Paul Neal walks his dog, Taku, along the downtown waterfront during the first snow of 2018 on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018. Snow could possibly fall this week, but a meteorologist said it doesn’t seem likely. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Paul Neal walks his dog, Taku, along the downtown waterfront during the first snow of 2018 on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018. Snow could possibly fall this week, but a meteorologist said it doesn’t seem likely. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Snow possible, but unlikely this week

Some forecasts are showing flakes

Despite what a snowflake icon on a smartphone screen suggests, snow doesn’t seem to be likely to fall alongside temperatures this week.

Daniel Hartsock, meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Juneau, said capital city residents shouldn’t expect to wake up to white lawns despite predicted lows in the low 30s early this week.

Snow may be possible this week, but according to the National Weather Service, it isn’t considered likely. (Screenshot)

Snow may be possible this week, but according to the National Weather Service, it isn’t considered likely. (Screenshot)

“It’s going to be colder, but we’re not expecting any snow in Juneau,” Hartsock said. “Looking at our forecast, it does look like we have temperatures down to 31 degrees Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. If there’s precipitation, there’s a chance we could get a few flurries. There’s still very low confidence in that.”

He said at higher elevations snowfall may be seen, but the flakes aren’t anticipated in residential areas.

If any snow does fall, Hartsock said it wouldn’t be plentiful or long lasting.

“It wouldn’t stick or anything,” Hartsock said.

If Juneau does catch a few wayward flakes, it would be on the earlier side of the first-snow calendar.

Typically, the first snow of the year tends to happen in late October or early November, Hartsock said.

Within the past decade, he said the earliest snow has fallen is Oct. 15, and Hartsock said it doesn’t seem likely that will change this week.

“I think we’re going to stay too warm for snow,” Hartsock said.

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