National Weather Service in Juneau, Alaska

Nicole has been a meteorologist at WFO Juneau since April 2011, and moved into the WCM position in June 2023.

What do you enjoy about working at the NWS Juneau office? We don't get much severe weather here, which is fine by me, but that doesn't mean it isn't challenging! Models struggle with the complex terrain, so we add a lot of value above and beyond what the models generate, making us the trusted source for weather information. My favorite part of working and living in Southeast Alaska is getting out and enjoying the area, whether taking a small plane to visit partners in another community or in my free time. 

What do you like to do in your free time? Most days my kids and I take a walk or bike ride around the block. We'll even put on full rain gear and go splash in the puddles. Other activities we do as a family and a few hobbies that my husband does: going for a boat ride, camping, snow machine riding, fishing local creeks, hunting, softball in the summer, and league hockey in the winter.

What are some of your favorite places to go eat? A local restaurant on Douglas Island is one of our go-to spots to eat out with the family. Auke Bay is another place where we attend our favorite local bar, but right next door is a new brewery that is cool too. Nicole also mentions, "Alaska provides" It's pretty hard to go hungry in AK if you put in the work. Salmon is abundant in the late summer and can be fished by just walking down a trail nearby. Other seafood like crab and halibut can be a treat if you have access to a boat. Most people have a greenhouse for vegetables. If you go for a hike in July and August, you can fill up on blueberries and salmonberries.

Aaron has been with the NWS since 2002. As a Senior Service Hydrologist, he manages the flood forecasting and hydrology services program for Southeast Alaska. This entails working with water managers, emergency personnel, and other people involved with water and fisheries to improve hydrological services and messaging. He works closely with the USGS and local University, installs river gages, sets flood stages, and takes flow measurements. Aaron also performs hydrometeorology research to improve QPF forecasting and flood products. He collaborates with other researchers to improve remote sensing for hydrology operations along with other research dealing with impacts and forecasting atmospheric rivers, debris flows/landslides, and droughts.

What is your most memorable experience since you have been at NWS Juneau? First 5 months on the job I got a chance to take a tug and barge from Juneau to Yakutat. It was a 2.5 day trip with a stop in Hawk Inlet and then out to the NE Gulf of Alaska to Yakutat passing many glaciers along the way and the mighty Mt. Fairweather. I learned a lot about the area and customers' needs.

What are three benefits you’ve discovered about working here that you weren’t aware of when you started? 1. Such a nice town with so many nice people, very friendly 2. So close to the ocean and the mountains at the same time, so many kinds of activities to do 3. How hard it is to forecast here and then learn to put those puzzle pieces together correctly.

What is the most interesting thing about working here, and about the work you do? Working so closely with glaciers and then how they interact with flood forecasting for glacier dam outburst floods.

Kimberly has been the Observing Program Leader and the NWS in Juneau since 2002. Her position duties including managing the cooperative Observer program and other climate or observing sites. Her best advice to job seekers is to be willing to learn because Alaska is not a textbook. Kimberly's most memorable experiences while being here are the places she has been able to visit and the people she has met.

Tell us about a recent project you worked on or a nice encounter you had with a coworker. Developing the Observation Array, Alaska Region Newsletter. Getting the entire region involved has produced an interesting newsletter for our users and better awareness for all offices in the region to know what other offices do.

How does your current job compare with previous jobs you’ve had? I was at two different Weather Service Offices, for Alaska Region. In many ways the important things are still present: serve our community and provide the best service possible. My Navy time was before the National Weather Service, I take great pride in serving both.

Rick has been with the National Weather Service since 2006. One of his most memorable experiences while working here, was a line of summer thunderstorms that came down from the Yukon and rolled over Haines, the Haines Highway, Glacier Bay, and Icy Strait. The team used lightning detection and 15-minute visible satellite information. They got a Severe Weather Potential Statement and Special Marine Warning issued before the storm arrived at the affected areas.

How would you summarize what you do? I lead 1 to 3 other meteorologists on a rotating shift to forecast the daily weather as well as watches, warnings, and advisories.

