The National Weather Service office in Juno is warning of significant winter weather Tuesday afternoon, bringing heavy snow earlier and rain later in the week.
A cold-storm warning is in effect till 3 am on Thursday. The heaviest snowfall is likely on Tuesday evening.
Up to 5 inches of snow is expected on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. The snow could turn into freezing rain Wednesday afternoon, but snow is not expected to be a major problem.
Winter Storm Warnings & Advisories are in effect for portions of SE starting Tuesday afternoon. Greatest snowfall expected from Yakutat to Icy Strait/Juneau Tues night. #akwx Sitka & Angoon will see some accumulating snow before a change to rain, but below advisory criteria. pic.twitter.com/X3facbt5bC
— NWS Juneau (@NWSJuneau) February 1, 2022
Wes Adkins of the National Weather Service says it snowed again on Thursday.
"It's a change," Adkins said at a briefing on Tuesday afternoon. “Initially we were seeing all the rain, but now we are seeing cool breeze all around. So it's going to start out as heavy wet snow. And I have insisted on 'heavy' because it is going to be heavy in weight too."
And then, the rain comes.
"It's going to fall on this heavy wet mess and make a mess of it even more," Adkins said. "And it will be difficult to manage on the roads"
Extended forecast showing rain during the weekend.
The avalanche risk for the urban areas around Juno is currently low, but with the forecast for rain and snow, the city's emergency manager expects the avalanche risk to increase. Natural avalanches are possible from Wednesday to Friday.