Even by Alaskan standards, a lot of snow has fallen in Anchorage this winter. As of Tuesday morning, a three-day storm had dropped nearly 17 inches of snow. The storm pushed Alaska’s largest city past the 100-inch mark earlier than at any time in history.
This year’s snowfall marks the eighth snowiest ever—with a lot of time left in the season. The city appears on track to break its all-time record of 134.5 inches of the white stuff.
Even winter-savvy Anchorage residents tire of snow-filled streets and sidewalks, constant shoveling, and remote working and learning.
“It’s miserable,” says Tamera Flores. The elementary school teacher shovels her driveway. A snow pile towers over her head.
Last year, 107.9 inches fell on Anchorage. These back-to-back years of 100-plus inches of snow are the first since the mid-1950s.
This winter, the roofs of three businesses have already collapsed under loads of heavy snow. On Tuesday, a roof partially collapsed on a fourth building. No one was injured. The Anchorage Fire Department used the opportunity to remind residents of the importance of clearing snow off roofs. Last year, 16 roofs collapsed.
City officials sent notices alerting residents that snow loads exceeded 30 pounds per square foot on some roofs. “That is a lot of weight,” the notice read. It equated the weight on a roof of 1,500 square feet to that of “about 8 full size light-duty pickup trucks.”
Signs of roof distress include sagging as well as creaking, popping, cracking, or other strange noises. Sticking or jammed doors and windows might mean that snow is deforming the structure of the house.
A return to bitter cold is likely coming later in the week with below zero temperatures at night—possibly as low as negative 25º Fahrenheit on Thursday and Friday nights.
Anchorage isn’t the only city beset by near-record snowfalls this season. As of January 30, the capital city of Juneau had recorded nearly 70 inches of the frozen fluff. Eight boats in the city’s harbor sank due to the snow’s weight.
There’s also concern about avalanche threat in Juneau, according to forecaster Tom Mattice.
Some residents make the best of their winter storms. The recent snow deluge prompted one Anchorage homeowner to erect “Snowzilla,” a three-tiered snowman standing over 20 feet tall. Passersby stop for photos with the frosty monster.
God controls the Earth and everything in it, including the weather. (Psalm 147) He also graciously allows people to enjoy all kinds of weather.
“This winter is definitely rough,” Anchorage resident Damon Fitts says while shoveling his driveway. But he says Alaskans can take it. “We can handle 100 inches of snow and still make it to work on time. We can put up with a lot.”
He sends out His command to the Earth; His word runs swiftly. He gives snow like wool; He scatters frost like ashes. He hurls down His crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before His cold? — Psalm 147:15-17