What are some benefits you’ve discovered about working here that you weren’t aware of when you started? I get to live in Alaska, and that is VERY cool. We live and work in a National Park-like setting and for nature lovers, it does not get much better than this. Minimal concrete & steel and maximum nature. 

Tell us about a recent project you worked on. The most satisfying "projects" I have had here at the office involve taking someone with no experience with our computer system or Alaskan weather, training them, and then watch them become better forecasters than I am. It sometimes hurts the ego but is always rewarding in the long run. 

How would you describe us? We are a very casual office when it comes to the office environment and our interactions with our customers. When the population of the entire forecast area is only 60,000 people, we end up knowing many of them on a first name basis.

Edward has been a National Weather Service meteorologist in Juneau since 2008. He describes his job as trying to stay on top of and ahead of the complex and sometimes extreme weather that Southeast Alaska can throw at us. Some of his favorite hobbies include hiking, biking (both road and trail), geocaching, finding historical sites around town, fencing, board gaming, video gaming, and reading. His favorite trails include West Glacier Trail, Granite Creek Trail, and Herbert Glacier Trail.

What is your most memorable experience? The Jan 2013 earthquake occurred off Prince of Wales Island. I was just briefing the night shift in prep for me going home. Quake reached Juneau at that point. I remember the shaking was like being on a small boat in a rough sea and lasting about 30 sec. not quite enough to get us diving under tables, but it was close. The phone started ringing off the hook after the shaking stopped and tsunami warnings were put up for the entire SE Alaska coastline by the National Tsunami warning center. Ended up staying an extra 2 to 3 hours to help with fielding phone calls and coordinating with the National Tsunami Warning Center. Only a very small tsunami was generated thankfully.

What is the most interesting thing about working here? For me, it is getting to apply the geoscience and computer coding knowledge that I have in addition to meteorology. Glaciers are a big part of the hydrology of SE and the glacier dam lake releases are fascinating. There are also earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes to know about as well even though they are rare events. I have found my computer coding skills to be much improved since starting here as well.

Lance has been a meteorologist at WFO Juneau since 2020. He describes the work environment here as both casual and fast-paced (especially in Winter) with friendly colleagues & management, which helps to get through the days & nights a little bit easier.

How would you summarize what you do? I forecast the weather for the very beautiful & wild Alaskan Panhandle for the general public and our Core Partners for the protection of life and property.

What advice would you give a job seeker? Be sure that when you start working here, from day #1, you dedicate some significant time to try to get a good feel for the complex geography of southeast Alaska, because how well a forecaster has a grasp for the geography has a huge impact on the performance of our forecast products & the effectiveness of our communication of the forecast to the public.

What is your most memorable experience? My most memorable experiences, so far, have been the far record-breaking rises on the Mendenhall River from the Suicide Basin Jokulhaup (Glacially Dammed Lake Outburst Flood) event of August 2023, which caused devastating property damage and the destruction of some homes along the river as well as the record-breaking snowfall received in Juneau in January of 2024.

Greg has been a meteorologist at NWS Juneau since 2019. He would describe the office as a mixture between casual and friendly. While the office includes all professionals, many recognize that an office with good morale is a happy office. We’re fast-paced when the need arises, but that generally happens more or less in winter.

How would you summarize what you do? Forecast in support of marine, aviation, and land interests. Playing a key role in protecting the life and property of those who are significantly impacted by the weather.

What advice would you give a job seeker? Have something that makes you separate from the pack. It doesn’t need to be extraordinary, but pointing out ‘I have GIS skills’, ‘I have coding skills’ or ‘here are my proven communication skills’ will go a long way towards helping one differentiate themselves. Alternatively, a previous or current job that emphasizes an intense work ethic and commitment to improvement/development can be immensely beneficial. In addition, if you’re worried that your forecasting skills might not be up to par, don’t be. Forecasting for SE Alaska requires time spent in the area to develop the experience necessary. No meteorologist in SE Alaska starts as a forecasting expert.

