Is snow on the way?

December 23 ,2005

DAWN DE BUSK\Frontiersman reporter

MAT-SU - Will residents in the lower elevations of Palmer and Wasilla wake up to a white or wet Christmas?

&#8220Let's say, there's a good chance that there will be snow on the ground on Christmas day,” said Scott McKim, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. &#8220There are spotty chances of snow through this weekend.”

With temperatures ranging from the mid-20s to lower-30s, it's likely that the time of day and temperature will dictate whether any precipitation falls in the form of snow, sleet or rain, he said.

Snow flurries could start as early as Thursday or tonight for Palmer and Wasilla.

Meanwhile Talkeetna, which already has an abundance of snow, is likely to see freezing rain or rain tonight, but the NWS predicts possible snow for Christmas day.

Sutton resident Lynne Woods, who serves on the Mat-Su Borough Assembly, said despite a forecast for snow Thursday night, the sky doesn't look socked in yet.

&#8220We have snow on the ground. We got a good bit around Thanksgiving, but when it got warm in Palmer, it snowed more in Sutton,” Woods said.

In Palmer and Wasilla, the lack of snow coverage on the ground might rob the romance of a white Christmas from some people. It also frustrates those who enjoy winter sports such as snowmachining, skiing and snowboarding.

Frank Pollard, an employee at Turner's Corner, said the number of people passing through on their way to Hatcher Pass has slowed since the warm weather melted away an earlier accumulation of snow.

&#8220Actually, it's down to 20 inches, and they closed it to snow machines on the Palmer side,” Pollard said. &#8220I think everybody is just waiting for snow to land. I'm still holding my breath. The weather people said it was supposed to. If you're taking a poll, we're saying, ‘Yes, we want snow.'”

Contact Dawn De Busk at 352-2252 or dawn.debusk@frontiersman.com.