Abundant snowfall brings problems and delights

WASILLA -- A great influx of snow over the last few days has caused equal amount of joys and woes among Valley residents. While winter sports enthusiasts, snow equipment dealers, and snow lovers of all types enjoy the powder tumbling out of the sky, many feel overwhelmed by the demands imposed by the inclement weather.

"There's a good chance we could either tie or break the December record for snowfall," said Dave Vonderheide, a forecaster for the National Weather Service, from Anchorage Tuesday. "Here at the office, we had 27.2 inches fall in the last seven days. The monthly record for December is 41.6 inches, and we've already got 34.8 inches." Vonderheide called last week's heavy snowfall "the classic Alaska 'surprise snow;' it just developed right on top of us."

The National Weather Service attributes the snow to a slow-moving, low-hanging weather system and a gust of cool air from the Gulf of Alaska that created a second, more active system layered above the first.

Vonderheide also noted that the average annual snowfall for Southcentral Alaska is 69.5 inches, and the Valley has already received 63.6 inches. "We're going to end up with a surplus, and it'll only keep piling up."

In addition, the powder falling in the Valley is an exceptionally dry and fluffy variant, with a snow load of 17.3 pounds per square foot. Thirty inches of snow of this consistency will melt to create 3.4 inches of water. Skiers, snowboarders and other snow lovers across the Valley are elated by the potential for winter recreation offered by this year's snowfall, especially considering the paltry accumulation during the last few years (last year produced a total of only 36.8 inches).

Snowmachine dealers are enjoying the sales and service boosts provided by the abundance of snow as well. "It's a better than normal year," said Korey Cronquist of Team CC Inc., which operates two stores in Palmer and Wasilla. "It's great for our snowmachine sales as well as our accessories and utilities department … we've already exceeded many of our goals."

The increased revenue and sales flow has forced Team CC to increase its staff as well. "We hired more employees," Cronquist said. "Every department is up."

Snow removal companies are also experiencing surges in business due to the weather.

"I had to raise my cell phone plan to handle all of the incoming calls," said Donovan Steffey, representing Stripe & Seal Inc. in Wasilla. This represents a radical change from the sparse snowfall and hard times that have afflicted those in the snowplowing business during recent winters.

"It's really been tough the last couple of years," Steffey said. "Snowplow companies have been able to make a living this year."

Although Steffey and other snowplow businesses are glad to have the extra business, they have been almost completely exhausted by the demands imposed on them by the constant calls.

"We've been plowing continuously for the last three days," Donovan said Tuesday. "I'm on almost no sleep."

Also taxed by the demands of the recent snowfall are towing companies, which work around the clock to aid drivers incapacitated by hazardous driving conditions. "The volume of calls is way up," said Jolene Watkins for Matanuska Towing and Recovery. "There are lots of vehicles in the ditch -- the biggest problem is people going too fast and winding up stuck on the side of the road."

Drivers everywhere are advised to take it slow and easy on the roads, and be patient when calling towing agencies for help.