What is your most memorable experience while you have been working here? Meteorology wise, the most recent March parade of powerful Pacific Storms smashing into SE Alaska without pause. Outside of meteorology, realizing that I’ve seen so many bears and bald eagles wandering around the area that it has become an almost every day occurrence.

What is the most interesting thing about working here, and about the work you do? The sheer challenge of forecasting for SE Alaska. The complex mountainous terrain, fjords, the array of inner channels, and the microclimates of our communities means that you have a real chance to be a forecaster here. Raw model data does not suffice, and the forecasters working on shift have a chance to make a genuine difference in the lives of tens of thousands of Alaskans every day.

What are three benefits you’ve discovered about working here that you weren’t aware of when you started? I live in an area that is more beautiful than many of the national parks in the Continental U.S. and looks like something out of a postcard. Hiking, biking, skiing, mountain climbing….all of these opportunities are just a few minutes away from where I live! The atmosphere also fosters a strong sense of community as exhibited by the variety of clubs that have sprung up. I can choose to go on vacation to places like Glacier Bay, Gates of the Arctic, etc. without having to leave the state.

When you tell people about your job, what’s one thing that surprises them, or gets them excited about the work you do? Even in a fairly quiet area like SE Alaska, we still get our fair share of radio interviews and the like. Communication skills, or the willingness to develop them, are essential.

Grant began his weather career in broadcasting where he worked as a local TV meteorologist for a little over 7 years after he received his Atmospheric Sciences degree from the University of Kansas. Grant made the decision to leave TV in March of 2020 to pursue the National Weather Service. In October 2020, Grant moved to Juneau from South Dakota with his wife and 2 kids. Grant states that he and his wife both spent time in Alaska and really enjoyed their time there. When the opportunity came up to work in Juneau, he couldn't say no. In their free time, Grant and his wife enjoy all things outdoors, so Juneau has been an easy fit he says.

How would you summarize what you do? I would like to say that I control the weather but...that is not what I do. To put it simply, part of what I do is help make the weather forecast and all that goes with it - warnings, advisories, watches, discussions - and another part is communicating that forecast to our partners and the public.

What is your most memorable experience so far? For me, I always get a kick out of seeing the reactions from the lead forecasters whenever lightning is detected. I’m from Kansas and worked in SD before I moved here. So for me, to see 10-15 thousand lightning strikes every 10 minutes during a severe storm outbreak is normal. Doesn’t phase me at all. But up here? If 1 or 2 strikes are detected, everyone gets all excited. And that will probably always make me laugh.

What are your thoughts about the NWS vision and direction, and your role in helping us achieve them? From what little time I’ve been in the NWS, there seems to be this vision of better communicating the forecast and weather information. Which makes sense. A perfect forecast means nothing if it doesn’t get delivered or understood. And as someone who has a background in communication, I am looking forward to helping with that vision.

How does your current job compare with previous jobs you’ve had? I got my weather career started in TV where I was a local TV weatherman for a little over 7 years. But once I found out all that the NWS had to offer and what the job was like, I knew I needed to make that career change. There’s so much less stress in the NWS, there’s a regular schedule, better pay, better benefits and even more jobs. Also the opportunity to do research and improve your knowledge of weather in an official capacity was a big perk for me.

What advice would you give a job seeker who’s thinking about applying for a job with us? The first thing I realized is that this job is so much more than forecasting weather. While I could attempt to make the perfect forecast, ultimately it will not matter if I do not communicate that message effectively to those who will use it. My advice to those applying is to brush up on your communication skills and be able to effectively convey complex information. People in Southeast Alaska are extremely dependent on our forecasts and will make decisions based on how we present our information.

What are three benefits you’ve discovered about working here that you weren’t aware of when you started? First thing I discovered in Juneau is the sheer beauty of my surroundings. Prior to coming to Alaska, I had seen pictures and videos, but it does not compare to the incomprehensible beauty of the landscape I see every day. I live and work in an environment which I can only describe as being straight out of a fantasy novel. The second benefit to working here is how intertwined the community is with the nature surrounding us. I can leave the local Costco, put my groceries in the car, and immediately step foot onto a trailhead for some exercise before heading home. Finally, I fully expected to not have modern conveniences similar to those in the lower states; however, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Juneau has everything I need. This community is the perfect blend of small town feel and bigger city services.

