Another low snow year in Alaska is playing havoc with the world’s most famous sled dog race, at least for the start.
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race always begins with a ceremonial, fan-friendly start through the streets and trails of Anchorage.
But this year, the race’s chief executive officer says he’s worried there won’t be enough snow in Anchorage. Stan Hooley says the ceremonial start will be held “in some fashion” and is hoping Mother Nature will cooperate in the next few weeks.
Anchorage has a normal seasonal snowfall of 74.5 inches. This year, so far, only 25.8 inches of snow have fallen.
Meteorologist Luis Ingram says there’s no snow in the seven-day forecast.
The Iditarod board will decide Friday whether the official start will be 75 miles north of Anchorage as normal, or whether to move the start to Fairbanks, like the board did last year.
