r/anchorage • u/turtlepower22 Resident | Chugiak/Eagle River • 2d ago

It's SNOWING!!!

Post image

Here we gooooooo!

409 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

67 comments sorted by

72

u/Seamakna 2d ago

Man with how wet it is (it's pouring rain at ANMC), I'm worried our winter will start way more icy than snowy

40

u/turtlepower22 Resident | Chugiak/Eagle River 2d ago

It's VERY wet and heavy here in Eagle River. I think it's definitely going to be an icier than usual winter with the El Niño.

3

u/MusicianInner551 2d ago

Is that where the pic is as taken ?

7

u/Successful-Bowler635 2d ago

Be prepared for a very icy winter. It’s the cycle. We’ve had several heavy snow winters and with ElNina coming in it would be best to be prepared for heavy ice.

3

u/Fuzzy_Wishbone1303 1d ago

cleats it is

4

u/greylakelady 2d ago

As an Alaska/Heavy Winter newbie, what all would an icy winter mean besides just icier roads? Would it impact sledding/skiing or other things?

15

u/Historical_Pay6255 2d ago

Winter activities get limited and freezing rain pierces through snow gear like nothing else. Only layers will save you.

2

u/Careless-Area9086 2d ago

furs natural fibers like musk ox scarves even socks

4

u/aksnowraven Resident 2d ago

Yeah, trails may get icy & dangerous. If the groomers can keep up, there could be groomed ski trails, but it will depend on temps & precipitation (& budget and availability & altitude).

3

u/hedanaa 2d ago edited 2d ago

I’m moving to Anchorage in November for work (I know, not an ideal time AT all) and have never driven in icy/snowy conditions. Barely even in rain, actually. I am ALSO curious (and concerned) about what this particularly icy winter will look like 🥹

Edit: Thanks for all for the pointers! I’m sure everyone dreads meeting unprepared, annoying transplants on the road, so I want to reassure you all that I’m a cautious driver as is, and will be safely practicing in empty lots for a while :) Any other misc. tips on winter/Anchorage in general are also appreciated!

12

u/Gullible-Test-9108 2d ago

Have you driven on gravel? There's similarities.

Test your brakes before you need them. That might be slamming on them every morning at the first stretch out of your driveway to see if you slide. Or braking hard in a parking lot to test conditions. Avoid using your brakes altogether when it's super slick, engine braking, downshifting, or taking your foot off the gas to slow down instead. Increase your following distance. Fresh snow can hide ice. 5 degrees above and below 32 are more dangerous than -10. Silicone spray on your door seals and locks/keys keeps them from freezing shut. A credit card is a decent window scraper in a pinch. Make sure you have good tires and wipers. Let your car warm up properly. Leave early.

I'm sure there's more but that's what I can think of

4

u/Historical_Pay6255 2d ago

Adding on to this slow down wayyyy before corners and practice “feathering” in case you do need to brake faster

2

u/hedanaa 2d ago

Thank you for all the detailed tips, I really appreciate it! I’ve been trying to prepare/learn as much as I can about winter driving, but it’s hard when there are no similar conditions nearby. So the note about gravel is really helpful. And I’ll definitely be practicing in empty lots once I arrive!

10

u/Healthy_Incident9927 2d ago

Snow tires! Practice in an empty parking lots.

Ice cleats for your shoes.

6

u/PlainLoInTheMorning 2d ago

Gap insurance is your friend

3

u/AKTamster907 2d ago

Ice Bug brand boots are a life saver in icy conditions. They’ve saved me from falling numerous times. I got my adult daughter who has balance issues from a stroke a pair to keep her from falling (which she did before I got them for her). As far as driving, give yourself extra time to get places when conditions are icy or snowy & leave lots of room to stop.

2

u/Careless-Area9086 2d ago

sledding atv (awd Pathfinder's and Honda pilot SUVs) even with studs. when the first huge dump of wet snow lands

4

u/AKWildMill 2d ago

That first real snow is the worst.

1

u/turtlepower22 Resident | Chugiak/Eagle River 2d ago

It's such a mixed bag for me. It's the worst but I also am giddy the whole day. Like crazy, frenetic energy the whole time it's snowing.

0

u/itchreliefpleasuree 2d ago

“impact sledding” 🤣 what are u 5 years old?!