How would you describe us? Professional, casual, friendly, fast-paced, something else? This office has, by far, the friendliest atmosphere I have ever taken part in. Most coming to Alaska are leaving behind friends and family and I was no exception; however, those around me have been very welcoming and understanding. We are a casual office that likes to joke with each other, but when the need arises, we buckle down and focus on what matters to protect life and property.

Sean joined the WFO Juneau team summer of 2022 when he drove across the country from Woodbridge, Virginia. His journey began when he graduated with his BS from University of South Alabama in 2014. After working retail part time for several years, he decided to go back to school to recharge his understanding of atmospheric science. He earned his second BS from George Mason University in 2020. Sean then was accepted to grad school at UConn, but after one year, he decided to join the National Weather Service.

Outside of work, Sean enjoys board games and video games. He states that he also finds great comfort in hiking and various outdoor activities.

What advice would you give a job seeker who's thinking about applying for a job with us? This is a great office to apply for if you are looking for a challenge and have a sense of adventure. The forecast area that we are responsible for is vast and has incredibly diverse topography. This, coupled with the lack of observations upstream, means that most of the forecast we produce comes down to forecaster knowledge of the terrain, experience, and localized climatology. Be prepared to apply your meteorological knowledge but also be sure you are prepared to learn when you get here.

Benefits of living in Juneau? I thought I had a good idea of what to expect when moving to SE Alaska to work in Juneau, but nothing can really prepare you for the awe and joy of being surrounded by such amazing scenery every day. Even when we have low ceilings and rain (we are in a rainforest after all) that does not draw away from the beauty of the landscape. In a similar vein, despite being the state capital, Juneau is not built up like so many metropolitan areas in the lower 48. It definitely has more of a small town feel, and as such is not nearly as fast paced and hectic. You will feel like you are contributing to the office from the moment you start working here, and you often will find yourself learning something new every day. Coming in at ground level, I was prepared to be stuck in training for months before actually being able to be a productive member of the office. But by the second week here, I was already assisting with observations and proofreading statements for dissemination to the public. Coming from Northern Virginia and the sprawling suburbs of Washington DC I knew there would be a big shift in terms of the culture of the area here in Juneau. It has been, but in a good way. Juneau is less densely populated than what I am used to and that comes as a breath of fresh air. With the overall small town feel, you also get many more local shops and restaurants instead of national chains, and plenty of fresh seafood. There is no shortage of good eats in the area, just depends on what exactly you are in the mood for.

Spencer arrived at the Juneau Forecast Office in 2022. After graduating from the University of Utah in 2018, he began his weather career providing weather support as a ski patroller for four years in Utah. Along with weather support, Spencer worked as a contract weather observer at Salt Lake City International Airport. He states that he never thought he would end up working in a place like Juneau when first applying for NWS jobs.

During his free time, he enjoys spending time outdoors and exploring what Juneau has to offer.

What advice would you give a job seeker who’s thinking about applying for a job with us? From an outside perspective, it's a daunting task picking up everything you can and moving to Alaska. But the office is very welcoming and friendly and willing to help so that it does not feel as daunting. Don't be afraid to ask them for help with something or see if someone has an extra item that you might not have brought in the move.

What has been your most memorable experience while working here so far? In the first month of moving to Juneau, there was a significant rain event for the area. Coming from a dry climate, experiencing that amount of rain that fell in just a couple of days that led to a small landslide in Juneau was defiantly different.

How would you describe us? Professional, casual, friendly, fast-paced, something else? The office is definitely a professional office that can have a fast-paced environment when there is active weather occurring but everyone is friendly and casual and willing to help each other out.

Andy joins the WFO Juneau team from Arizona where his original career was fighting wildfires on an Initial Attack crew, and then later a Type 1 hotshot crew. While fighting fire and flying paragliders he became interested in meteorology and acquired a B.S. in Atmospheric Science from the University of Utah. After gaining 2 years’ experience in the private sector providing road/airport weather forecasts across the nation, Andy then was hired by the National Weather Service where he forecasts for WFO Juneau in Southeast Alaska.

