A tree branch bears the weight of accumulated snow. Much of Southeast Alaska saw a foot or more of snow between Friday night and Saturday morning. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Schools keep an eye on the weather ahead of return from break

Winter weather could shutter schools Monday

Although Juneau’s Schools are poised to open Monday despite the COVID-19 surge, winter weather could thwart operational plans.

Earlier this week, National Weather Service meteorologist Greg Spaan said that “a possible major event” could be on the horizon for Juneau this weekend, dumping a fresh batch of snow over the panhandle, shortly after a major storm dumped close to 20 inches of snow in some parts of Juneau.

[New year delivers a cold, snowy week]

Kristin Bartlett, chief of staff for the Juneau School District said school officials will keep a careful eye on weather conditions over the weekend.

She said the decision to close schools is generally made at 5 a.m. by Superindent Bridget Weiss in consultation with City and Borough City Manager Rorie Watt, the First Student Bus company manager and officials at the National Weather Service office located in the Mendenhall Valley.

[Juneau’s first baby of the year is here!]

If officials make the decision to close, she said closure information will be posted by 6 a.m. on the district’s website, notifications will be sent to local media outlets and automated text messages, emails and calls will go to families.

Contact reporter Dana Zigmund at dana.zigmund@juneauempire.com or 907-308-4891.

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