The National Weather Service (NWS) has been busy during the holiday season, actively issuing Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Storm Advisories every day from Christmas through New Year’s.
Now, a small town in the United States has been hit by a record 80 inches, and more are on the way. That’s more than four times the area’s average snowfall for this time of year.
This city is Juneau, Alaska. Sure, Alaska may be known for its snowy and cold temperatures, but this is more snow than Juneau gets in a normal winter.
A U.S. city sees record December snowfall
Juneau isn’t used to this kind of snow, according to AccuWeather research. “While Alaska is known for its snowy weather, the city of Juneau received 79.8 inches (6.6 feet) of snow this month, compared with the historical average of 17.5 inches,” AccuWeather meteorologist and senior weather editor Jesse Ferrell said in a Jan. 2 feature. “The city only averages 87.8 inches (7.3 feet) of snow over the winter, so they’ve had almost a season’s worth of snow.”
Heavy snowfall is causing dangerous conditions in the area. According to the U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Region, ships and boathouses in local ports have collapsed due to the severe weather. “Heavy snow can quickly reduce stability and cause vessels to sink, causing property damage and pollution. We have responded to multiple sinking vessels,” they announced on Facebook.
Meteorologists say more snow is coming
The good news is that the snow is coming to an end, but AccuWeather meteorologists say another winter storm system will move into the area next week, bringing more of the white stuff.
“Under the influence of high pressure, generally drier conditions are expected over the weekend,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Alyssa Glenny. “However, another storm early next week could bring more snow chances to the area.”
According to the American Red Cross, in preparation for heavy snowfall, “gather food, water, and medicine ahead of winter storms.” In severe weather, they add, “stores may be closed and travel may not be safe. Organize supplies into go-out kits and stay-at-home kits.”
This article was originally published by Men’s Journal on January 2, 2026, and first appeared in the News section. Click here to add Men’s Diary as your go-to source.
