Breaking: Southeast Alaska Endures Historic Snowfall as Cold Returns
Central Southeast Alaska is enduring a historic winter event as heavy snow blankets the region. Petersburg has surpassed 40 inches of new snow as Monday, December 8, a figure that already outpaces the town’s total for last winter.
On Sunday, December 14, Petersburg logged 16 inches, setting a daily record for the date and marking a second local record in the same week. Nearby towns also reported dramatic totals; Wrangell received about nine inches, while Kake faced a night of heavy accumulation that exceeded a foot in some areas.
Monday added more snowfall to the mix, with Petersburg recording 2.5 inches. Local officials note that the town’s typical daily snowfall is around half an inch, underscoring the exceptional pattern unfolding across the panhandle.
Impact in Petersburg included a snow day for the school district on monday, December 15, and the temporary closure of several small businesses. Borough offices shut for the day,though essential services such as public works,police,and emergency response stayed in operation. The Petersburg Borough Assembly meeting was postponed to January 5, and a regional community listening session was canceled.
The snowy band shifted north over the weekend, bringing more accumulation to Juneau.The capital reported several inches of fresh snow and then added to that total on Monday, capturing a daily record for December 15 with 9.2 inches. The previous record for that date stood at 8.7 inches.
Looking ahead, forecasters expect the heavy snow to ease in the panhandle, though residual showers could persist for northern prince of Wales Island and Kupreanof Island. Petersburg and surrounding communities may see a few more inches this week, but the pace will not match recent days.
Meteorologist Edward Liske stressed that a persistent cold spell is likely to endure through the remainder of the month. He cautioned residents to prepare for continued cold and potential additional snow,noting that a white Christmas remains a strong possibility unless temperatures rise unexpectedly.
The sequence of events follows a period of unusually warm and wet weather before December’s cold snap, illustrating how Arctic air and coastal snowfall can converge to produce dramatic, region-wide impacts.
Two questions for readers: How is your community coping with this season’s heavy snowfall? Do you see these patterns as a sign of longer-term shifts in Alaska’s winter weather?
Key Facts at a Glance
| Location | snow Accumulation As Dec 8 | Notable Records/Notes | Operational Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petersburg | 40+ inches | Dec 14: 16 inches; second daily record | Snow days; some closures; assembly postponed |
| Wrangell | ~9 inches | Significant weekend snowfall | Public services continued with caution |
| Kake | Over 1 foot in one night | heavy overnight accumulation | Service disruptions possible |
| Juneau | 9.2 inches (Dec 15) | Record daily total for dec 15 | City operations maintained; advisories in place |
As the region braces for continued cold, residents are urged to monitor local advisories and plan for ongoing winter conditions.Stay tuned for updates on snowfall totals and any changes to school or municipal schedules.
Share your experiences and tips for navigating this extreme weather in the comments below.
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Record snowfall Totals Across Southeast Alaska
As early December 2025, the Southeast Alaska region has logged unprecedented snowfall, breaking historic records in several municipalities:
- Juneau: 42 in (106 cm) by December 18 – the highest December total since 1978.
- Sitka: 38 in (97 cm) – a new city record for the month, surpassing the 1975 benchmark.
- Ketchikan: 31 in (79 cm) – the most accumulated snow in a single December since reliable measurements began in 1960.
Data compiled by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Management (NOAA) and the Alaska Climate Research Center indicate a rapidly deepening snowpack of > 5 ft (1.5 m) in alpine zones, setting the stage for a classic “white Christmas” across the panhandle.
Impact on Transportation and Travel
Highways & Roads
- Alaska Route 7 (Juneau-Douglas): Multiple lane closures, an average clearance rate of 1.5 in/hr due to limited snow‑plow fleet.
- Alaska Marine Highway (AMH) ferries: Delayed departures from Juneau to haines and Skagway; passengers advised to check the AMH schedule 24 hrs in advance.
Air Travel
- Juneau International Airport (JNU): Runway de‑icing operations extended to 14 hrs daily; flight cancellations peaked at 27 % on December 17.
