to 40 miles per hour, is expected by noon Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service Juneau, which issued a winter storm warning at noon Tuesday.
"Heaviest snowfall rates are expected Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning, with snowfall rates of an inch an hour possible," the warning notes. "Gusty winds around downtown Juneau and Douglas could cause some areas of blowing snow."
Juneau has already experienced heavy snowfall during the past few days, including a record 9.6 inches on Saturday.
The City and Borough of Juneau announced many of its facilities are closing early Tuesday, beginning with the Dimond Park Fieldhouse that closed at 1 p.m. The Dimond Park Aquatic Center and Augustus Brown Pool will close at 4 p.m., Juneau Public Libraries and Treadwell Arena at 5 p.m., and the Zach Gordon Youth Center at 6 p.m. Other recreational and after-school activities have also been cancelled.
The University of Alaska Southeast announced its campus is closing at 5 p.m. The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska closed its offices at noon.
"Online and hybrid classes should continue in their remote format," UAS announced. "Classes held in person, but can pivot to an online format for the evening, should do so at the discretion of the faculty members."
The Weather Service forecast calls for about two to four inches of snow Tuesday afternoon, four inches Tuesday night and three inches during the day Wednesday. The extended forecast calls for mixed rain and snow continuing at least through Monday.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.
