Valley gets a frosting of snow

While last week's snowstorm caught some Valley residents off guard, meteorologists say Mother Nature is on schedule to provide a typical Alaska winter.

The first snow of the year arrived in the Mat-Su Valley last week, with some areas accumulating more than an inch of the white stuff. And according to Dan Keirns of the National Weather Service, it was right on time.

"Usually the first snow falls between the 8th and 15th of October," the meteorologist said. Last year, the first snow arrived on Oct. 10, less than 24 hours earlier than this year's. By the end of the month last year, much of the Valley had received about 4 inches.

These first snowfalls generally do not last more than a few days, or even a few hours. Temperatures last weekend were expected to hover around freezing, perhaps allowing some of the first snow to stick around.

"If the sun does come out, the roadways are black and will soak up the sunshine so the snow will probably melt," Keirns said. "But in the shady areas the white stuff is going to stay tucked in, around the trees."

By early this week, the snow was expected to be replaced by rain during the day and perhaps light snow showers in the evening.

As weeks progress, however, Keirns said he expects to see less and less of the "icy, mucky mess" Southcentral Alaska endured last year. And unlike recent years, this winter season will not be under the influence of La Nina or

El Nino.

"Really what we're having is a nothing year," Keirns said.

While last year was marked by flip-flopping spats of rain and snow that often left the Valley icy and wet, Keirns predicts this winter's cooler temperatures will bring more snow and less rain.

"More what we call a regular Alaskan winter," Keirns said.

This would be good news for highway maintenance crews at the Department of Transportation. Area Superintendent Kurt Devon said fluffy snow is much easier to handle than slush and freezing rain.

Last week's snowfall had DOT trucks on the road just a few days ahead of schedule.

"This is the weekend we switch over to winter operations," Devon said last Friday.

Devon said the first days of winter do not require as much plowing as later in the season.

"It's more sanding and we normally don't use our front blades. We just use our belly blades," Devon said.

As they eased down slippery, snow-covered streets, Valley drivers were forced to recall their winter driving skills last week. With permanent fund dividends arriving in bank accounts just the day before the first snow, many people shopped for snow blowers and switched summer tires for winter tires.

Around the Mat-Su Valley, winter was greeted with that expected mixture of regret and excitement. At Valley schools, children who remembered to bring coats, hats, gloves and boots made snow angels and snowmen.

"Everybody knows it's coming. It is nice to see something different," Devon said.

Some people say the sudden appearance of dry snow and chilly temperatures may bode well for a good winter of skiing and snowmachining.

"I don't think you can make conclusions like that," meteorologist Keirns said. "But I do think this winter will be different than last."