What is your favorite thing to do when not working? Hang with my wife, baby, and also go spearfishing everyday all day.

If you get a job at WFO Juneau, how do you get here? Plan to take 2 weeks and take the ALCAN highway to Skagway, then the ferry to Juneau, you won’t regret it.  I had to do the drive in 2 days and I missed some really awesome experiences.

Nervous about the move and commitment to work/live in Juneau? Totally normal, I was also pretty nervous coming up here but once I was here and settled in, it was all worth it. Big change coming from the lower 48 but if you like being outside, this is the place.

Erin joined WFO Juneau in the summer of 2024. She started during her junior year of college and worked throughout her senior year as a pathways student while attending Iowa State University. She visited Juneau a few times and then made the drive up the beautiful AlCan after graduation to complete the student pathways program and transition to a general meteorologist. She found the pathways program to be a great experience that helped to easily transition to start her career with the National Weather Service.

What advice would you give a job seeker who’s thinking about applying for a job with us? If you are thinking about applying, do it! Juneau is a great place to live, especially if you like the outdoors. Take all of the experiences and opportunities that come your way. I would have never imagined that I would live in Juneau, but I really enjoy it and am glad that I applied. 

What was the most interesting thing about working here so far (maybe refer back to time you spent as a Pathways Intern), and about the work you do? Working at the Juneau WFO has given me a lot of experiences that I have not gotten before. Being from a small town in the Midwest, I learned a lot about marine environments and forecasting for a place with lots of elevation changes. The forecasting challenges of Southeast Alaska are very different from many other parts of the United States. Even with these challenges everyone works together and I have learned a lot. We also work only a few minutes away from a glacier! I am very grateful for this opportunity to work in a place with these new challenges and great scenery. 

How would you describe us? Professional, casual, friendly, fast-paced, something else? The environment here is very friendly. From the moment I came to Juneau everyone was very welcoming and willing to help. That has not changed at all. Forecasting for Juneau can sometimes be challenging and fast paced, but everyone works together and makes sure to ask if I ever need help with something. 

Zoe moved to Juneau from 'little ol' Rhode Island' where she has lived for a majority of her life. She graduated with a BS in Meteorology and Climate Science from the University of Delaware where she was president of the AMS Student Chapter! Besides working random odd jobs throughout college, she interned with CEMA ( the Center for Environmental Monitoring and Analysis) through DENIN (the Delaware Environmental Institute), specifically working with and updating their extensive climate database for the DelMarVa peninsula. The following summer, she participated in a pilot research project through her university focused on the Urban Heat Island effect in the 95 corridor region of Northern Delaware. Outside of work, she spends most of her free time playing video games, doing crosswords, or going to see live music. She also loves hiking and observing nature, which are both in abundance in Juneau!

What advice would you give a job seeker who's thinking about applying for a job with us? Be confident but curious; ask lots of questions! Putting yourself out there is always the hardest part, but it pays off. Learn from your mistakes, keep an open mind, and never stop pushing for more.

What was the most interesting thing about working here so far and about the work you do? The most interesting thing about working at the Juneau office I've found has been the amount of information available to glean a successful forecast for the region. There are so many products and resources, and many are also available to the public! Combining all the knowledge I'm able to gather from different sources helps me create a full picture for what may be going on in the atmosphere.

How would you describe us as an office; professional, casual, friendly, fast-paced, something else? The NWS Juneau office is filled with an incredibly friendly and welcoming team of like minded individuals from all different backgrounds. I felt immediately at home upon entering the office for the first time, and that feeling only grew stronger in the following weeks.

Caleb arrived at the Juneau Forecast Office in 2019. After graduating from Mississippi State in 2018, he started looking for NWS jobs that could fulfill his sense of adventure. Caleb states that he found what he was looking for in Juneau, Alaska. He also acknowledges that forecasting for Southeast Alaska is not a walk in the park and that he welcomes the forecast challenges. In his free time, Caleb loves taking advantage of all things outdoors from fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, and snowboarding to hanging out with friends at beach bonfires or brewery hopping. Caleb transferred to the weather forecast office in Nashville, Tennessee in December of 2023 to continue his NWS career and has since been deployed for the first time as an IMET.