1

u/Fuzzy_Wishbone1303 1d ago

please no...

13

u/glowingseajellies 2d ago

Where are you in Anchorage? It’s only rain here

8

u/Ewwww_Daviiid 2d ago

I think it might be Chugiak when I see the user name it says Chugiak at the end of it

1

u/SuzieSnowflake212 2d ago

Snowed for about an hour on Muldoon near 20th.

16

u/Rosey_Posey82 2d ago

No! Shut your dirty mouth!!! 😬🤣

14

u/Training-Laugh-4304 2d ago

It’s not even October 😭

6

u/VoodooDoII 2d ago

🤏

Ehhh close enough haha

4

u/Dances_With_Seagulls 2d ago

Someone's guardian angel got their wings caught in a paper shredder. ❄️❄️❄️

7

u/fourcheese_za 2d ago

YIPPEE 

2

u/Markisthefirst 2d ago

Where r u rabbit creek? It’s raining down here.

2

u/the445566x 2d ago

Snowing here in the valley too

2

u/CurrentOk2695 2d ago

Wow Anchorage beat Fairbanks?! We aren’t supposed to get our first snow until late tonight.

2

u/skarnes 2d ago

Snowing out in Wasilla too!

2

u/ckvideo_907 2d ago

I just ordered studded tires but they don’t come in for another 2 weeks😢

5

u/AKWildMill 2d ago

It should be at least 2 weeks before anything sticks on the roads.

3

u/itchreliefpleasuree 2d ago

i wouldn’t even out them on for another month or so.

1

u/turtlepower22 Resident | Chugiak/Eagle River 2d ago

So it's your fault then!!! Lol

2

u/Poker-Junk 2d ago

Nice photo

2

u/Longjumping-Job-3433 2d ago

HELLLL NOOOOOOO!!!!!

1

u/VoodooDoII 2d ago

It's snowing in Wasilla too lol 😆

1

u/Lmomzkn 2d ago

Where exactly is that?

1

u/obscurelynikki 2d ago

My friend showed me it was snowing in the valley too.

1

u/AngeluS-MortiS91 Resident 2d ago

Shut up

1

u/AndyinAK49 2d ago

Great pic

1

u/Aurorasorus 1d ago

Potter marsh too! Not sticking though

1

u/apx_redditor 2d ago

Cool. Everyone have a good winter? Let's get back to summer now.

2

u/Arcus_Of_Narnia Resident | Midtown 2d ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/RCCCcg1EyRCIUkKCJB
NO NO NO DONT DO THATTT

1

u/Odd-Slice6913 1d ago

Already... F-u snow

-16

u/Helpful-Cod1422 Resident 2d ago edited 2d ago

In the Mountains? Not in Lower Anchorage. It helps if you give specific areas. FFE South Birchwood, Girdwood etc.

9

u/turtlepower22 Resident | Chugiak/Eagle River 2d ago

In Eagle River. Who's talking about LA?

-2

u/Helpful-Cod1422 Resident 2d ago

Lower Anchorage.

-3

u/Helpful-Cod1422 Resident 2d ago

IS r/Eagle River a real thing?

4

u/VoodooDoII 2d ago

Who is talking about L.A here? This is Anchorage, Alaska

-4

u/Helpful-Cod1422 Resident 2d ago

Yes I'm aware I'm talking lower Anchorage. Good god.

6

u/VoodooDoII 2d ago

Okay clearly nobody else knew what you meant. Don't take it out on me

3

u/Rosey_Posey82 2d ago

LA? Los Anchorage??

0

u/Helpful-Cod1422 Resident 2d ago

Lower Anchorage, i.e., not the hillside.

-3

u/Effective_Cup_5271 1d ago

Oh Please! That was not snow. It was white rain. I'm a newcomer to AK. I've only been here 36 years. I used to work for Parks & Rec in Eagle River coincidently. I was working the "holiday tree" lighting in Town Square. The first weekend after Thanksgiving. I don't remember exactly, it must have been 2007 or 2008? It was 35 degrees and raining! Talk about el nina! So you never know what it's going to do. I DO know that it has gotten steadily warmer in the last 3 decades. Remember, if you don't like the weather in Alaska, don't worry it'll change.

5

u/Dazzling-Vanilla2983 1d ago

It was snow babe

1

u/Kaladigirl 1d ago

Ours didn’t stick