COLD is spelled CHILL

C is for CAR.  When the temps drop below -25, cars require a lot of extra care.  If you have a diesel, this temperature is way below the requirement to plug your car in.  Synthetic oils will help them start better, with less need for the oil heating pan.   If you’ve ever visited Alaska in the summertime and inquired about the posts in front of local, government and private buildings, these are “plug-ins” to keep cars running in the cold winter months.  This becomes crystal clear when you have forgotten to take an extension cord outside to your vehicle and discover it’s not going to start anytime soon…

H is for HEAT.  People frequently ask how we survive the cold winter months.  I liken it to what folks in hot climates do; they go from air conditioned homes to air conditioned cars and air conditioned buildings.  We travel in reverse—from warm heated homes to warm cars, and then to warm buildings.  At least in theory.

I is for ICE.  Mind you, it does not necessarily need to be cold to have ice.  All kinds of temperatures can create ice.  Somehow, the excessive cold creates something called hoarfrost.  It is beautiful, but reminds one just how cold it is outside. 

L is for LOCKS.  All kinds of things go wrong when there is a nice warm temperature inside a house or car, and there is a lock on the door outside at an extremely cold temperature.  Just be sure you have a lock de-icer handy so you can get inside where it’s warm.

L is for LUCK.  Winter preparation is critical to survival in the frozen North.  Many people gamble on the weather (like not stocking firewood, insulating doors and windows, or not winterizing vehicles) and others will step up to help them in their time of need.  Lucky for them, that is another unwritten code for Alaskans who will stop to rescue those whose cars have flat tires or died no matter what temperature it is. 

Frigid Fairbanks

 

 

 

 

Headlines of Fairbanks, AK newspaper

As the front page of the Fairbanks Daily News Miner reminds us of the cold snap, some people, mesmerized by the idea of living in such temperatures still ask, “What’s it like at 40 below? In pictures, I’ve recreated the last few days for just this question.

6 am perspective on the day: ice fog and blowing snow

Temperature at 6 am

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Things just don’t work as well during this kind of weather.  For example, cars refuse to start.  A word to the wise–do not rent a car in Anchorage during extremely cold weather unless you inquire as to whether they are suited for travel out of town.  Most Anchorage rental car agencies do not generally offer winterization (i.e. a plug in) for vehicles that may travel north.  One of our guests had their own car from Canada that required an entire day with a space heater on the block to try to heat it up enough to start after being left overnight in 40 below temperatures.

You will see cars with hoods open, and other people stopping to help; it is an unwritten rule that you stop to help someone who’s car is stopped along the road (summer or winter, I might add).  Perhaps this is part of the comradery of living here, an empathy of having been in the same situation where someone stopped to help them too.  Are we better for it?  I think so.

 

 

But I digress.  Ah, there is the beauty of stark contrasts.  The following photos document today’s weather:  still 40 below, but relatively clear skies.  Is it these views that create the wonder that keeps us here?

10 am sunrise coming over the hills

View from the University of Alaska: clear and (still) cold