Mushing & Blizzards = March in Alaska

"...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM AKST THIS MORNING..." (As opposed to 10 AM this afternoon?)

The weather guru at AccuHunch says it's the worst morning he's seen since he's been in Alaska. Since I don't know how long he's been here, I'm not sure what he means. Apparently D.O.T. is having trouble because the roads drift over as quickly as the plows go by.

Oh, well. It is what it is; we'll go to work like normal. If this weather stops you, you shouldn't be here. Either that, or you'll have a steep learning curve. Just keep to the right, please. :)

UPDATE: Visibility is poor, the roads are bad, some places haven't been plowed & the snow is over a foot deep in those areas. Blowing & drifting snow, plus passing autos make visibility down to 40 or 50 feet in places; there are intermittent white-out conditions.

TWO avalanches have closed the highway south of Anchorage, isolating the community of Girdwood. Drivers are being turned around on either side of the area.

Be careful out there, Alaska readers.

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Paul Gebhardt continues to lead the Iditarod this morning. Eight mushers have already scratched, on this second full day of the race. They're out of Rohn, and pushing toward Nikolai (see route map here).

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I guess I'd better dig out my hiking boots & parka. It looks rather wintry out there. Stay safe, warm & dry, folks.

Paul