In a shocker, that caused uncertainty in the stock market, the temperature rose above zero today for the first time in weeks in Fairbanks. Most people didn’t know what to do with themselves, we just stood outside looking up at the sun wondering if we will actually be able to take off our long underwear this week.
“The low for the day is forecast to be -17, and we should see temps climb up to -11. The current temperature is forty degrees below zero…”
Say what?! I don’t know about you, but in my world that makes the low a chilly -40.
They aren’t fast… but they move a lot of snow…
The White Pass & Yukon Railroad’s steam powered rotary plow clearing a path out of Skagway, Alaska on 27 April, 2011.
This silent, black & white 16mm clip, is of a steam powered rotary plow near Anchorage, Alaska sometime between 1924-1930. This footage comes courtesy of the University of Alaska – Fairbanks Film Archives.
The Yukon Quest starts this Saturday. The 1000 mile international sled dog race runs between Whitehorse, YT and Fairbanks, AK.
In recent years, mushers have often run their dogs at night, trying to keep them from overworking in the heat of the day. That will not be a problem this year, at least at the start of the race, as temperatures are expected to run near -40F/C.
There are 26 teams competing in this year’s Yukon Quest.
Another La Carrera Panamericana runner is on the auction block. A 1956 Dodge Lancer Custom Royal D500, which is said to have won the Pan-American race twice, as well as the Silver Sate Classic Challenge once, although no details are provided.
The classic Dodge sports a 315 ci Hemi, with 67,000 miles, and a push button 3-speed transmission.
The car is for sale on ebay out of San Diego, with a reserve not met.
While the Lower 48 celebrates Groundhog’s Day, Alaskans can thank their legislature for giving us Marmot Day!
Alaska has three species of marmot: The woodchuck, the hoary marmot and the Alaska Marmot. That last species is found only in the 49th State.
It’s a well known, historical fact that if the marmot sees its shadow on February 2, it means the ice will go out earlier on the Tanana, and an arctic fox will get an easy meal on Marmot Day.
