Alaska Swamped by Historic Snowfall: A ‘Pandemic of Snow’ Engulfs the State

With over 100 inches of recorded snowfall already, Anchorage has at least another two months of winter left. And some are saying that while Alaskans can handle their snow, this year feels like a “pandemic of snow.”

However, the highest snowfall was just a few years before, during the 2011-2012 winter, when Anchorage residents saw an incredible 134.5 inches.

So, local residents and weather experts alike are now assuming that this year, Anchorage is likely to break its record for most snowfall in one year. 

Typically, snow doesn’t fall when temperatures drop far below freezing. But for the first time since 1916, more than an inch of snow fell on Anchorage last week, even though the air was a frigid 2 degrees Fahrenheit. 

This declaration has enabled the opening of warming facilities for those who are homeless or lack reliable heating, showcasing the city’s efforts to protect its most vulnerable citizens during this challenging time. The emergency measures underscore the seriousness of the situation and the city’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents.

The Anchorage assembly convened in a special session, approving a contract to add 50 beds to a newly opened shelter, highlighting the city’s swift response to the escalating crisis.

To address the urgent need for shelter, the city has expanded its capacity, converting a former waste transfer site’s administration building into a shelter with an initial setup of 150 beds. This action is part of Anchorage’s broader strategy to provide temporary housing solutions amid challenging weather conditions.

The situation has been compounded by the implementation of six days of pandemic-era remote learning, adding to the community’s stress and highlighting the impact of extreme weather on education and daily life.

He shared a personal anecdote about the difficulty of locating his white car in the snow after just two days.

These disruptions demonstrate the broader impact of the severe weather conditions on the community, affecting not only daily commutes and safety but also the continuity of education for children.

Because the snow doesn’t melt in between storms, it stacks up on top of roofs around the city. And three roofs of three commercial buildings have already collapsed because of the weight. 

The department explained that snow can weigh up to 30 pounds per square foot, which means that for a 1,500 square foot home, the roof would have 45,000 extra pounds of weight.

And because one person died last year in Anchorage from a collapsed roof, it’s absolutely worth hiring someone to do the job. 

Popping, cracking, or any kind of creaking noise could certainly be a sign that the roof is struggling to stay up. But many people don’t know that jammed doors and windows could also mean the weight of the snow is literally pushing the structure down.

This precautionary measure follows the collapse of 6 roofs under the weight of the snow this winter, highlighting the potential danger to both property and human life. 

This amount of weight, equivalent to “about 8 full-size light-duty pickup trucks,” showcases the severe risk posed by accumulated snow on structures, underscoring the urgency of snow removal efforts.

The Anchorage Daily News reports that in 2023, 16 buildings experienced roof collapses, one of which resulted in a fatality.

In fact, local elementary school teacher Tamera Flores, likened the extensive snowfall to the COVID-19 lockdown, saying, “It’s a pandemic of snow.”

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy was delayed when heading to Juneau last week to deliver his State of the State address, thanks to a windstorm where gusts were moving as quickly as 105 mph. And Juneau is likely to get more snowfall this January than it has since 2009.

Additionally, temperatures in Fairbanks have plummeted to -40F or colder, affecting other communities across Alaska. These conditions illustrate the widespread nature of the extreme weather impacting the state, affecting multiple cities and towns with significant snowfall and frigid temperatures.

This situation has placed residents in dire circumstances, as reported by the Anchorage Daily News. 

Faced with freezing temperatures,  the Anchorage Daily News reveals that they managed to keep warm and prevent their water lines from freezing, demonstrating the strength and adaptability of individuals and families in overcoming the harsh conditions brought on by the winter.

Some are curled up by the fire, others are sledding local hills, kids are having snowball fights, and one family even built a 20-foot-tall snowman in the yard.

Fitts continued, “We can handle 100 inches of snow and still make it to work on time. We can put up with a lot.” And it seems they may have to if the next couple of months are anything like the last few!