What are three benefits you've discovered about working at NWS Juneau that you weren't aware of when you started?

1.) Working in this office, as a new hire, you are still able to play a key role in decision making, forecast building, and core partner relationship building. Many friends that are in the same position in other offices express that they aren't given as much freedom due to having to undergo long periods of new hire training.

2.) You don't have to live in an igloo when you move to Alaska! Before moving to Juneau, I had little knowledge of Alaska other than what I had seen on TV. To my surprise, Juneau is very modernized, bustling with tourism.

3.) Whether you drive, walk, bike, or run to work the office is a short distance from any housing in Juneau. This makes commuting to work very easy. Also, the office culture is very easy-going and friendly, allowing for a more casual dress code (my favorite) and open to new ideas and ways of thinking.

What advice would you give a job seeker? Realize that if you are not from the Pacific NW, you will be far from home. This is something to consider and know that long periods away from family and friends will be common. For me, family is everything so being so far away can be hard at times, but with a sense of adventure and new friendships made, getting through those hard times is a lot easier.

Food for thought: "We all die in a few tomorrows. We should leave this place content with the lives we’ve lived and the people and cultures we’ve experienced. Leave home — encounter the world around you. Learn — understand that marvelous creation. Then, and only then, and never forgetting where you came from, decide who you really are." -HomeStratosphere

Jon was the Warning Coordination Meteorologist for WFO Juneau from September of 2020-2022. Jon lead the efforts in coordinating with all our partners and users of NWS Juneau's products and services, as well as, planning, coordinating, and carrying out area wide public awareness programs for the general public.

How would you summarize what you do now? I left Juneau and moved down the Pacific coast a few miles. I am currently the Meteorologist-in-Charge at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in San Diego. The lessons learned and my experience with the people from Juneau and Alaska Region will stay with me the rest of my life. I am incredibly thankful for the time I got to spend working at NWS Juneau, and if you get the chance to work there I think you will too.

How would you describe us? Professional, casual, friendly, fast-paced, something else ?Juneau is one of the most tight knit offices I've had the pleasure of working at. Most people have left their family and friends to move to Southeast Alaska, this creates an environment of understanding amongst the team and second family like support system in the office. The workload of the office will always be driven by the mission, and at times it can be fast-paced, but it's always been a friendly environment in my experience.

What is your most memorable experience while you have been working here? My most memorable experience from Juneau was getting to work with local communities to prepare for significant weather events so they could be as ready, responsive, and resilient as possible. It doesn't matter where in Southeast Alaska you call home, weather is such a major factor people take it seriously, and want to work with the National Weather Service to prepare. I've never seen a more knowledgeable and interested public and partners.  You get to see how much of a difference you are making from day one and that will stay with you for the rest of your career.

Wes Adkins

Wes served as a Forecaster with NWS Juneau from 2012 through the summer of 2022. He lead both the media engagement and international coordination where he had a deep interest in creative communication and inventing new ways to provide decision support to partners. One of the things Wes enjoyed the most about his job is mentoring new staff in Alaska forecasting and professional skill development, but also identifying hidden talents and skills of fellow employees. He states, "Watching newer forecasters develop confidence in their professional skills and even in their unrelated life experiences is extremely satisfying." Aside from routine tasks, Wes also shares, "I excel in providing comic relief, enjoy exposing my coworkers to progressive new music, and co-head the committee to hire an office cat."

What advice would you give a job seeker? Alaska is definitely for the adventurous in developing your meteorological understanding. But also for those willing to leave a past life behind. Unless you're from Alaska or the Pacific Northwest, trips back to see families and friends will occur less often. And never hide your non-professional talents and know-how. Are you good at languages? Are you a master of photography? Did you take a drama class? Know how to operate a boat? Enjoy writing? Can you code effortlessly or tinker with computers? All of these are inherent skills that we welcome you to bring to the table.

