Winter's coming; think snow safety

The cold of winter is about to hit the Valley with a vengeance, with a large storm from Siberia slated to smack into Southcentral Alaska beginning the middle of this week. This storm is forecast to bring sub-freezing temperatures as well as the possibility of the first snowfall in the Valley this winter.

The snowy season has kind of crept up on us quickly with the advent of this early storm, meaning many are still unprepared for the icy grip of winter. However, that doesn’t mean it’s too late to take steps to get ready for the coming chill.

Studded snow tires have been legal again since Sept. 15, and it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get them installed ASAP. Vehicles can also be winterized by checking wiper blades, topping off antifreeze reservoirs, making sure you’ve got an ice scraper handy and packing a winter survival bag. These bags should include anything you might need if trapped in a cold car: a sleeping bag, extra food and water and cold weather clothing such as hats, gloves and jackets. It’s also a good idea to keep a snow shovel in your car in case you or someone else needs help getting dug out of the ditch.

It’s also imperative that we realize that winter driving conditions mean it’s even more important to use caution on the roadways. Give yourself a little more time to leave in the morning, increase the distance you follow the car in front of you and reduce speeds in areas where ice and snow can accumulate.

A recent snowstorm in the Interior dropped several inches of snow on Fairbanks and caused the Parks Highway to become a nearly impassable mess. The conditions caused the Houston High football team to get stuck at home while waiting for the roads to clear, a good decision made in the interest of student safety. This delay served as a good reminder that fall is coming to an end and that it’s time to pay more attention to the roads.

Here in the local area, there have already been reports of vehicle accidents due to slippery roads, including one in which a car crashed after hitting an icy patch on the Knik River Bridge. Ice can form on roads even when they appear dry, so it’s a good idea to treat every road with a fair amount of caution and respect as the temperatures start dropping below freezing.

Here’s hoping the predicted snowfall gives outdoors enthusiasts much to celebrate with the return of skiable trails and the promise of snowmachine rides and sledding parties.

But let’s also recognize that it’s time to get serious about making preparations for winter safety.