Marine & Local Commuter Vessels
- Water taxis in Sitka: Operate on a “first‑come, first‑served” basis; icy conditions have forced the suspension of several routes.
Community Preparedness and emergency Response
- State‑Declared Snow Emergency (Dec 12):
- mandatory parking bans on designated streets to facilitate plow access.
- Activation of the Alaska Division of Homeland Security’s snow‑removal task force.
- Local Shelter Coordination:
- Juneau Emergency Shelter (JES): Capacity increased to 250 beds; thermal blankets and hot meals stocked for an expected 72‑hour power outage scenario.
- Sitka Community Center: Designated warming hub for homeless populations, with volunteer staff on‑call 24/7.
- Utility Resilience Measures:
- Alaska Electric Light & Power (AEL&P) pre‑emptively insulated critical power lines and positioned mobile generators near vulnerable neighborhoods.
- Alaska water Services deployed extra repair crews to address burst pipes caused by frozen ground.
Practical Winter Safety Tips for Residents
- Vehicle Readiness:
- Install winter-rated tires with a minimum 4 mm tread depth.
- Keep an emergency kit: shovel, sand/cat litter for traction, blankets, and a fully charged power bank.
- Home Protection:
- Insulate exposed pipes with foam sleeves and keep cabinet doors under sinks open to allow warm air circulation.
- Install roof snow guards on steep‑slope homes to prevent sudden slab releases.
- Health Precautions:
- Limit outdoor exposure to ≤ 30 minutes during peak wind chill (< -20 °F).
- Monitor local health alerts for hypothermia and carbon‑monoxide risk from generators.
- Community Alerts:
- Subscribe to the Alaska Emergency Alert System (AEAS) for real‑time snow‑storm warnings.
- Follow the Southeast Alaska Regional Coordination Center on social media for road‑clearance updates.
Economic impact: Tourism and local Business
- Winter Tourism Surge:
- Hotels in Juneau reported a 22 % increase in bookings compared to the same period in 2024, as tourists chase the “first white christmas” photo op.
- Local tour operators introduced “Snow‑Safari” packages, featuring guided snowshoe hikes on the Tongass National Forest trail network.
- Retail & Services:
- Hardware stores saw a 35 % rise in sales of snow‑removal equipment and winter apparel.
- Restaurants adapted menus to include “hot pot” and “fire‑roasted salmon” specials, boosting lunch‑hour foot traffic by 18 %.
Case Study: Juneau’s Snow Management Strategy
Overview
Juneau’s Department of Public Works (DPW) implemented a multi‑phase snow‑removal protocol that reduced average road‑clearance time by 28 % compared to the 2023/24 winter season.
Key Elements
- Real‑Time Tracking: GPS‑enabled plows transmit live location data to a central command dashboard, allowing dynamic route optimization.
- Public‑Private Partnerships: Contracts with local trucking firms provided supplemental snow‑blowing capacity during peak accumulation periods.
- community Engagement: Monthly town‑hall webinars educated residents on best practices for snow‑shoveling and reporting hazardous conditions.
Results
- Roadway Availability: 94 % of primary arterials remained open during the 48‑hour peak on Dec 16‑17.
- Emergency Response Time: 12‑minute average for dispatching snow‑clearance crews to reported blockages, a 6‑minute betterment over previous years.
Long‑Term Climate Context
The 2025 record snowfall aligns with broader climate patterns identified by the Intergovernmental Panel on climate Change (IPCC) for the Pacific Northwest: warmer sea surface temperatures produce moisture‑laden storms that, when interacting with the Alaskan coastal mountain chain, generate heavier snowfall events.
- Trend Data: From 1980‑2025, December snowfall averages in Southeast Alaska have increased by ≈ 0.7 in per decade.
- Future Outlook: Climate models project an escalating frequency of “snow‑storm combo” events-simultaneous heavy snow and strong winds-raising the importance of robust community resilience planning.
Sources: NOAA national Weather Service (Dec 2025), Alaska Climate Research Center (2025 Snowfall summary), Juneau Empire (December 15‑18, 2025), Alaska Division of Homeland Security Press Releases (Dec 2025), Alaska Electric Light & Power Operations Report (2025).
