Juneau Confronts Avalanche, Flooding and Structural Risks as Rain Falls on Record Snowpack
A city under a heavy snow burden meets a new threat: rain
Juneau, Alaska, began the new year carrying an unusually deep snowpack from a historic late-December storm cycle. As residents and crews worked to dig out, a new complication arrived: rain falling on top of that deep snow. The shift from snow to rain is not simply a change in precipitation type. In a rain-on-snow pattern, conditions can evolve quickly, raising the likelihood of avalanches, increasing the risk of flooding, and adding dangerous weight to roofs and other structures.
Officials have urged residents to take precautions while public works teams and volunteers continue snow removal and prepare for meltwater and runoff. The situation has already led to closures and emergency declarations, reflecting both the scale of the snowfall and the risks that come when rain saturates an already heavy snowpack.
Back-to-back storms left more than 30 inches on the ground
In the days leading up to the rain, Juneau had been racing to recover from another round of heavy snow. More than 30 inches was already on the ground after back-to-back storms. Across the community, workers and volunteers were engaged in the labor-intensive tasks that follow extreme snowfall: shoveling rooftops, digging out vehicles, addressing sunken boats, and hauling out truckloads of snow.
Even with sustained effort, the city has faced a basic logistical constraint: it has been running out of places to put the snow. When accumulation arrives in rapid succession, snow removal becomes more than a matter of clearing roads. Storage space fills, access points narrow, and each additional storm compounds the challenge of keeping streets, sidewalks, and critical facilities functional.
Avalanche concerns sharpened by two small slides after an advisory
As the weather pattern shifted, avalanche concerns became a central part of Juneau’s risk picture. Two small avalanches were triggered above Juneau on Friday, roughly an hour after officials issued an evacuation advisory. No injuries were reported.
At a news conference later that day, officials described the small slides as a net good for the community because they reduced the danger of potentially larger avalanches to come. The timing, however, underscored how sensitive the snowpack can be during periods of changing weather. When rain or melting affects stability, slopes that have held for days can change rapidly, making public warnings and adherence to advisories especially important.
Officials’ comments suggested that releasing some unstable snow could help reduce the likelihood of a larger, more dangerous event later, particularly as conditions continue to shift. While the slides were characterized as small, they served as a reminder that the hazard is dynamic and can evolve quickly in a rain-on-snow scenario.
Closures and travel guidance reflect the scale of the hazard
The combined impacts of snow, rain, and unstable conditions have disrupted daily life across Juneau. Schools and city buildings were closed Friday, reflecting both the hazards posed by the weather and the need to keep roads and facilities clear while crews work.
Officials also encouraged residents to stay off the roads as crews prepared for melting snow and rain. With snow removal ongoing and additional precipitation expected, reducing travel can lower the risk of accidents and keep routes open for emergency response and public works operations. It also helps crews focus on clearing and mitigation work without the added complications of heavy traffic during hazardous conditions.
Flood watches across the Alaska Panhandle as rain becomes a runoff problem
Flood watches were in effect across the Alaska Panhandle into Saturday night. The National Weather Service said heavy rain was possible. Rain falling on a deep snowpack can rapidly change ground conditions, particularly when storm drains and drainage routes are blocked by snow and ice.
Juneau has already seen signs of flooding as melting snow begins moving into streets and low-lying areas. In a social media post, the city shared video showing a bus navigating through a flooded street. The early flooding illustrates a key challenge during warm, wet periods following heavy snow: runoff can accumulate quickly, especially when water has limited pathways to move away from roads and properties.
When rain arrives on top of deep snow, the risk is not limited to the volume of rainfall alone. The snowpack itself can contribute to the amount of water moving through the system as it begins to melt. If drainage systems are obstructed, water can pool in places that are normally passable, creating hazards for drivers and pedestrians and complicating ongoing snow removal efforts.
Snow storage runs short, prompting extraordinary disposal measures
One of the most practical problems Juneau has faced is where to put the snow. With limited space to pile it, some snow was being shoved off piers and ports into the Gastineau Channel after Alaska’s Department of Energy gave special authorization for clean, freshly fallen snow to be dumped in open water.