What is your most memorable experience while you have been working here? After three or four years of development, our office released its first podcast in August of 2019 one eventful Friday afternoon. Watching all my colleagues' faces light up with joy, disbelief, and satisfaction and reading the glowing accolades on social media from our media partners and our public gave our team an incredible sense of accomplishment which I will never forget. It is the successful monumental, big creative projects which do not seem possible that most fill our team with confidence and drive. And we have many more in the future.

What are your thoughts about the NWS vision and direction, and your role in helping us achieve them? Our agency's pivot towards forecast interpretation to partners on expected impactful weather essentially creates an entire empty whiteboard ready to be filled with ideas. Since Alaska is so wildly different than any other part of our country, experimentation is a must. Even our failures become steppingstones for success in the future. I love taking an active role in developing new ways of how we can better meet Alaska's unique weather/climate decision support needs.

Why would anyone want to come work in Alaska other than the work itself? Alaska is like a big, small town full of can-do spirit without a lot of official know-how. Because of that, you can pretty much pick up anything you set your mind to. I've acted, sung, and danced in multiple theatre productions. I've DJed my radio show for 14 years at three different Alaska stations. I picked up a guitar and performed in two different music festivals. I've perfected a blueberry banana nut bread. I've spotted multiple Iditarod dog teams on the trail for Alaska media. Did I do any of this before moving to Alaska? No. You'll be surprised at the new enjoyments you discover.

Kayla was a meteorologist at NWS Juneau from 2020-2022 and now works at NWS Anchorage as a sea-ice specialist. During her time here she enjoyed the teamwork experience in the office. The NWS team works very well together and they all enjoy and respect each other.

How would you summarize what you did here? Each day, we complete a list of tasks that include quality checking observations, taking local precipitation & temperature measurements, and communicating with the public . Most days, we also forecast either the short term or long term weather and we forecast for 10 airports in Southeast Alaska.

What advice would you give a job seeker who’s thinking about applying for a job with us? My advice to a job seeker would be that working for the NWS is a wonderful opportunity, and working especially in Juneau is very unique and rewarding. Our forecasts impact people daily from whether someone plowing needs to be ready for a foot of snow to communicating with local towns on landslides or dam failures. We have a ton of training, so whatever you may not know now, you will learn on the job.

Cody was a meteorologist at NWS Juneau from 2019-2022 and is currently working at NWS Indianapolis. Cody loves forecasting and learning about how the atmosphere works. Southeast Alaska is one of the most complex areas in the country to forecast for with a very active weather pattern, mountainous terrain, and strong marine influence. His forecast skills have grown immensely since starting here. This is not an area where you can plug in a model in and it gets the forecast right. You have to be detail-oriented and use your meteorology every day. "For a science nerd like me, I love it."

How would you summarize what you do? Forecasting for one of the most complex areas in the country is an essential part of my job. However, there's a lot more to being an NWS Meteorologist than just forecasting the weather. I am a part of various office teams which aim to improve operations, deepen our understanding of the atmosphere, and better connect with core partners.

What advice would you give a job seeker who’s thinking about applying for a job with us? Forget any stereotype or preconceived notions you had about Alaska. Southeast Alaska is one of the most beautiful and unique areas you will ever live in.

What is your most memorable experience while you have been working here? My most memorable experience while working here was during the Dec 1-2, 2020 landslides. This was a career-defining event where everyone in the office had to be on their "A" game and work together to give vital, life-saving weather information to officials all over Southeast Alaska due to record flooding and deadly landslides. I remember coming on shift as the day shift forecaster. The forecast was going as planned as this was a well-advertised heavy rainfall event. Within an hour or so of starting the shift, we began getting reports of major landslides in Haines. We collectively put out a Flash Flood Watch and Flash Flood Warning for Haines. The lead was deployed to Haines immediately while I remained in the office taking calls and dealing with the forecast. That whole week was hectic as an emergency declaration was put out for the entire region. The quick response from our office combined with how well we worked with core partners and as a team made this week a success.

