Cybele Mayes-OstermanUSA TODAY
Alaska is on track to break snowfall records after Anchorage was blanketed with more than 100 inches − the earliest accumulation ever of that amount − collapsing roofs and closing schools.
The city, which was hit with almost 16 inches of snow over the weekend, has now had more than 8½ feet this winter, the second year to break the 100-inch mark. If the trend continues, Anchorage could break its all-time record of 134½ inches recorded in the winter of 2011.
"We're at the most snow for the season today," said Brian Brettschneider, an Alaska-based climate scientist for the National Weather Service. "We were up to 104.3 inches, and we'd never hit this amount before the end of January before."
Snow on the ground already reached a depth of 37 inches, Brettschneider said. "Even if we have the least amount of snow that we've ever had from this point for the rest of the winter, that would still leave us in the top five snowiest winters."
The stunning levels of precipitation have been a challenge for the snow-hardened city, leading to the collapse of three buildings already this year. And city officials warned of the persistent danger of heavy snow piling onto roofs, estimating in a snow removal notice posted last week that 500 to 1,000 city buildings have "roof trusses of immediate concern."
The snow's weight reached more than 30 pounds a square foot, meaning a 1,500-square-foot roof would be supporting the weight of "eight full size light duty pickup trucks," according to the notice.
Brettschneider said the snow on the roof of the weather service office had already reached 36½ pounds, just 3½ pounds under local building code requirements. "Certainly, we've had isolated problems with roof collapses," he said.
Residents scramble to clear treacherous roof snow
Many Anchorage residents worked to clear off the potentially dangerous roof snow.
Henry Lucas volunteered to help his elderly neighbors. "They have a really wide house," Lucas told USA TODAY. "It doesn't have very much pitch to the roof."
Lucas, 33, a construction worker, would rather wait for help to clear his own roof. "I need to have someone here with me. I don't want to do it by myself, just because it's high up."
Anchorage schools kept children home on Monday for a remote learning day. The city was also chilled to double-digit below-zero temperatures, and forecasts called for lows of minus 21 degrees this week.
Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson declared a public health and safety emergency that will remain in effect until at least Feb. 9 because of the frigid weather.
The low temperatures show no signs of stopping, Brettschneider said, with "temperatures that are significantly 20, 30, 40 degrees below normal" forecast through next week.
Winter's toll: US sees 91 winter weather related deaths
Other Alaska areas hit record high temps
In the midst of the hefty snowfall, other parts of the state saw record-high temperatures. Sitka Airport recorded a new record of 54 degrees on Sunday, and Ketchikan Airport tied a record of 55 degrees the same day, according to the National Weather Service.
Even with the record-setting highs, Sunday and Monday were the "coldest days statewide in four years, if you average for the entire state," Brettschneider said.
Juneau Airport also reached a record high of 46 degrees days after the capital city was hit with a winter storm warning that saw snow pile up to more than 5 feet. The snow caused route changes to the Juneau bus system and closed down in-person operations of city buildings last week.
The combination of heavy snow levels with record high temperatures threatened to trigger landslides and avalanches in the area. City officials warned residents to avoid avalanche paths on Wednesday after two avalanches blocked a local intersection.
A crew of Juneau firefighters rescued a person on Saturday who was pinned to the side of their house after a nearby creek that was dammed up by snow suddenly released, triggering a landslide.
Ice accumulation sinking boats
Ice in Juneau's harbors also caused at least four boats to sink as harbor officials pleaded with residents to check their vessels. Salvage operations for the sunken boats were underway, officials reported on Facebook.
Avalanche debris caused authorities on Monday to shut down Haines Highway, which runs from the town of Haines on the southeastern peninsula to the U.S.-Canada border. Severe weather also forced the closure of Thompson Pass, a scenic pass through a 2,600-high gap in the Chugach Mountains about 270 miles east of Anchorage.
Still, the chill didn't stop many Alaskans from enjoying the snow. In Anchorage, it paved the way for the rebirth of "Snowzilla," a 20-foot snowman that residents have brought back to life every year for a decade.
The snowfall brought winter sports right to Lucas' own backyard in the form of a snow-packed hill for sledding. "It's probably 12 or 13 feet tall," he said.
For longtime Anchorage residents such as Lucas, a heavy snowfall can be cause for celebration.
"I think it depends on how long you've been here and probably your age, if you have a lot of shoveling to do," he said. "But for most people, you live here because you enjoy the outdoors, the cold, the snow, the elements.
"I love the snow."
Contributing: The Associated Press
Cybele Mayes-Osterman is a breaking news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her on email at cmayesosterman@usatoday.com. Follow her on X @CybeleMO.
