UPDATE (Sat. 9:30 a.m.): 22-34" of snow possible in Juneau and vicinity by Monday morning

Forecast as of Saturday morning calls for 8" during day, 10" more tonight; overnight winds gusting to 45 mph; mixed rain and snow possible throughout next week

By Mark Sabbatini

Juneau Independent

This story has been updated to include a revised forecast as of about 6 a.m. Saturday.

Parts of Juneau may get nearly three feet of snow between Saturday and Monday morning — significantly more than previously forecast — as the effects of an atmospheric river are likely to be more severe and lengthy than anticipated, according to a revised forecast by the National Weather Service Juneau on Saturday morining.

"Confidence has increased for long duration, very heavy snow for the northern half of the panhandle," the NWS Juneau stated in a post Friday night on its Facebook page. "Juneau, Gustavus, Haines, and Skagway have all been extended 24+ hours to account for this increase in snow. With these snow totals, snow rates are likely to exceed one inch per hour for more than 12 hours."

A winter storm warning is in effect from 3 a.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. Monday — more than 24 hours longer than a warning issued Friday morning that was in effect until 3 a.m. Sunday. The warning states Juneau and Gustavus are expected to get 22 to 34 inches of snow, plus winds gusting to 45 miles per hour.

About eight inches of accumulation is forecast during the day on Saturday and 10 more inches Saturday night, according to the weather service.

Temperatures are expected to rise into the 30s on Sunday, creating the possibility of alternating periods of rain and snow, according to the NWS Juneau.

"The rain/snow line will reach the Juneau and Gustavus areas on Sunday with potential for pockets of freezing rain," the weather service notes. "Out the road in Juneau is likely to remain all snow throughout the event. A change back to all snow is likely Sunday night into Monday."

NWS Juneau is urging people "to prepare their property before the onset of winter weather," avoid travel unless urgent, and "keep an extra flashlight, food, and water with you in case of an emergency" if travel is necessary.

An additional warning about the risk of avalanches on Thane Road was issued Friday afternoon by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.

"There is potential for heavy snowfall, strong winds, and warming at higher elevations over the next several days (December 27 to 30, 2025)," DOT’s alert states. "These conditions may rapidly increase avalanche hazard above Thane Road and increase the likelihood of an avalanche reaching Thane Road."

Thane residents should prepare in advance for the possibility of extended road closures, according to DOT.

"DOT&PF reminds all travelers to obey posted warning signs. Do not stop or park in the avalanche zone. If Thane Road is blocked by avalanche debris, it is unlikely DOT&PF will be able to safely clear the road until conditions allow mitigation work or the hazard decreases naturally."

The City and Borough of Juneau posted preparation and safety reminders on its website Friday. Among the recommendations:

• Keep storm drains clear to help prevent minor floods 

• Check road safety of routes at 511.alaska.gov. People encountering fallen trees or other dangerous road conditions should call the Juneau Police Department’s non-emergency line at (907) 586-0600. Other concerns can be emailed to the CBJ Streets & Fleets division at streets@juneau.gov.  

• Check boats to prevent damage: CBJ Docks & Harbors requests that owners remove excess snow and check that lines, power cords, heaters, and bilge systems are secure and functioning properly before the storm to prevent emergencies during the storm. 

• Before cleaning snow from your home, residents should carefully consider the benefits and dangers. According to CBJ, "each individual building, building location, and part of building has slightly different conditions that may be totally different from its next-door neighbor. It is up to the individual property owner to decide their own course of action."

Rain is forecast late Monday and early Tuesday due to a rise in temperatures, after which colder weather is expected to return — along with the possibility of mixed snow and rain — through Friday, according NWS Juneau.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.