When you tell people about your job, what’s one thing that surprises them, or gets them excited about the work you do? Being a National Weather Service Meteorologist is very different from what most people think. When I tell someone I'm a meteorologist, most people just think I'm just a face on TV. People are surprised to find out we do more than just forecast the weather, like work on research projects, write Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts, or provide support to emergency officials during natural disasters.

Jason was the Informative Technology Officer for almost 7 years here at WFO Juneau. He rejoined the Department of Defense in 2021.

What advice would you give a job seeker? While the ITO position has a required background in various technologies, take time to learn the science/business of the agency that you will be supporting... even if just on a small scale.  It will help you identify what is important to the staff and communities.

What is your most memorable experience while working here? Loss of commercial power and a subsequent failing generator required us to buy all of the local UPS devices we could find and run them inline to our critical servers.   I still hear all of the beeping from the various devices from that day.

What are some interesting thing about working here? There are more trails than roads and we have a glacier that is less than two miles away from the office. The work is constant and keeps the day interesting.

How would you describe us? Professional, casual, friendly, fast-paced, something else? Staff at AJK is a "mixed-bag" of personalities... as with any other job.  The work is fast-paced and demand for IT time/focus is high.

David started his NWS career as an intern in Juneau in 2015. After getting a promotion to general forecaster at WFO Cheyenne in 2017, he returned to NWS Juneau as a general forecaster in 2018 after his wife took a tourism job. In 2020, he took his current position as a Physical Scientist with the Arctic Testbed and Proving Ground which is located at NWS Alaska Region HQ in Anchorage, Alaska.

How would you summarize what you do now? Much of my work revolves around improving the forecast process across Alaska Region. This can involve things such as subjective and objective verification of various forecast guidance (NBM, HREF, HRRR etc), developing training and tools geared to help make the forecast process more streamlined and efficient, and evaluating the utility of new and emerging tools/guidance. What I am most excited about is working on ways to communicate risk and uncertainty information using sound meteorological principles in ways that help our partners and stakeholders make better decisions.

What advice would you give a job seeker? Alaska is not only the "Last Frontier" physically, but also in the world of meteorology! There are relatively few observations, limited/no radar, and model guidance has severe limitations due to complex topography and being somewhat tuned to mid-latitudes. A very thorough understanding of foundational synoptic/dynamic meteorology is crucial to both forecasting and communicating weather hazards in Southeast Alaska. This shouldn't scare you off though...if you can forecast in SE AK you can forecast anywhere. There is so much left to be done in Alaska that may have already been implemented in the lower 48. If you remain humble, work hard, and look for ways to use your unique skills in a future-thinking manner then I really can't think of a better place.  

What was the most interesting thing about working here, and about the work you do? There were so many...I'll have to narrow it down! One thing that stands out is the outreach/travel. In most other NWS offices, you just jump in a car and drive an hour or so, give a spotter talk then come back. Working at NWS Juneau gave me the opportunities to travel to remote communities by boat or plane, spend several days there giving talks/meeting with partners and really getting to know the community. It's also probably the only NWS office where you can watch bear cubs wrestle for an hour in the parking lot on an evening shift!  

What are a few benefits you've discovered about working here that you weren't aware of when you started? I knew it was a beautiful place, but WOW! When the sun comes out there is not a more beautiful place on earth in my opinion. Where else can you literally sit on your back porch and watch a whale play a few hundred yards from your house in a bay surrounded by snowcapped peaks? It's an outdoor recreationist's dream. You're a 10 to 20-minute drive from world-class hiking that would put many a national park to shame. You can climb mountains, walk on glaciers, and fish to your heart's content. In the winter you will have your own ski area (basically just for locals) with great backcountry access. You will be spoiled for anywhere else! NWS Juneau is probably one of the best places to really hone your skills as a meteorologist. Because you have such limited or incomplete observations/guidance, it really gives you a chance to apply your meteorological skills in ways that you may not get to in other places. You're constantly having to put these disjointed puzzle pieces of the atmosphere together in ways that make sense meteorologically. Of course it can be frustrating at times, but it really does make you better if you can remain humble and learn from all your mistakes (because there will be many!).