This is a developing story.
A remote learning day has been declared for Monday by the Juneau School District and the opening of municipal government facilities has been delayed until 11 a.m. due to a weekend storm expected to dump 12 to 18 inches of snow on most parts of Juneau between Saturday night and Monday morning.
”Juneau School District school buildings will be closed on Monday, December 2, due to heavy snow in the Juneau area and the potential for additional accumulation overnight,” an announcement published by the district at about 6:30 p.m. Sunday notes. “For the safety of our families and staff, in-person classes, RALLY, in-person meetings, and after-school activities are canceled for tomorrow.”
“Classes will still take place via remote learning,” the announcement adds. “Remote instruction information is available on the district website” at www.juneauschools.org.
The revised opening time for municipal offices and facilities is “dependent on road conditions in the morning, ” according to the statement published Sunday afternoon on the City and Borough of Juneau’s Facebook page.
A winter storm warning is in effect for Juneau until 3 a.m., according to the National Weather Service Juneau. While snowfall totals up to 18 inches are forecast in most areas, higher amounts are forecast in some areas.
“A transition to rain began early today over the southern Panhandle with the rain-snow line slowly moving north throughout the night tonight,” a weather forecast for the Southeast Alaska region updated at about 3 p.m. Sunday notes. “Brief periods of freezing rain may occur as surface temperatures struggle to warm during the transition.”
The precipitation is expected to change to rain after 3 a.m. in some warmer parts of Juneau, according to the weather service. The extended forecast for Juneau is rain throughout the week with temperatures hovering around 40 degrees.
Travel advisories were issued by officials during the weekend and Juneau Harbors posted a notice on its Facebook page at about 3:15 p.m. Sunday urging boat owners to check their vessels.
“With more snow in the forecast before temperatures rise and turn to rain, please take a moment to check on your boat at the harbor,” the notice states. “While harbor staff is doing their best to keep the docks clear and accessible, it’s important to ensure your boat is properly secured and prepared for the weather ahead.”
The storm is the second major snowfall during the past week, following a storm between Monday and Wednesday that resulted in more than a foot of snow in some areas. High winds also were reported in exposed parts of the region.
The harsh conditions complicated search efforts for a missing fishing vessel that reportedly capsized with five people aboard southwest of Juneau in Icy Strait just after midnight Sunday. The U.S. Coast Guard, in a press release, noted there was heavy snow, winds up to 60 miles per hour and six-foot seas in the area where the distress call was received.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.
