The Weather - A Never Ending Topic of Discussion

30 January 2012
time

Sunrise at	9:44 AM	in direction	133°	Southeast
Sunset at	4:25 PM	in direction	227°	Southwest

Duration of day: 6 hours, 41 minutes (6 minutes, 39 seconds longer than yesterday)

We had severe cold for several days last week.  It was a cold January - in fact the 4th coldest January on record.  Sixteen days were record with temperatures below -40F.

What makes it even more interesting is that we are going into warmer temperatures, but not just the average warmer temperatures expected for this time of year (-25F to -20F), but 5F above zero.  I am tracking temperature carefully right now since this weekend is the start of the Yukon Quest: 1000 Mile International Dog Sled Race.  If the temperatures get extremely cold, it means great discomfort and danger for the mushers on Eagle Summit, through Central and Circle and long stretches of cold on the Yukon.

But when it is overly warm, it means dogs that are running at temperatures that are uncomfortable for them, soft trails, and possibly more overflow on the rivers.  I mentioned overflow once before when I talked about the road to Glennallen.  In the arctic and sub-arctic, it is the phenomenon of water flowing, freezing and then water flowing on top of the ice.  No matter how cold it gets, water will still flow.  Normally it flows below the surface of ice, but when it's been relatively warm, followed by intensely cold temperatures, the the quick freeze at the surface layers forces running water to flow up to the surface. 

I did not find many photos of overflow that weren't under copy right, but here are two links to good photos of overflow.  Baffin Island Survival Training and Arctic National Refuge in Spring.  And, I did find this in One Mean Dance Partner: How Mother Nature Twirls the Sport of Dog Mushing which is just perfect! 

Great Blog Article on weather and Mushing - Check it out!

The Yukon Quest is primarily a trail following waterways. ( Detailed description of the Yukon Quest Trail ).  This year, since it runs from Fairbanks to White Horse, it starts on the Chena River and ends on the Yukon River at Whitehorse.  From Central, Alaska to Eagle, Alaska, mushers are on either Birch Creek or the Yukon River for over 200 miles.

There are four summits that take mushers off the rivers and creeks, and exposes them to wind and extreme cold, but they are brief.  All other descriptions of trail conditions discuss creek crossing overflow, drainage overflow, river overflow and lake portages and overflow.  Overflow conditions vary throughout the day.  One musher may pass through a section with no sign of overflow while temperatures are still moderate, while others following later will have water up to their knees in the same location.

But, what I think about it for myself personally is that I will get a break from deep winter.  We won't burn as much wood.  The dogs won't need booties.  I can clean the back yard of dog poop and shovel the deck - all in relative comfort.   Sometimes the larger world of dog sled races, northern lights, and crystalline beauty is no match for cherished creature comforts.