The authorization highlights the extraordinary volume of accumulation and the reality that, during extreme events, snow removal becomes a citywide logistics operation. Clearing streets and access points is only part of the work; the snow must also be moved and stored somewhere. When storage areas fill and storms continue, officials may need to consider unusual approaches to keep critical areas functioning.
Emergency declarations signal cumulative impacts and ongoing risk
The severity of the conditions prompted official emergency actions. Gov. Mike Dunleavy declared a state disaster Wednesday, one day after Juneau officials announced an emergency disaster declaration and requested state assistance.
These declarations reflect the cumulative impacts of the storms and the ongoing risks posed by the weather pattern. They also indicate that local resources may need reinforcement as the community manages snow removal, potential flooding, and avalanche concerns all at once.
Record December snowfall set the stage for today’s rain-on-snow risks
The current challenges follow record snow in Juneau during Christmas and into the New Year. December was the second snowiest month on record in Juneau, with records dating back to 1948.
Juneau picked up 82 inches of snowfall—almost 7 feet—with more than half of it falling in just five days from Dec. 27 to Dec. 31. The amount was described as almost an entire year’s worth of snow compressed into less than a week. On New Year’s Eve, 50 inches of snow at the airport set an all-time snow depth record.
The intensity had immediate consequences. The crushing weight sank boats and caused roofs to cave in on multiple homes and buildings. Those impacts are now part of the context for the next phase of the event: rain arriving while the snowpack remains deep and heavy.
Why rain on snow increases roof-collapse risk
With deep snow still in place, a soaking rain adds a new layer of risk. Senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman explained that rain falling on top of the snowpack makes it significantly heavier. That added weight is expected to increase the likelihood of more roof collapses over the next few days, especially on flat roofs.
This concern builds on damage already seen during the late-December storms, when the weight of snow contributed to roofs caving in. Rain can soak into existing snow, increasing density and load even if the snow depth does not appear to increase dramatically. For buildings already stressed by heavy accumulation, additional weight can be critical.
Clearing storm drains becomes a frontline flood-prevention step
As runoff becomes a growing concern, city officials released maps of storm drains and encouraged residents to help clear them to prevent flooding. Keeping storm drains open can help water move away from streets and properties as snow melts and rain falls.
The message reflects a practical reality during heavy winter weather: even when municipal crews are working continuously, the scale of the problem can exceed what public resources can address immediately. Clearing drainage routes—where safe to do so—can reduce localized flooding and help keep roads passable as conditions change.
What officials are prioritizing as conditions evolve
Juneau’s situation is being shaped by several interacting factors: a deep snowpack from back-to-back storms, limited space for snow storage, the onset of melting and runoff, and the prospect of heavy rain. These conditions have already led to closures, emergency declarations, and active public messaging about safety.
As the rain arrives, the city’s immediate priorities remain focused on reducing avalanche risk where possible, preventing flooding by keeping drainage routes open, and addressing the structural dangers associated with heavier snow loads. The small avalanches triggered after the evacuation advisory occurred without injuries, but they serve as a reminder that conditions can change quickly in a rain-on-snow pattern.
Key developments in Juneau’s ongoing response
Deep snow totals following a historic late-December stretch, including 82 inches in December and a record 50-inch snow depth at the airport on New Year’s Eve.
Ongoing snow removal efforts involving workers and volunteers clearing rooftops, digging out vehicles, and hauling snow as storage space becomes scarce.
Flood watches across the Alaska Panhandle into Saturday night, with heavy rain possible and early flooding already observed on city streets.
Avalanche concerns highlighted by two small slides above Juneau after an evacuation advisory, with officials noting the slides reduced the risk of larger avalanches.
Increased roof-collapse risk as rain adds weight to existing snowpack, particularly on flat roofs.
A community balancing immediate safety with a longer cleanup
Juneau’s response has combined immediate safety steps with longer-term cleanup. The community has worked to remove snow from roofs and public areas, while officials have issued advisories, supported closures, and encouraged residents to help clear storm drains. The special authorization to dump clean snow into open water reflects the extraordinary volume of accumulation and the need to keep critical areas functioning.
With flood watches in effect and rain expected to intensify the load on the snowpack, the city’s focus remains on reducing preventable risks—keeping drainage systems open, limiting travel during hazardous periods, and continuing snow removal where possible. The coming days will test how well the community can manage runoff, avoid additional structural damage, and respond to any further avalanche activity.